OXNARD : Actor Accepts Key Role in Chavez School Event

The renaming of Oxnard’s Juanita School to Cesar Chavez Elementary School has caught the attention of actor Martin Sheen, who attended last week’s meeting to discuss the school’s upcoming rededication ceremony.

Sheen, a longtime supporter of Chavez and his labor movement, agreed to give the keynote speech at the Sept. 26 dedication in Oxnard.

He also told school officials that he had rallied the support of other actors to fund a mural by New Jersey artist Michael Alowitz. The mural will replace the school’s sign and portray the labor leader leading demonstrations and peace marches.

Chavez Principal Anthony Zubia said he was overwhelmed by the response from Sheen and others who asked to attend the ceremony.

In addition to Sheen, Ventura County education officials and politicians, and 1,000 area farm workers said they planned to attend the event, according to Zubia.

“Cesar Chavez touched a lot of people all over the country,” Zubia said. “They will make this a very powerful event.”

While students at the school initially shied away from the name change, Zubia said classroom discussions about the activist have kindled excitement about Chavez.

“It’s been a real learning experience for them,” Zubia said. “Slowly but surely, they have begun to understand who he was, what he was, and why he was important.”