Lamont girl makes good

Maria Albarran who participates in the Kern County Sheriff's Department's SAL Program in Lamont was recently honored with a scholarship award by a statewide group.
SAL stands for Sheriff's Activity League, a program that exists in east Bakersfield, Lamont and Wasco (I'm sure there are others), and it is designed to mentor and provide educational and sports programs for children living in the neighborhoods where the program is run. Sheriff deputies and sergeants, as well as other volunteers and community groups, work closely with the youth.
Joe Serrano, a private investigator and owner of Gotta Go Bail Bonds in Bakersfield, was her sponsor for the California Association of Licensed Investigator (CALI) Scholarship Award.
Serrano, who is well known in the community through his good work with the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, also received special recognition, earning the CALI'S Investigator of the Year. (I'll be sharing more about him in a future blog).
Serrano tells me that Maria was en route to the CALI Annual Conference in Burlingame, Calif. a few weeks ago to receive her award when she was involved in a car accident. She was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for minor injuries, Serrano says.
Serrano later presented the award to Maria, with Sheriff's Senior Deputy John Money, Lamont SAL adviser, proudly observing the presentation.
Serrano says Maria was deserving of the award.
Maria lives in Lamont with her parents, brothers, sisters and several nieces and nephews.
She has been a SAL member since 2006 and was selected "Girl of the Year" in 2007.
She has been involved in many youth educational activities, graffiti removal and trash pick-ups in her community.
Her immediate goal is to become a Kern County Sheriff's Explorer, which, Serrano says, will enrich her values and dedication to the community - something she's already developed as a passion.
Her future goals are to attend Cal State Bakersfield and someday become a great investigator.
We know she's well on her way to reaching her dreams.

Get ready for the Quince Expo

My niece, Monique Bermudez, is 13 years old, but she is already in the planning stages of her quinceanera, a coming-of-age milestone for many young Latinas turning 15.

"She is looking forward to it. It means a lot to her. It means a lot to us,” my sister, Desiree Bermudez, tells me.

My sister, a preschool teacher, and my brother-in-law Art, a welder, plan to spend about $12,000 for her quinceanera, currently set for April 30, 2011.
To get some tips, she will be attending the 2009 Quinceanera Expo and Fashion Show this weekend. Presented by MAS Magazine, the free event will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the East Hills Mall. American General Media, Azteca America and KERO 23 are co-sponsors of the event.
The expo is an event that I helped organize three years ago. The response has been great.
This year, families will be able to visit booths that will be set up throughout the East Hills Mall. The booths will feature local businesses that offer quinceanera services, says Jaime De Los Santos, MAS Magazine Sales Manager.
And services are endless.
For instance, my sister tells me that the $12,000 she will spend is expected to cover the cost of Monique’s dress, jewelry, hall and limousine rental, food, entertainment, church service, decorations, cake, video, and photography. I am sure I am missing something else.

"She’s our only daughter. She gives good grades. She deserves this,” my sister tells me.

For now, Monique is pretty excited about the fashion show, which will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. She’s among a dozen local young Latinas who will be walking the catwalk, modeling quinceanera dresses in different colors and form. Dresses are being provided by Alva’s Bridal & Alterations, David’s Bridal, Ladies & Gents Bridal, and My Dreams Bridal. And let’s not forget the teen boys who will be escorting the girls.

For some of these teens, such as my other niece, Highland 2009 grad Shantel Reyes, modeling is a new and exciting experience.
Many of these teens said they signed up to celebrate a tradition that is dear to many of their families.
Fifteen-year-old Danielle Enriquez said she is participating because it allows her to participate in the community.

"By participating in the fashion show, it really helps me understand the things that take part in a young Latina’s life when she's about to turn 15. It can be a very overwhelming process,” said Danielle, who attends Highland High School and is involved in activities, such as tennis, student council, and choir. “A quinceanera is the next chapter in your life. It shows that you’re not a little girl anymore and that you are becoming a young adult.”

Anakaren Yanez, 15, says she hopes to make her parents proud by participating in the show.
Anakaren, who attends Golden Valley High School School and participates in soccer and the Medicine Club, said the show will allow her to explore modeling.

"I will do this with so much pride and to show other girls to not be afraid to try new things and have confidence in themselves because if they do they can do so much in life,” Anakaren says.“A quinceanera is not only about who's in it or what’s in it, but what it gives you and what it represents. A quinceanera to me ... is the day you show responsibility and that's a day of a new beginning.”