Mona AlvaradoFrazier
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By Mona AlvaradoFrazier / Guest contributor
Add the above motto to those who are committed to “Protect and Serve.” One of the core values of the National Latino Peace Officers Association is “Honoring Family, Education, and Community through Service and Mentorship.” On April 27, 2013, the Ventura County Chapter of the NLPOA will do just that when it holds its 10th Annual Scholarship Banquet.
Law enforcement personnel who are members of NLPOA already serve their communities through their chosen career but these individuals take it a step further by reaching out to lend a financial hand to high school students, through their scholarship awards. With the communities help, NLPOA has awarded over $35,000 in scholarships to students in Ventura County.
Several community members also assist in this value by giving memorial scholarships, through NLPOA, honoring loved ones who were committed to higher education or who served in law enforcement.
One such award is the Hinostro Memorial scholarship, given by the family of Robert Hinostro, who in 1950 was the first Latino Chief of Police in Oxnard, CA. Members of his family followed his example and became police officers. The family of two Miranda brothers gives the Miranda Memorial Scholarships. Several of their family members are Detectives and Officers for Oxnard P.D.
The scholarships are funded through three annual fundraisers: Comedy Night, Scholarship Banquet, and the Strawberry Festival. Participation as a member, volunteer, participant, or sponsor at the fundraisers do a great deal for the youth of our county. Some of the awardees have gone on into law enforcement fields, others into social service professions, and others into the medical field.
The banquet is on April 27, 2013 at the Tower Club, 300 E. Esplanade Dr. Oxnard, CA from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Guest speaker is Lawrence Vasquez, USN Commanding Officer of Naval Base Ventura County. For more information or sponsorship opportunities, please call Mike Aranda at 805-746-9340 or email nlpoavc@yahoo.com.
— Mona AlvaradoFrazier is a writer. To see more of her work, visit http://www.alvaradofrazier.com