Scholarship recipients Explorer Cpl. Maya Panizzon and Explorer Sgt. Ronan Valadez.
Source: Raquel Zick for Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Benevolent Posse has awarded two college scholarships, each valued at $2,500, to outstanding members of the Sheriff’s Office Explorer Program, Post 31.
Explorer Sgt. Ronan Valadez and Explorer Cpl. Maya Panizzon were recipients of the awards after a rigorous selection process.
Valdez and Panizzon demonstrated their unwavering commitment to academic excellence and a future in law enforcement by competing in a highly competitive application process, Sheriff’s Benevolent Posse said. Their dedication and passion set them apart, making them deserving recipients of this esteemed recognition.
The scholarships are part of the Sheriff’s Benevolent Posse’s commitment to fostering the educational aspirations of promising youth in the community.
The initiative is made possible through a $100,000 endowment fund, established to ensure that future generations of young, aspiring law-enforcement professionals will receive the support they need to pursue their career goals.
The visionary behind this philanthropic endeavor is Posse Board member Richard Berti and his family, who conceptualized and sponsored the endowment fund. Their dedication to empowering local youth and investing in their futures exemplifies the spirit of community support that defines the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Benevolent Posse.
“It’s critical to our community that we give our youth both the means to get an education but also hands-on experience to facilitate a career path such as in law enforcement,” Berti said.
“The Explorer Program gives students hands-on experience which can inspire and lead them to a career in criminal justice,” he said.