29th Annual Queer Youth Leadership Awards
Saturday, May 9. 2026
5:30-8:30 PM
Pajaro Valley High School, Watsonville
- 5:30-6:00 pm: Community Resource Fair
- 6:00-7:00 pm: Catered Buffet Dinner
- 7:00-8:30 pm: Awards Ceremony
Honoring & Celebrating Queer Youth Leaders and their Allies
Simultaneous Spanish Translation provided
Join us in celebrating and honoring queer youth and allies on Saturday, May 9, 2026 for the 29th Annual Queer Youth Leadership Awards.
Join us for the 29th Annual Queer Youth Leadership Awards as we honor LGBTQIA2S+ students and their allies throughout the county! We can’t wait to host you for a night of celebration and fun at Pajaro Valley High School in Watsonville. Come early for the resource fair at 5:30pm, then enjoy a delicious catered buffet dinner by D’La Colmena Catering at 6:00pm.
This year we will recognize our brave LGBTQIA2S+ youth for their activism and authenticity while we reflect on the progress and milestones of our youth over the past 29 years. Our 90-minute awards show starts at 7:00pm and includes live music, dance, and inspiring videos from our nominees. We look forward to you joining us in celebrating our LGBTQIA2S+ youth and allies in our in-person event.
QYLA 2026 Welcome Statement from Dr. Heather Contreras, Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD) Superintendent
- “Pajaro Valley Unified School District is delighted to host the 29th Annual Queer Youth Leadership Awards at Pajaro Valley High School! This event shines a bright light on LGBTQIA2S+ youth and the allies who lift them up, celebrate their voices, and champion equity…” Read more
Special thank you to:
- Pajaro Valley High School Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA)
- Pajaro Valley High School Associated Student Body (ASB)
- Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD)
- Julie Brusa, Activities Director, Pajaro Valley High School
- Brigitte Fantham & Marcela Portales, Co-Advisors, Pajaro Valley High School Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA)
- Chrissy MacLean, Director of Equity, State & Federal Programs, Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD)
- Dr. Heather Contreras, Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD) Superintendent
- Kyle Vasquez, Artistic Director/CEO, Renegade Theater Co.
- and the entire QYLA 2026 Core Production Team
QYLA is produced by the Queer Youth Task Force (QYTF), a fiscally sponsored agent of the Diversity Center, and co-sponsored, in part, by the Pajaro Valley High School Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA), Pajaro Valley High School Associated Student Body (ASB), and Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD).
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QYLA 2026 Flyer for Schools
