For Immediate Release
September 29, 2020
Contact: Officer Joseph Metz
jmetz@cityofventura.ca.gov
The Ventura Police Officers’ Association Announces
Dee Dowell Memorial Scholarship Award Winners
Ventura, Calif. — The Ventura Police Officers’ Association (VPOA) is pleased to present three scholarships to high achieving local Ventura students as the award recipients of the 17th annual Dee Dowell Memorial Scholarship.
“There is no greater honor than to be in public service,” said Officer Joseph Metz, President of the VPOA. “We are thrilled to play just a minor role in the future success of Ventura’s youth and our community.”
The first place scholarship of $2,000 is awarded to Bailey Welch. Bailey is 17-years-old and will be attending Ventura College to pursue a course of study in Nursing. The second place scholarship of $1,500 is awarded to Tara Martin. Tara is 19-years-old and will be attending the University of Arizona to pursue a course of study in Early Child Education. Finally, our third place scholarship of $1,000 is awarded to Kali Garibay. Kali is 19-years-old. She is currently attending the University of Southern California and intends to continue her studies in Law History and Culture.
Each young scholar was selected after displaying remarkable academic achievement, school and community service, and financial need. Additionally, each applicant must submit an essay on “Service, what it means to me,” submit a letter of recommendation from a public servant, be a Ventura resident or have graduated from a high school in Ventura within the past three years, and plan a course of study related to the field of public service.
The VPOA thanks all applicants and congratulates the 2020 winners of the Dee Dowell Memorial Scholarship!
The annual Dee Dowell Memorial Scholarship program honors Sergeant Darlon “Dee” Dowell, who was shot and killed on August 7, 1978. Sergeant Dowell is the only officer in Ventura’s history to die in the line of duty.
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