Saturday’s Great Valley Bookfest in Manteca included honors for a couple of area ‘Literacy Heroes’ – Manuel Camacho and Marg Jackson. Camacho started his career as an educator in 1993 where he taught Spanish at Canoga Park High School for 10 years. He moved to Stockton 22 years ago and has been teaching Spanish at San Joaquin Delta College as a full-time faculty member. He is also a storyteller and has participated in storytelling events throughout the Central Valley for over 20 years. Jackson, editor of the Escalon Times, Oakdale Leader and Riverbank News, has worked in the Central Valley for over 30 years. Originally from upstate New York, working first in radio and then as a newspaper reporter, she came to California for the chance to be an editor. She is an advocate for literacy in the Escalon community, including covering programming in local schools, the library, the annual writing camp, and countless other programs.

Times Photo By Michelle Kendig