Si se puede echoed throughout St. Cajetan’s during the Auraria Peace and Justice Awards ceremony of the 2009 Latino Leadership Summit on March 31.

Yes it can be done is the motto on the United Farm Workers and the fifth annual summit was centered on the legacy of community activist Cesar Chavez, who founded the UFW.

Chavez, a native of Arizona, was a nationally recognized Latino civil rights activist who fought for equality for migrant farm workers concerning wages, health care and working conditions. Chavez was known for his nonviolent approach to leadership and protest that included marches, boycotts and fasts. When he passed away April 23, 1993, more than 40,000 mourners paid their respects.

The Peace and Justice Awards were given out to Latinos who “embody the work and legacy of Cesar Chavez,” said emcee Ramon Del Castillo, Chicano/Chicana studies chair and associate professor.

Metro State political science major Celia Reyes-Martinez was honored with the Student Award for her leadership in community activism. “It is such a great honor to receive this award” said Reyes-Martinez who began studying Cesar Chavez’s work in middle school.

Reyes-Martinez’s motivation for community activism began in her childhood when she worked in the fields picking fruits and vegetables. “I saw all the social injustice there was in the community and wanted to do something.” Reyes-Martinez is the chair of the National Cesar Chavez Blood Drive Challenge at Metro State.

The Staff/Faculty Award went to Koreeña Montoya, an educational case manager at the University of Colorado Denver, and the Community Award was given to community organizer Jerry Durran.

In addition to the awards ceremony, the summit included a breakfast, luncheon and workshops. The event concluded with the Auraria March for Peace and Justice, which included a blessing by Grupo Tlalo, a group of Aztec dancers.