Life at ease

by Ceasar Ponce
(Los Angeles)

1. From a young age, my mother has always prompted me to go out and take advantage of any opportunities out in the world. Since 2010, I have been part of the Los Angeles Police Department Cadet program. In this program youth ages 14-21 must undergo the cadet academy where they learn about the pillars of character, learn about law enforcement, and undergo physical training. This was a very challenging course, but I prevailed and was able to graduate from the academy as a LAPD Cadet. After graduating, I was able to serve my community through volunteering and mentoring young recruits who are going to the Academy. After being part of the Los Angeles Police Department for a while as a cadet, I wanted to go out and explore what the Cadet program could really do for me, so I transferred from LAPD to USC Department of Public Safety. There, I am able to serve the university's community by participating in events that would ensure students safety such as ride a longs with officers, traffic patrol, etc. Another extracurricular program that has really benefited me is the Fulfillment Fund College Access Program Leaders Crew (CLC). In this program, counselors from different schools join together to provide me with information about college and life skills. CLC has even given me the opportunity to volunteer in community clean ups where my service was greatly appreciated. Having a great interest in politics, I have also been part of the Junior States of America at school, and I was even able to obtain the position of the club as the treasurer. In eleventh grade I have also been part of the Chicano Youth Leadership Project. In recent years I have volunteered in an Early Head start program, and I have even volunteered at a Bike Shop as an intern to acquire knowledge about assisting people. Since eleventh grade until now, I have been part of Saturday Business Academy where students meet once a month with mentors from different occupations to discuss life skills. In school I have been part of a religiously based club that focuses on inner spirit, and I have also been a part of the fitness club and art club at school since ninth grade.