Celeste Pico thinks she just can’t say no, but others recognize her strong willingness to serve the community in various ways.
Pico, the principal of Lompoc High School, has been named the Lompoc Valley Woman of the Year during the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce’s annual event where recipients of four awards were revealed.
“Celeste Pico was nominated by several community members for her longstanding dedication to our local youth,” said DeVika Stalling, the chamber’s president and CEO.
She praised Pico for “working tirelessly to help springboard Future for Lompoc Youth through her time, space, and ever present support and encouragement.”
Pico credited her own amazing teachers and a love for children with guiding her into the career.
“I think it’s always just been my passion — children, giving back, wanting more for them,” she said.
Pico was named Lompoc High principal in 2020 after serving as assistant principal since 2014 following a transfer from Lompoc Valley Middle School. She also has worked or volunteered at other Lompoc Unified School District campuses through the years.
But Lompoc High has a special place in her heart. She graduated from the school in 1992, and her husband and three children went there, too.
“I bleed blue,” she said of the Braves’ color.
After attending Santa Barbara City College and then Chapman University for her bachelor’s degree, she earned her master’s from California Lutheran University.
“I believe in the beginning I thought teaching would be enough,” Pico said. “I love being in the classroom and having that connection to the kids, but I recognized that in order to influence change more I needed to be in different positions.”
Lompoc High has roughly 150 faculty and staff along with 1,700 students.
“I say that I have 1,700 kids,” she said.
She has seen “her kids” struggle following the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with resources provided through the district, LHS brought in additional assistance for the campus due to the need.
This has meant adding a full-time social worker, another social-emotional learning counselor and another guidance counselor for the Lompoc campus.
“We just looked at our funds … and said where’s this going to benefit our students the most,” she said. “We’re looking again at the way we do things.
“How do we correct the behavior in a way that’s going to be more rehabilitating and positive, and not just send the kid home, and away, and ignored. They need resources, they need help, they needs tools to be able to cope. They’re young. They’re children. They need help. They need support.”
Pico missed the awards ceremony due to a family emergency, but her son filled in as she watched via FaceTime. She recalled being shocked and humbled when she learned she had been chosen.
“It’s beautiful because I work with amazing people, and they make all of the things possible that have happened that have been successful,” she said.
Pico has been involved in a variety of community and education organizations, including serving as president of the Parent-Teacher Association, as a board member of the Lompoc High Alumni Association, helping form Futures for Lompoc Youth, belonging to the American Association of University Women, acting as a mentor for Grizzly Youth Academy in San Luis Obispo, and supporting the California Highway Patrol’s “Every 15 Minutes” program.
“I’ve always been involved in the community, with my kids, without my kids,” she said.
Pico still manages to find time for a unique hobby — working as a restaurant server at Cajun Kitchen, a role she has had for 20 years after 10 years at the now-closed Baker’s Square.
“It’s kind of an outlet,” she explained.
Her love of students means she isn’t looking at leaving.
“I feel like I need to be where the kids are,” she said. “… They energize me. They give me life. They make me wake up every morning.”
Recipients of the Chamber of Commerce’s other honors were:
» Colleen and Matt Grant with the Outstanding Community Support Award for their efforts to form the local chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, which makes beds for children in need.
» Annette Hernandez from Just 2 Sweet Candy Creations & Events with the 2022 Small Business Hero Excellence Award.
» Halle Bedford Dyer, South Side Coffee Co., with the 2022 New Business Award. A former employee of the business, Dyer purchased and reopened it 2020.
» Dianna Ludden, a retired teacher, as the 2022 Chamber Volunteer of the Year.
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.