The City of Davis announced today the recipients of its three signature awards for 2024, the Thong Hy Huynh Awards, the Environmental Recognition Awards and the Golden Heart Awards.

2024 Thong Hy Huynh Awards 

Established in 1986, the Thong Hy Huynh Memorial Awards recognize local individuals or organizations promoting civil rights, civic engagement or positive human relations that are helping improve the quality of life for Davis residents and visitors. The awards are in memory of Davis High School student Thong Hy Huynh, who was stabbed to death 41 years ago this month, on May 4, 1983. This award helps to raise awareness for diversity, community, social justice and equal rights. This year’s winners are:

• 18 Years and Older: Pattie Fong and Annie Louise Temple
  
  

  Pattie Fong is a volunteer co-lead of Currents, which is the quarterly newspaper serving Yolo & Sacramento AANHPI communities for decades. Most recently, she researched and collaborated with Yolo County Supervisor Frerichs to rescind the racist anti-Japanese American resolution covering Yolo County, and she co-led Day of Remembrance to provide education about Japanese internment camps.

  Annie Louise Temple is a long-time Davis resident and a Jewish woman who is married to a Palestinian man. She has two children who are Jewish and Palestinian. This past year, driven by the atrocities faced by children, who could easily have been her own, Annie has bravely organized with other members of the Jewish community as well as the broader Davis community to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and advocate against both Islamophobia and antisemitism. Annie also was one of the organizers for an interfaith vigil where over 100 diverse Davis citizens ranging from Jewish community members, Muslims, Christians and others came together to share words of grief, pain and action. Annie's tireless efforts in support of social justice and diversity, ensuring that Davis residents of all faiths and ethnicities feel supported, safe and heard.

• Under 18 Years Old: Chavez “CJ” Millican
  
  

  CJ Millican is an upstanding student with undeniable character. His views on diversity allows for collaboration with others from different backgrounds and multiple perspectives. As the communications manager for the Black Student Union, CJ fosters connections within the club and as a member of the Davis community, CJ values himself as an inclusive and accepting person who does his best to acknowledge all others and encourage togetherness. CJ has unfortunately had firsthand experience with NOT being acknowledged for his humanness. Regarding social justice, CJ has a heart for all marginalized minorities and is hopeful that the leaders of our country will someday reflect its citizens more so than currently. 

• Community Group: Aggie House
  
  

  Aggie House is a student-led, student-run, transitional housing shelter for UCD students facing housing insecurity or homelessness. Since 2021, Aggie House has helped over 60 students get into more permanent housing and has had over 100 dedicated student volunteers. 

2024 Environmental Recognition Awards 

Started by the City of Davis Natural Resources Commission in 1995, this annual awards program encourages and recognizes community efforts that benefit sustainability, environmental objectives and overall improved quality of life in Davis. This year’s winners are: 

• Individual/Group Award: Davis Manor Neighborhood Council (DMNC) and Creative Action Team (CAT)
  
  

  Comprised of a dedicated team of creative neighbors, Davis Manor Neighborhood Council and Creative Action Team has shown exceptional environmental initiative and improved quality of life in the Davis Manor community. Based on the nomination by Cool Davis, the DMNC and CAT, “over the last decade, have contributed greatly to neighborhood environmental and social resilience, which in the face of climate impacts is a model for other neighborhoods in Davis.” This neighborhood group has supported implementing a traffic calming circle and associated street mural, tree planting and maintenance to expand the urban forest tree canopy, actions to improve stormwater resilience and planning for an update to the N Street “pocket park.” 

• Business Award: Roots of Happiness and Blaze Pizza
  
  

  Root of Happiness has been a “front runner” in complying with state and local environmental regulations for waste, composting and recycling. Nominator Lauren Martinez commented, “Environmental sustainability, litter control within and outside the kava bar and waste diversion compliance are top priorities for Root of Happiness staff. Additionally, the restaurant fare includes plant-based beverages, organic snacks, and fruit.” According to one of their customers, “Root of Happiness provides an excellent space for people who want an alternative to traditional bars and makes Davis a more approachable and eclectic town.” 

  Blaze Pizza, located in downtown Davis, is a business dedicated to the “Farm to Fork” movement. Blaze Pizza has excelled in waste-diversion measures and has staff trained in hand sorting recycling and compostables from the customer areas and the back of the house each day, in compliance with City standards. According to nominator Nadia Upshire, the restaurant has made a point of serving the needs of the UC Davis community and hosts special events to provide low-cost food to students and community members through special events and discounts.

• Nonprofit Organization Award: Community Mercantile and Stephanie Koop
  
  

  Ms. Koop, co-founder and co-owner of Community Mercantile, has built this thrift store based on the principal purpose of waste stream diversion through recycling, sustainability and concern for the planet. The NRC nominating committee noted that “thrifting” is a significant trend in Davis, and this non-profit is a model for other businesses. Nominator Larry Fisher said, “Stephanie helped to create Community Mercantile with the understanding of the need to balance consumption with nature, and to give a second chance for items slated for the landfill. She encourages all people to incorporate the Ghandi philosophy of ‘be the change’ into their daily efforts. I can think of no one more deserving for the City of Davis award.”

2024 Golden Heart Awards

In memory of Andrew Mockus, who was tragically killed in 1992, the City Council adopted the Recreation and Park Commission recommendation to create the Golden Heart Awards as a way to recognize outstanding youth in the community, especially those students who are not typically recognized in other forums. This year’s winners are: 

• The Community Service Golden Heart Award: Siena Calciano, ninth grader at Harper Junior High School, and Summer Lee, 12th grader at DaVinci Charter Academy
  
  

  Siena Calciano excels in academics, athletics and volunteering. Siena has volunteered over 300 hours in various activities, including assisting children at summer camps, planting trees at school, raising money for sports uniforms and helping new students adjust to middle school. She is also active in Girl Scouts where she recently received a Silver Award for her project to increase monarch butterfly habitats in Davis. 

  Summer Lee is an inclusive leader and fosters a sense of belonging for all students through her work as an Associated Student Body Officer, Da Vinci Charter Academy Advisory Board Member and as a School Recruitment Representative. 

• The Personal Challenge Golden Heart Award: Benjamin Haffly, sixth grader at Korematsu Elementary School, and Antonio Smith, twelfth grader at Da Vinci High School 



Benjamin Haffly exhibits positivity and resilience when faced with an unexpected cancer diagnosis and ongoing treatment.

Antonio Smith has remarkable perseverance and a positive attitude. Despite facing personal challenges like losing his mother and caring for siblings, Antonio excels in academics, takes on leadership roles and supports his peers, demonstrating a true spirit of an unsung hero. 

Press contact: Barbara Archer, barcher@cityofdavis.org, 530-400-3418 

###

Attachments:
2024 Thong Hy Huynh Awardees.png
2024 Environmental Recognition Awardees.jpg
2024 Golden Heart Awardees.png