For the past couple of years, the City of Dublin has recognized outstanding individuals and groups who have contributed to the wellbeing of the citizens in Dublin. A series of awards are given through a Volunteer Recognition Ceremony: The Young Citizen of the Year Award, The Organization of the Year Award, and the Mayor’s Award. Since the pandemic has become less severe recently, the city of Dublin decided to host this year’s ceremony in person, unlike last year, when it was over Zoom. This year, it was on Thursday, March 3rd, at the Shannon Community Center.

Student representatives of Breaking BEARriers Youth Organization pictured at the 2021 Volunteer Recognition Event. Pictured from left to right: Mayor Melissa Hernandez, Angelina Wu (10), City Council Member Shawn Kumagai, Summer Shi (10), Anthony Li (10), Jessica Wang (10), Vice Mayor Jean Josey, and City Council Member Michael McCorriston. Photo courtesy of Christy Li.

Breaking BEARriers is a Tri-Valley-based 501c3 organization focusing on giving back to the local community. Over the past year, Breaking BEARriers has implemented numerous projects: a local book drive, free summer tutoring classes, farm work at Fertile Groundworks farm (Livermore, CA), and COVID test kit assembling. Due to all the help that the high schoolers of Breaking BEARriers have given back to the community, the organization has won the Dublin Organization of the Year award for the second year in a row. 

“Being able to see students collaborate and bring the community around them together is an incredibly unique experience,” reported Christy Li to the Shield, one of the adult founders of Breaking BEARriers Youth Organization. She has supervised and participated in many club events, acting as a mentor for the students in the club by introducing them to opportunities both within and outside the club.

“The most rewarding thing about being a part of the Breaking BEARriers club is being able to see the reactions of everyone we help,” mentioned Anthony Li, a sophomore at Dublin High School and one of the student co-founders of the organization. Li is often seen leading and participating in club activities as the co-President of Breaking BEARriers.

In addition to the extra publicity and award plaque from the event, Breaking BEARriers also received a donation from the city of Dublin of $500– in which the organization can either choose to donate to their chosen non-profit organization or keep to fund future club projects.

Aside from the student representatives from Breaking BEARriers, many other Dublin High School students attended the recognition ceremony. Their respective clubs and efforts were also recognized by being nominated by the city. Such clubs include ABCD (Any Body Can Dream) Club, Above and Beyond Leadership, Friends of Dublin Library, and the Dublin chapter of Hindu Swayamsevak (HSS). Congratulations to all clubs and organizations for their hard work this past year!