A lifetime of service in Ceres as a police office, elected city official, and Ceres High School administrator earned Louis Arrollo the “Citizen of the Year / Lifetime Achievement Award” Friday evening.
The Ceres Chamber of Commerce presented the award at its 57th annual banquet at the Ceres Community Center.
Other nominees for the award were Sally Lara, owner of Alfonso’s Mexican Restaurant and Shane Parson, a local businessman and owner of Diamond Bar Arena.
“I’ve been in Ceres most of my adult life and Ceres has been good to me, mainly because of the people who live in Ceres,” said Arrollo. “And the people in Ceres have always responded when we needed assistance or help, through the service clubs, or just personal, the citizens of Ceres have responded and that is what makes the city what it is. And to me, the city of Ceres is probably one of the greatest in the Central Valley and it’s all because of people like you who come and attend events like this and show your support not only for what’s happening here, but to the city of Ceres. So I’m internally grateful to all of you. And I appreciate the honor that I’ve been bestowed upon.”
When Arrollo’s family moved to Ceres in 1957, they were among the first permanent Hispanic residents. From 1963 to 1984 he served as the first Hispanic officer in the Ceres Police Department. Arrollo retired as a police commander in 1984 and became a teacher at Ceres High School from 1984 to 1988 and Dean of Students from 1988 to 2001. He was elected to the Ceres City Council in 1985, elected mayor in 1987 and reelected in 1989. He was reappointed to the City Council in 1998, and ran for mayor again and was elected in 1999.
As mayor he was the driving force in the building of the skate park inside Smyrna Park as a diversion from drugs and gang activity.
“The quality of Ceres has always been at the forefront of his motivation for it to succeed,” said last year’s award recipient Bret Durossette.
The evening included the installation of new Chamber board members and the announcement of other awards.
Distinguished Service Award
Winning the “Distinguished Service” award were Felipe and Yesenia Martinez of MFH Tattoo Studio who are actively involved in community events such as organizing the Día de Los Muertos celebration and participating in the Christmas parade, Halloween celebrations, city night market and numerous other city hosted events.
Volunteer of the Year
Joseph Estrada, varsity football coach and president of the Ceres Jr Bulldogs Youth Football and Cheer Organization, was bestowed the Chamber’s “Volunteer of the Year” award.
Estrada has been a pillar of community for more than 17 years, volunteering numerous hours for youth and community events. His service includes coaching, youth football, participating in Love Ceres, helping with setups at the Ceres cemetery, supporting the Ceres Christmas Parade, and assisting at CUSD school events.
“More than a coach, Coach Joe is a mentor, a role model, and steady presence for children who need guidance,” said Nason Sanchez, who announced Estrada as award recipient. “He believes academics come before athletics and reminds players that being a good student matters as much as being a good athlete. He is known for his open ear, quiet generosity, support, offering advice, helping children get school clothes, giving rides and assisting families in difficult times. He never seeks recognition, he gives from his heart.”
In 2025 Estrada suffered a major heart emergency while working at a local school. Doctors found five blockages, and he had to undergo emergency quadruple heart bypass surgery.
“The day he was released he went straight to the field to see his football and cheer kids,” said Sanchez. “Coach Joe’s life is defined by service, resilience and heart. Giving back is just something he does. It’s who he is every day.”
Estrada was grateful for the honor and noted that he treats all the kids in his league “like my own.”
“I don’t need recognition for what I do in the community,” said Estrada. “I never wanted that. I give from my heart and I believe God kept me here to mentor our youth. It’s not about the win or the trophy – it’s about the longevity of our kids to grow up to be civil human beings in our community and I’m gonna keep fighting for them. I’m not gonna stop. I believe in it and I promise you I will make a difference in our community.”
Others nominated were Bianca De Los Reyes, a Ceres High and Stanford University graduate who mentors high school students, typically first generation or low-income students as they apply to college; and Ray Smith an active member of the Ceres Lions Club.
De Los Reyes worked to establish the very first young STEAMers (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) program in the Valley and is working on establishing more within the 209 area. She works at a diabetic clinic in Modesto, serving patients and aims to continue to study medicine.
Smith is known for his cooking and has prepared tri-tip and breakfast meals for many organizations at Ceres events including the Raise the Bar fundraiser, Lions Club Crab Feed, Ceres Cubs wrestling, Love Ceres and Ceres Street Faire. He has supported the local high school booster clubs’ dinner, cooked for National Night Out, assisted with parking at the Stanislaus County Fair, and prepared tri-tip for Stanislaus County Sheriff’s K9 fundraisers.
Young Citizen of the Year
Dominic Martinez, an 11-year-old Sam Vaughn School was named “Young Citizen of the Year.”
Martinez was cited for being a volunteer for Love Ceres, Ceres Police holiday events and the Ceres Street Faire. He has helped to hand out food to the homeless during Christmas. He assisted his dad, Vice Mayor Daniel Martinez, in delivering donuts and coffee to police officers and firefighters and helped Councilwoman Rosalinda Vierra and Ceres Police officers to distribute backpacks and school supplies to children in need.
At his school he actively participates in the kindergarten buddy program, helping to ensure that kindergartners are paired with older peers so they can become acclimated to school and feel supported.
Also nominated was Alina Raya, a Central Valley High School freshman who is active in FFA and a myriad of other community activities. She serves as an ambassador for ‘She Became,” an organization dedicated to empowering young women throughout Stanislaus County. Raya is an active member of FFA and attends leadership conferences and is raising a rabbit to show at the Stanislaus County Fair. She is also a cheerleader for the Central Valley High Hawks.
Small Business of the Year
Muscle Mechanics Training Center won “Small Business of the Year” up against nominees Divine Dental Studio and Modern Urgent Care.
Owner Andrew Garcia started a kids’ health training program at his gym a little over a year ago and now trains kids as young as three years old. He also has a special needs kids program to train at his gym for free. Muscle Mechanics Training Center also has training programs for adults as well.
Large Business of the Year
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, which was introduced to Ceres in 2023, won the “Large Business of the Year” honors for giving back to the community by supporting local school and sporting events, and participating in Chamber of Commerce mixers and activities.
Turlock Irrigation District, which has been in business for 138 years, was also nominated.
Legacy Award
The Legacy Award, designed to honor individuals and/or businesses that have contributed through service, support or volunteer efforts in Ceres for more than 40 years, went to 92-year-old Shirley Conover.
Conover has been a participating homeowner on Ceres Christmas Tree Lane since she and husband Bert purchased their home on Vaughn Street in 1966. Christmas Tree Lane had been a tradition since 1961 but as of 1965 only five houses decorated for the occasion. The year after the Conovers moved in, the Christmas Tree Lane Association was formed in 1966 with 10 houses decorated. Today the event finds the participation of over 80 households on Christmas Tree Lane and has expanded to five blocks and incorporates an annual community parade.
“We still have fun together,” said Conover in accepting the honor. “And we do Christmas Tree Lane, and I love it, and every year we just come up with something different, try to.”
Also nominated was the CUSD Foundation, a dedicated non-profit organization, is committed to fostering continuous support for supplemental programs and opportunities. It was established in 2004 by former CUSD superintendent M. Robert Adkison. Since then it has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships and classroom teachers for instruction.
First responder of the Year
This was the first year the Chamber has given out a “First Responder of the Year” award which went to Fire Captain Joe Spani who began his career with the Ceres Fire Department in 2007. Since the city turned over fire service to Modesto, Spani has served as a captain with Modesto Fire Department.
He serves on the Central Valley Incident Management team as the public information officer, and principal officer for the Modesto City Firefighters Association Local 1289.
Joe served as a Ceres firefighter secretary/treasurer for eight years. He has been married to his wife, Sabrina, for 12 years, and has two daughters, Olivia and Claire. Along with his family he donates time and resources to support local causes like Trunk or Treat and an annual Turkey Drive. During the Ceres Street Faire he is often found serving loaded tots.
The other nominee, Ceres Police Chief Trenton Johnson, was cited for being a lifelong Ceres volunteer and supporter. He has been a volunteer at Love Ceres, helped organize the Ceres Hot Air Balloon Festival and the Ceres Street Faire and commonly shows up at community events to offer his support.
Chamber President Brandy Meyer said Johnson volunteers to work in dispatch center when needed, at night and sometimes on the weekends, and volunteers to work a patrol beat.
“Chief Johnson could just focus on the police department and his officers, but instead, he participates in the community as well,” said Meyer. “He shows up. If he is not volunteering, he still shows up and he participates in events in our community. He doesn’t take off the badge after his shift and go home. He shows his support as a police officer and as a citizen of Ceres. When he wears his badge, he’s professional friendly and kind.”
The awards were based on online community votes until the final day of 2025.
Since 1969, the Ceres Chamber of Commerce has recognized individuals for their service to the community; business and civic attainment on a local, state, national or international level; leadership; awareness of the needs of others; and distinctive accomplishments that have brought favorable attention to Ceres, their industry or organization.
