A select group of local high school students read their winning essays around the theme “Voices of Change: Empowering Children, Families and Community,” during the 14th annual memorial breakfast for the late Cesar Chavez Monday.

The event held at the Hilton Bayfront hotel was just one of several events in the month of March to celebrate the labor leader who brought attention to the plight of farm workers and fought for increased wages and better working conditions. Chavez, who would have turned 85 this year, was born on March 31, 1927.

Next Saturday, on Chavez’s actual birthday the Commemoration Committee is hosting a Community Celebration at Chicano Park in his honor from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m..

In addition to the students, the Cesar E. Chavez Commemoration Committee Memorial Breakfast featured United Farm Worker President Arturo Rodriguez.