A Pittsburg college is looking for the next Cesar Chavez -- three of them, in fact.

Los Medanos College is preparing to host its annual "Celebrating the Life of Cesar Chavez" awards ceremony at the end of March. The ceremony honors Chavez as "a true American hero, (who) exemplifies service to community and nonviolent social change."

As part of the ceremony, the college will be awarding three honors in Chavez's name:

  • The LMC Cesar Chavez Award for Exemplary Community Service is awarded to a local citizen who best exemplifies the core values of service to others, sacrifice, helping the most needy, determination, nonviolence, tolerance, respect for life, celebrating community, knowledge and innovation.

  • The East County Educator Award honors a local educator who demonstrates those same values as well as a "commitment to student success and educational equity, particularly for low-income students and students of color."

  • The Chavez Spirit Award seeks an "emerging leader" making an impact in advocacy and social justice.

    Residents can nominate somebody by going online to www.losmedanos.edu/chavez/nominate or contacting Eileen Valenzuela at evalenzuela@losmedanos.edu or 925-439-2181, ext. 3103. The deadline for nomination is March 15.

    The awards ceremony is open to the public and planned for March 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the college's Music Recital Hall at 2700 E. Leland Road in Pittsburg.

    Contact Sean Maher at 925-779-7189. Follow him on Twitter at @OneSeanMaher.