Portola Community Unites for Mental Health Awareness and Scholarship Support
PORTOLA, CA — November 3, 2025 — The Plumas & Sierra communities are invited to come together for the “Steps for Stability: Mental Health Awareness Walk” on Sunday, November 16th, a community event dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and raising funds for the Juan Hinajosa Memorial Scholarship for Portola High School seniors.
The event begins at 10:00 a.m. at the entrance to the City of Portola Riverwalk with a 1.2-mile loop, encouraging participants to take a reflective walk through Portola’s scenic riverside. Along the path, community members can visit mental health resource booths, collecting passport stamps and learning about local programs dedicated to wellness and support.
After the walk, participants will gather at the Portola Veteran’s Hall from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for lunch, raffle prizes, and guest speakers. Speakers include Camila Schweyer, President of Rotary Interact at Portola High School, and Brando Cesena, Portola High alumnus and founder of the Juan Hinajosa Memorial Scholarship.
The event is supported by the Rotary Club of Portola, PHS Interact Club, Peer Improvement Movement, Gumba’s Pizza, Eastern Plumas Health Care (Senior Life Solutions) and the PHS Boosters Club. Together, these organizations hope to strengthen community dialogue around mental health while supporting local students in memory of Juan Hinajosa, a PHS graduate remembered for his compassion and love for the community.
Register and see payment options with the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBboeCoNKZ2sjrQwKDXPbfISvAERd3F4-mPL-hdh13H0WVew/viewform?usp=header
Tickets are available for $20 (adults) and $10 (students/kids). Raffle tickets are available for $5 each. Each event ticket includes coffee and a pastry at the start of the walk, lunch at the Veteran’s Hall, a raffle ticket, a passport book, hand warmers, a swag bag, sticker, and a water bottle.
All proceeds will go directly to the Juan Hinajosa Memorial Scholarship Fund, with a fundraising goal of $250 to $1,000.
“Even a modest goal of $250 is a meaningful contribution to a student’s future, but reaching $1,000 could truly be life-changing,” said Brando Cesena. “Every step we take together honors Juan’s memory and supports mental health awareness in our community.”
Community members are encouraged to walk, donate, or volunteer in support of this important cause.
Event Details
Date: Sunday, November 16, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Portola Riverwalk (10-11AM) on East Riverside Avenue near S. Gulling St Bridge and Veteran’s Hall (11-12PM), 449 W Sierra Ave Portola, CA
Tickets: $20 Adults | $10 Students/Kids | $5 Raffle Tickets
Proceeds benefit the Juan Hinajosa Memorial Scholarship Fund for Portola High School seniors
Register & see payment options here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBboeCoNKZ2sjrQwKDXPbfISvAERd3F4-mPL-hdh13H0WVew/viewform?usp=header
PORTOLA, CA — November 3, 2025 — The Plumas & Sierra communities are invited to come together for the “Steps for Stability: Mental Health Awareness Walk” on Sunday, November 16th, a community event dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and raising funds for the Juan Hinajosa Memorial Scholarship for Portola High School seniors.
The event begins at 10:00 a.m. at the entrance to the City of Portola Riverwalk with a 1.2-mile loop, encouraging participants to take a reflective walk through Portola’s scenic riverside. Along the path, community members can visit mental health resource booths, collecting passport stamps and learning about local programs dedicated to wellness and support.
After the walk, participants will gather at the Portola Veteran’s Hall from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for lunch, raffle prizes, and guest speakers. Speakers include Camila Schweyer, President of Rotary Interact at Portola High School, and Brando Cesena, Portola High alumnus and founder of the Juan Hinajosa Memorial Scholarship.
The event is supported by the Rotary Club of Portola, PHS Interact Club, Peer Improvement Movement, Gumba’s Pizza, Eastern Plumas Health Care (Senior Life Solutions) and the PHS Boosters Club. Together, these organizations hope to strengthen community dialogue around mental health while supporting local students in memory of Juan Hinajosa, a PHS graduate remembered for his compassion and love for the community.
Register and see payment options with the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBboeCoNKZ2sjrQwKDXPbfISvAERd3F4-mPL-hdh13H0WVew/viewform?usp=header
Tickets are available for $20 (adults) and $10 (students/kids). Raffle tickets are available for $5 each. Each event ticket includes coffee and a pastry at the start of the walk, lunch at the Veteran’s Hall, a raffle ticket, a passport book, hand warmers, a swag bag, sticker, and a water bottle.
All proceeds will go directly to the Juan Hinajosa Memorial Scholarship Fund, with a fundraising goal of $250 to $1,000.
“Even a modest goal of $250 is a meaningful contribution to a student’s future, but reaching $1,000 could truly be life-changing,” said Brando Cesena. “Every step we take together honors Juan’s memory and supports mental health awareness in our community.”
Community members are encouraged to walk, donate, or volunteer in support of this important cause.
Event Details
Date: Sunday, November 16, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Portola Riverwalk (10-11AM) on East Riverside Avenue near S. Gulling St Bridge and Veteran’s Hall (11-12PM), 449 W Sierra Ave Portola, CA
Tickets: $20 Adults | $10 Students/Kids | $5 Raffle Tickets
Proceeds benefit the Juan Hinajosa Memorial Scholarship Fund for Portola High School seniors
Register & see payment options here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBboeCoNKZ2sjrQwKDXPbfISvAERd3F4-mPL-hdh13H0WVew/viewform?usp=header
