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Anti-Gang Task Force Honors 18 Local Teens

By Megan Perez, SCVNews.com | Tuesday, May 8, 2012

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The City of Santa Clarita’s Anti-Gang Task Force honored 18 local youth during an SCV Teen Hero Recognition Ceremony at the Activities Center Monday.

“These young people here are heroes to all of us and will continue to be in the future,” said Santa Clarita Anti-Gang Task Force co-founder Maria Fulkerson.

Each of the junior high and high school students were selected by their teachers, school administrators and community members for their leadership qualities and ability to overcome life challenges including illness, abuse, drug and alcohol addiction and divorce.

“Being selected as an SCV Teen Hero was the best thing that’s ever happened in my life so far,” said SCV Teen Hero Jarad Almeida. “Unless you count getting two sodas for the price of one out of a vending machine.”

Almedia was selected as a Teen Hero by two of his Canyon High School teachers, Mary Purdy and Cheryl Hanks. He said he’s honored to hold the title.

All 18 of the 2011-12 SCV Teen Heroes received a gift bag filled with gift certificates to several local restaurants and a ticket to Six Flags Magic Mountain.

The City’s Anti-Gang Task Force was founded in 1991 in efforts to end crime and gang violence in Santa Clarita through community partnerships and positive programs for teens and their parents.

The 2011-12 SCV Teen Heroes are:

Spencer Richman – Arroyo Seco Junior High School

Jorge Acosta – Bowman High School

Richard Brown III – Bowman High School

Devyn Bullock – Bowman High School

Guadalupe Camacho – Bowman High School

Ross Shields – Bowman High School

Jarad Almeida – Canyon High School

Balquess Obadi – Canyon High School

Cayla Bevan – Golden Valley High School

Hosbaldo Jaramillo – Hart High School

Rebecca Soloranzo – Hart High School

Joshua Garnica – Placerita Junior High School

Christian Abdelshahed – Rancho Pico Junior High School

Charles Melgar – Rio Norte Junior High School

Dorothy Clemena – Saugus High School

Rosa Monroy Carranza – Saugus High School

Paola Campos – Valencia High School

Melanie Jade Lico – Valencia High School

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