Loaves and Fishes Leader Named to Cabrillo Board

Margarita Cortez, a product of Watsonville schools who came back to the community after getting her master's degree, is the newest member of the Cabrillo College Board of Trustees.

Cortez, the executive director of Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes food pantry, was selected over UC Santa Cruz professor Pedro Castillo following an extensive interview process at the board's meeting Tuesday evening in Watsonville.

Cabrillo Trustee Gary Reece acknowledged that it was a tough choice and praised Castillo, then nominated Cortez for the position.

"I was struck very much by Margarita's story and her coming back to the community," Reece said.

Cortez, the youngest of 10 children raised by a single mother who immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico in the 1960s, spoke about the value of education and the importance of access to schooling. Although her mother supported Cortez's education, the older woman never learned how to read or write.

Cabrillo has campuses in Aptos, Watsonville and Scotts Valley, and serves about 17,000 students annually. But the school has been hard-hit by state budget cuts, causing the cancellation of classes and upping enrollment costs. Current trustees warned both Cortez and Castillo whoever was selected for the board will have a tough job.

"Supporting and defending Cabrillo College is key to me," Cortez told the board.

Two of Cortez's employees from Loaves and Fishes spoke in support of her.

Maria Gonzalez, the cook at the food pantry, said in Spanish "she has made me, the volunteers and the workers feel special .... I assure you Margarita is a very well-prepared person to take this position because of everything she's accomplished and done."

Vicky Caballero, in Spanish, told the board "one of the reasons that I am in front of you was all of the beautiful things expressed about this man (referring to Castillo) .... I also wanted express beautiful things about Margarita Cortez."

Several elected officials came out to support Castillo, who has been a Watsonville planning commissioner and sat on several city boards in addition to his tenure at UCSC.

"He knows how to be a good listerner as well as a decider and a decision maker" Watsonville City Council Member and retired Watsonville High teacher Lowell Hurst said. "I would recommend him to you."

Daniel Dodge, another city council member, spoke highly of Cortez before throwing his support to Castillo.

Tony Madrigal, a Santa Cruz City Council Member and spokesman for state Assembly Rep. Luis Alejo, read a letter from Alejo in support of Castillo. Madrigal, Watsonville Mayor Eduardo Montesino and former Mayor Antonio Rivas all said they back Castillo.

Cortez will join the board immediately, filling the vacancy left when longtime Trustee Rebecca Garcia retired last month. The position will be up for election in November.

The board also honored Garcia at Tuesday's meeting.