2008 LAPD Essay Contest Winners

Philip Fedor
Saint Felicitas and Perpetual School
7th Grade

LAPD officers are great people! They impact our community through their actions of self sacrifice, dedication, courage, and love for their community. Every day, LAPD officers risk their own lives just to keep us safe. They also offer positive influence to youth. If I was an LAPD officer for a day, there are three main things I would do to impact the community.

First I would visit poor communities and deliver them food, clothes, toys and books. This would make a great change in their lives. It will give them new opportunities. I will also take time to talk to poor families, and tell them to keep praying and don’t give up hope. I hope that I will bring a smile to their face. Their smile and show of gratitude will be more rewarding than anything that money can buy. If I can bring smiles and new hope to these people, I know that I have made an impact on their community.

Next, I would visit high schools in “rough” neighborhoods and talk to the students. I would give them a thorough talk about staying away from drugs, alcohol, and gangs. I would try to reach out to them, so that my talk will be meaningful to them. If they listen and take my words to heart, then there will be a decrease in crime, and they will live in a safer community.

Finally, I would give a speech at City Hall, telling people that we are all brothers and sisters in God’s eyes, and that we are called to love one another. I hope my speech will unite the community. I will follow the example of the late Officer Simmons. He was very involved with the community. He encouraged education and spoke to youth against the evils of drugs and gangs. He is an excellent example. He had a great impact on the community.

2008 LAPD Essay Contest Winners

In its fifth year, the LAPD Essay Contest was a huge success with hundreds of middle school students participating from the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles schools. Each of the 10 winning essays will be featured on the Department’s web site, one each week for the next ten weeks.  Congratulations to all the winners and many thanks to our sponsors.   

In 350 words or less, students were asked to answer, “If you were a Los Angeles Police Department officer for a day, what would you do that would have the greatest impact on the community?”

If you are interested in participating in the 2009 LAPD Essay Contest, please refer to our website, www.LAPDOnline.org in January 2009 for further information. The 2009 LAPD Essay Contest will open in February for four weeks.

The men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department salute the ten LAPD Essay Contest winners and congratulate the parents, family, and teachers of each winner who share in their joy.  The Department extends a sincere thank you to our partners and sponsors, without whom this essay contest would not be possible.

Monday June 9 - Mr. Philip Fedor, Grade 7, Saints Felicitas and Perpetua School
Monday June 16 - Miss Miriam Carcamo, Grade 6, George Washington Carver Middle School
Monday June 23 - Mr. Matthew Cina, Grade 6, Saints Felicitas and Perpetua School
Monday June 30 - Miss Samantha Alexander, Grade 8, Nober Middle School
Monday July 7 - Mr. Gino Gasbarro, Grade 6, Our Lady of Lourdes School
Monday July 14 - Miss Yhecenia Mata, Grade 8, Sun Valley Middle School
Monday July 21 - Miss Vivian Ramirez, Grade 8, St. Linus School
Monday July 28 - Miss Julia Higgins, Grade 8, St. Joseph School
Monday August 4 - Miss Cynthia S. Rivera, Grade 6, Sun Valley Middle School
Monday August 11 - Miss Kimberly Alvarez, Grade 7, Chester W. Nimitz Middle School

2008 LAPD Essay Contest Partner: Univision KMEX 34 Los Angeles

Sponsors:
Safe Moves
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Polaroid Corporation
Universal Studios Hollywood
Aquarium of the Pacific
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Speedzone
Boomers Park
Los Angeles Dodgers