Thursday, October 1, 2026
On Oct. 15 at 7 p.m., the Long Beach Latino Civic Association honored several individuals at Minnesota’s restaurant for their contributions to the community.
More than 100 people turned out to recognize City Councilman Len Torres, along with Rosa Maria Goeller and Miguel Rodriguez, who received distinguished awards for their various contributions to the Long Beach community.
In addition, the Long Beach Volunteer Fire Department also received an award for 100 years of community service.
“It’s important to recognize these individuals,” said Civic Association Executive Director Mike Cruz Cruz, who explained that they’re being honored for their “leadership and contributions” to the “Latino and general community.”
Torres received the community leadership award. He is, said Cruz, the first Latino to be elected to the Long Beach City Council and is being recognized for his proven leadership and commitment to the various groups in the barrier island.
Goeller, who received the Art and Culture Award, has lived in Long Beach since 1998 with her husband Charles and daughters Lucia and Cristina.
An artist whose techniques vary from the classical religious icons to manga style illustrations, she has held both individual and group shows at venues in New York, Barcelona, Mallorca, and Guatemala. She has extensive experience fundraising for the government of Guatemala and has applied her knowledge locally in Long Beach, creating successful projects in both the private and public sector.
Goeller is also a cultural consultant for the Long Beach Public School District, where she has created after-school programs where students can learn about several subjects, including Japanese animation, Mayan mythology, and ecology.
Rodriguez received the Youth Leadership Award. Well known as “coach” in Long Beach, his jobs range from teaching assistant, to coach, to recreation department supervisor.
A champion wrestler, Rodriguez co-founded the Long Beach Gladiators, a traveling wrestling club for children of all ages. He coaches his team, which participates in tournaments across the tri-state area.
Rodriguez is also the supervisor of athletic events at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, and coaches basketball, soccer and lacrosse at the Long Beach Recreation Center. He flies with the Long Beach International Wrestling Club to the annual Copa Sparta Wrestling Tournament in Puerto Rico and is also involved with the Long Beach Middle School Mentor Program.
