Photos of the 2011 Spirit of Hope Celebration are here!

See them on our Flickr page.

Winner: Kara Bobroff of Corrales, founder and principal of the Native American Community Academy (NACA).

Second Place Honoree: Kim Posich of Albuquerque, Executive Director for the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty.

Winner: Anna Nelson of Albuquerque, Executive Director of the New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community.

Second Place Honoree: Liz Thomson of Albuquerque, volunteer with the Center for Development and Disability, EPICS (Educating Parents of Indian Children with Special needs), the NM Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, and National Association of Councils on Developmental Disability.

First Place Honoree: Marcella Gurule-Sandoval of Santa Cruz, UNM College and Student Relations fellow for the Hispanic College Fund and New Mexico Hispanic Youth Institute.

Second Place Honoree: Monica Hoeper of Las Cruces, AmeriCorps member at the Court Youth Center.

First Place Honoree: Cesar Miranda of Pajarito Mesa, volunteer with the Pajarito Mesa Community Organization.

Second Place Honoree: Javier Portillo of Albuquerque, peer educator in sexual and physical health at the South Valley Academy.

Alice King Public Service Award

The Alice King Public Service Award honors a public leader who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to and service for New Mexico’s children and families. The late Alice King, wife of former Gov. Bruce King, dedicated her life to advocating for children and is credited with the creation of the state’s Children, Youth and Families Department.

Patty Jennings and Polly Arango Citizen Advocacy Award

The Patty Jennings and Polly Arango Citizen Advocacy Award honors a New Mexican who has demonstrated outstanding community service in advocating for New Mexico children. The wife of state Sen. Timothy Jennings, the late Patty Jennings had a distinguished career as an advocate for early intervention, special education, and other services for children with special needs.

Polly Arango, beloved mother and long-time member of the NM Voices Board of Directors, was a passionate advocate for special needs children and their families. She was a successful advocate as well as founder of Family Voices and Parents Reaching Out.

Polly and Patty often worked in tandem to make New Mexico a better place for children.

Amy Biehl Youth Spirit Award

The Amy Biehl Youth Spirit Award honors youth aged 13 to 26 for their outstanding contributions in the public interest. Amy Biehl, a graduate of Santa Fe High School and a Fulbright Scholar, died in 1993 while working to end apartheid in South Africa.