City Hall and non-essential city services are closed Monday, January 19, 2026, in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. Residential trash pick up on Monday will occur as usual.
It is my honor to recommend Valeria Jimenez for this award which recognizes students who embody Dr. King’s legacy. Valeria’s commitment to equity, dignity, and service is not only inspiring—it is unwavering.
For four years, she has volunteered with A Gift for Teaching, ensuring that students in underfunded schools have the tools they need to thrive. Her work reflects a deep belief in the power of education and compassion. As an intern for Florida State Representative Johanna López, Valeria amplified community voices and advocates for access and inclusion. She is a volunteer tutor every summer in a local charter school, a volunteer participant in Teen Court, and is a leader volunteer each Thanksgiving at a very large food bank distribution site. Even while experiencing and navigating a personal hardship—becoming a caregiver after her mother’s accident—she remained devoted to serving others and committed to the cause, by not stopping, but kept right on going, demonstrating remarkable resilience, determination and empathy. This example just further explains and supports Valeria’s life’s philosophy that: “serving others is a way to connect with people, and helps me to understand how I can make a difference.”
Valeria leads with heart. Whether organizing service projects through the Spanish National Honor Society or supporting families at the Orlando Science Center, she shows up with kindness, listens deeply, and creates space for others to succeed. Her leadership in organizations like ASPIRE to Excellence and Minority Leadership Scholars further reflects her dedication to justice and unity. Valeria doesn’t just talk about change—she lives it. She is a servant leader, a bridge-builder, and a young woman whose quiet acts of kindness ripple outward. She is exactly the kind of student this award was meant to honor.