Announcing The 2014 Clancy The Underdog Award Winner

ClancyOn February 23, 2013, our DDR mascot, Clancy made his transition into heaven, may he rest in peace. To honor his spirit, we are honoring one outstanding college bound student who exemplifies the term “underdog.”

The winner of the 2014 Clancy the Underdog Award is Sonia Martinon!

Despite many challenges Sonia has faced, she has continued to study and work hard, and has been accepted to Cal State Los Angeles University where she plans to study courses related to becoming a social worker.  On March 28th, we will be honoring Sonia by hosting a luncheon at her school and presenting her with a new MacBook Pro computer, which was anonymously donated. Classmates, friends and family will all be present to watch Sonia accept the 2014 Clancy Underdog Award.

We first met Sonia through her teacher, Bernice Orsoto, who leads the Students for Animals Rights Education and Advocacy at Aspire Academy in Huntington Park. This group of young people has volunteered at various community events we have organized in South LA. To learn more about SAREA visit www.facebook.com/SAREA

Young people are our future. Knowing that students like Sonia are so passionate about animal welfare and empowering families in underserved communities gives us all so much hope for a bright future. To learn more about Clancy and my amazing journey with him visit http://stubbydog.org/2012/03/clancy-the-elderbull-therapy-dog/

Please take the time to read Sonia’s winning essay below, and f you would like to assist a student in need, please get in contact with Ms. Orsorto.

If you would like to join me and all the people who love and support Sonia, please RSVP.

CLANCY THE UNDERDOG SCHOLARSHIP

SoniaMy name is Sonia Martinon and I am from Huntington Park, California. Growing up in Huntington Park was a struggle- not being able to have everything that I wanted; I learned to appreciate the little I had even though both of my parents worked day and night. Everything seemed to be a perfect world for me, because I was satisfied to have the little my parents offered me. One day my mom went to the doctors to get her annual physical test and they noticed that something started to go wrong with her health. My mother’s hands started to deteriorate due to her health. Eventually my mother was fired from her job and everything started to change in my family. My family and I started to notice how much it was affecting everyone the way we had to limit the things we wanted to and to be happy with the things we had. My dad has always done everything he can, so he pushed himself to work night and day to get us everything that was in his hands. We started to notice that my mom’s health was not improving at all and she was in bed for two months. It was hard for her to take us to school. Waking up in the morning was always a painful thing to see- my mom trying to get up from bed and taking us to school. Every morning we always saw a guy trying to help my mom out by giving her medicine even though it was something she did not want. Every day she would think about that man that would always help her out, so one day she decided to start to drink the medicine everyday and we all noticed that the medicine started to work and make a small difference in her health. Even though my mom is not working we still manage to help each other out and even though it is difficult, it still does not change how much I love my mom.

Now that I am older, my sister and brother are going to college. My sister is going to Community College Cerritos and my brother is going Santa Monica College. I am so was proud of them, and I thought for a moment that I too would go to college like them to become someone in the future. Then after a couple of months, my brother did not go to school anymore and just worked. Once I asked him, “why did you leave school? He told me he could accomplish something without attending a college or a university. It saddened me, but I understand it is his life and I cannot make any decisions for him. Then months passed by and he was in trouble due to his inability to pay his huge amount of bills. While my sister went to college, she had fun, and dated a boyfriend. Unfortunately, a couple months passed and she became pregnant. She had a baby girl and slowly struggled to work and pay her bills. Then she found a better job at the United States Post Office where she earns money to care for my niece. My brother moved to another country and I think he is doing well, because he sent some pictures via email to inform us that it is great place and he is a manager at his job. I consider myself to be an underdog, because of the challenges my family and I have been confronted with throughout life. However, I will not allow my experiences and those of my family members to prohibit me from being the first member of my family to graduate from college.

In order to obtain my goals, it is important for me to attend college. I am certain I am not going make similar decisions to my brother or my sister. I am going to start my major and graduate from college. I plan on majoring in Social Work and perhaps attend veterinary school after I graduate. One thing for certain is my love for animals. In my neighborhood, there are strays roaming the streets on a daily basis. When I pass by a stray, I feel as if they are calling my name to help save and love them. It hurts me that I am unable to care for them, because I do not have my own home where I can keep them. If it were up to me, my goal would be to help animals to be save them all so they are not killed. There is a club at my school, Aspire Pacific Academy High School, named Students for Animals Rights Education and Advocacy (SAREA) that helps shelters. Some of the activities include collecting donations for non-profit organizations, volunteering at free spay/neuter clinics, visiting the local animal shelter, building awareness at school, and much more. SAREA helped open my mind about animal rights. Animals have the right to live their own lives just like us humans, and feel loved, treated like humans, and be respected. When we visited the South Los Angeles Shelter, I saw beautiful puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs in cages similar to prisoners in a jail cell. They were cold, sad, alone, and homeless. These innocent dogs are all underdogs. They are underdogs because perhaps no one believed in them, but when they are adopted by a family, they will feel loved and warmth within their hearts.

An underdog experiences challenging situations, but they are more than capable of showing the world their ability to succeed through hard work and determination. Personally, I see myself as an underdog who is willing to overcome any challenges life may place before me. I consider myself to be a compassionate person- I am always helping numerous people and animals at school, home, places, and anytime there is another in need. In addition to being an underdog, I have two dogs who I consider to be underdogs as well. I love Mimi and Chiquis with all my heart and I make sure I provide them unlimited love, care, and friendship. Both of my dogs experienced a tragic life before my family took them in and it is a blessing they are safe with my family and I. Although we sometimes have difficulties with affording their special food and treats, we provide Mimi and Chiquis with what we can afford. It would be wonderful if I could adopt multiple dogs to love and take care of them.

2017-05-24T08:44:06+00:00
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