Volunteers have always been an integral part of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Before we opened our doors in 1984, Lucile Packard's vision brought in over 350 eager individuals. Since then, the program she inspired has attracted more than 10,000 volunteers who have contributed over five million hours of their time in service of our mission to inspire conservation of the ocean.
Each year we honor several of these amazing individuals with the Lucile S. Packard Memorial Award and Youth Award for outstanding volunteer service. The award recognizes volunteers whose dedication and selfless service exemplify Mrs. Packard’s lifelong commitment to volunteerism. Congratulations to our five 2026 recipients!
Diane Hoffmann
Whether sparking excitement for science and the exhibits with visiting students and guests, or ensuring that materials are autoclaved and sterile for next week's microbiology sampling, Diane Hoffmann’s dedication to volunteering and commitment to the Aquarium’s mission are clearly on display.
Diane joined the volunteer program in 2019, serving in numerous roles, including volunteer guide, information center guide, conservation associate, education volunteer, and applied water quality volunteer. Diane distinguished herself early on and has accumulated over 7,000 hours in just seven years. During the Aquarium’s closure, Diane stayed connected with her volunteer guide shift and the Aquarium, becoming a familiar face on weekly Zoom calls. Upon reopening, Diane’s enthusiasm was exceptionally helpful during a time of uncertainty, and helped the interpretive programs team rebuild a strong core of volunteer guides.
As an education volunteer, she shares her knowledge and enthusiasm with the next generation of ocean enthusiasts. In 2022, Diane joined the team in the applied water science lab and became a reliable anchor for them. Diane’s energy has a ripple effect: she’s always willing to share her observations, knowledge, suggestions, and positive experiences with staff and fellow volunteers.
From the beginning of her volunteer service, Diane has shown incredible dedication to the Aquarium staff, volunteers, and guests. Her passion for the ocean, for conservation, and for the well-being of those around her is obvious in everything she does.
George Pereira
Since joining the volunteer guide program in 2019, George has accrued over 3,500 hours of service and become an invaluable asset and a beacon of inspiration for all who have the privilege of working alongside him.
As a shift captain, George consistently showcases his ability to manage the needs of the shift. George not only graciously devotes time to being a substitute guide on other shifts, but he also makes sure to share experiences and knowledge gained with members of his home shift. He diligently notices things that would improve life for the guides and guests and conscientiously collaborates with staff on solutions. George has also enthusiastically participated in multiple iterations of mentor training, even when it meant pushing himself outside of his comfort zone and learning and trying new approaches.
George has been instrumental in launching the volunteer accessibility program as a founding member. His dedication to these volunteers goes beyond working with them during the program itself. George has also committed nearly two years of his personal time to provide one-on-one mentoring to a neurodivergent guide, Nick. When he first saw the opportunity to help, it was arranged with the understanding that it would be just a few weeks. George quickly realized that it would be a long-term commitment and rose to the occasion. George worked alongside Nick to ideate solutions that would improve Nick’s comfort and ability to interpret and then collaborated with staff to put those solutions into practice. George also attended regular evening trainings with Nick, helping Nick graduate and earn his long-desired red guide jacket. George’s dedication to ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, feels welcome and supported embodies the spirit of Lucile S. Packard.
Sandy Robeson
Over the past 13 years—and more than 4,826 volunteer hours—Sandy’s service has had a profound and lasting impact on the Aquarium, our visitors, and our growing volunteer community.
Sandy is a pillar of leadership and inspiration as a volunteer guide, shift captain, and mentor. She’s been instrumental in the redesign of our mentor training program and the way we train new volunteers. Sandy has offered her experience and expertise as part of a small pilot group of mentors, whose work shaped the new program.
Sandy also supports the applied water science team by assisting with essential routine measurements, like pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and chlorine. These are important to track for the well-being of our animals. She approaches this volunteer work with a consistently cheerful attitude and remarkable humility, never seeking recognition for her outstanding contributions. Sandy helps train other volunteers and is willing to step in when needed. As one of the lab’s first volunteers, Sandy has contributed her ideas on how to improve systems and distribute volunteer tasks efficiently.
Additionally, Sandy serves as a tour guide, where she captivates guests with the inspiring history and vision of our founders. Beyond sharing the Aquarium's origin story, Sandy uses these tours as an opportunity to ignite a passion for ocean conservation in visitors, leaving a lasting impression on all who have the pleasure of learning from her. Her depth of knowledge, warm presence, and exceptional communication skills have enriched the experience of countless visitors, fostering meaningful connections between our guests and the wonders of the ocean.
Charles Emmanuel "Manny" Paghasian
Over the course of his time in the Teen Conservation Leaders program, Manny Paghasian has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to conservation, service, and personal development, contributing nearly 300 hours of volunteer time.
When he first joined, Manny was noticeably shy and often hesitant to step into the spotlight. However, as his confidence grew, so did his willingness to take on new challenges and leadership opportunities. He eventually stepped into the role of guest track coach, where he supported fellow students in developing their own communication and engagement skills. Manny demonstrated patience, empathy, and a strong sense of responsibility for the growth of others. He was especially effective at meeting students where they were, working thoughtfully with peers who had a wide range of personalities, communication styles, and experience levels.
Manny also participated in the social media track during two school years, where he explored creative approaches to communicating conservation messages to broader audiences. His ability to think about how to share environmental stories in engaging and accessible ways showed both creativity and a deep commitment to the Aquarium’s mission.
One of the most impressive aspects of Manny’s growth has been his development as a peer mentor. Over time, he has learned how to give thoughtful, constructive feedback that helps others improve while still feeling supported encouraged.
Today, he serves as a role model for students across multiple parts of the program. His journey from a quiet, reserved newcomer to a confident leader and mentor highlights the impact that dedication, reflection, and community can have on a young person’s development. We are grateful to Manny for his service, his leadership as a coach, and the positive influence he has had on students and staff alike.
Rubi Chavarin-Rios
Rubi Chavarin-Rios has been a part of the Aquarium community since 2022 and has volunteered nearly 650 hours to the Aquarium and its guests through the Teen Conservation Leaders program. Rubi began her Aquarium journey in middle school by participating in the Student Oceanography Club, then continued on to complete eight seasons of the TCL program during her high school career.
The transition from the middle school SOC program to the high school TCL program was
a bit rough for Rubi because the Aquarium shut down due to COVID. During this time, we developed a new program for our teens called #TeensCan, and Rubi took advantage of the opportunity to stay connected with us by participating in this program, demonstrating maturity and initiative.
Once the Aquarium reopened and we could officially bring new students into TCL, Rubi applied and joined the guest track. After her first summer, Rubi joined the Saturday 2A volunteer guide shift. She found her place with a group of supportive adults who would help her to continue growing in confidence both personally and as an Aquarium guide. In 2024, Rubi decided to stretch her learning and joined the animal care and engineering track. While on this track, Rubi not only learned how to care for the animals in our learning labs, but was also trained on the various machines and tools in our Innovation Lab.
Rubi is a compassionate person who’s always willing to lend a helping hand. She has a quiet, gentle soul with a welcoming smile and positive demeanor that puts people at ease. She easily interacts with kids and is always eager to share her knowledge and love for the ocean with others.
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