Luis Salazar stands in front of the White House in Washington D.C.

Mr. Salazar Goes to Washington

January 29, 2016
Santa Paula News

One of Santa Paula’s own has earned an internship in the Office of U.S. Congresswoman Janice Hahn.  Luis Salazar, son of Jose and Patricia Salazar and big brother to Alejandra, has distinguished himself in many areas since graduating from Santa Paula High School in 2012. 

 During his junior year at SPHS, Luis took a trip with his AVID class to tour the University of California at Irvine and liked it so much he ended up attending right out of high school.  Luis states, “I’d like to thank Mrs. Pam Thompson for taking me to UC Irvine.  Without the introduction to the university I am in now, I would be on a different track.  Not only did she help me during high school, but she still mentored me through my time here at UC Irvine.  She was my first mentor and probably one of the best ones I ever had or will have.”  It goes without saying that all the teachers in Santa Paula from kindergarten through high school have helped to mold this student into the young man he is today.

Luis is currently a fourth year student majoring in Criminology, Law and Society; has been active in many volunteer organizations, including mentoring students from Sweden, the Netherlands, and Hong Kong; is a member of Alpha Phi Omega, ASUCI (Associated Students of UC Irvine); and maintains a 3.5 GPA.  In September 2014, he studied abroad at the University of Glasgow in Scotland through the University of California Education Abroad Program.  He recollects that many of the Scots were not surprised to see a 6’4” Mexican-American (fun-fact, Luis is the tallest Mexican-American at UCI), stating that they knew Americans came in all shapes, sizes, and races.  After graduation, Luis plans to enroll in the police academy and hopes to become a police officer or work for the federal government.   “We’re so proud to have one of our students placed in a U.S. Congresswoman’s office. Luis continues to be a standout individual and we are confident he will continue to expand his horizons and become an accomplished young man, representing the city of Santa Paula,” states Elizabeth Garcia, Principal of Santa Paula High School.  

Luis left for Washington, D.C., on January 2, 2016, where he will remain until June, working for Congresswoman Hahn.  While there, he will be living in the University of California Student Housing facility.  He has already met Ted Poe (R-TX), Sam Farr (R-CA), and many capitol police officers and he has taken a tour of the White House.  Pam Thompson, one of Luis’ former teachers states, “Luis was and continues to be one of those students who shines in everything he does.  He is compassionate, talented, and not afraid to step out of his comfort zone.  That is what makes him successful and we’re so happy for him.”





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