As a Cerritos College graduate and long time community member, I am in the unique position of understanding a lot of the needs at the college. My volunteer experience, educational experience, and experience as a war veteran, has allowed me to meet and talk to a wide range of community members. I have worked with students that are "at risk" to slip through the cracks of society, the elderly, single parents, disabled, victims of violence, and my fellow military veterans. All these groups have different needs in their quest to rise above their own particular situation. Therefore when the chance came for someone to run for the board, I knew that I was in the best position to articulate the needs of the "nontraditional" students in our community.
Also as a person born in the harsh streets of South Central Los Angeles, who has been raising a little 12-year-old girl alone since she was 2, I knew that I could serve as an effective role model. Not only did I graduate from Cerritos College with honors, I continued my education and currently hold the title of Juris Doctor. During this time I made sure that I not only spent time at home working on being a good father, but also in my community as a good citizen. That effort has garnished me 8 community service awards as well as being named the California School Employees Association Chapter 404 Department Employee of the Year and District Employee of the Year.
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