In 2019, Pablo received an LBPCF scholarship as a senior at Laguna Beach High School. Today, he's a Laguna Beach Police Officer serving the same community that once supported him.
"Growing up in Laguna Beach, I know firsthand what community support means, and it played a huge role in who I am today," Pablo says.
A Childhood That Shaped His Calling
Pablo grew up in a low-income family and experienced domestic instability firsthand. Rather than letting that experience define him in a negative way, it gave him a strong desire to protect others, especially youth growing up in homes affected by domestic violence. It's the kind of perspective that can't be taught in an academy, the ability to see a difficult situation and recognize exactly what support looks like, because he lived it.
What the Scholarship Really Gave Him
"Being awarded this scholarship took a huge weight off my shoulders financially," Pablo shared. "It gave me the freedom to focus on my classes and learning, which played a huge role in building a strong foundation for my career."
For a lot of students, a scholarship covers tuition. For Pablo, it covered something harder to quantify: the mental space to actually focus on becoming who he wanted to be, instead of being consumed by financial stress.
Advice Rooted in Experience
Pablo's advice to current LBHS students is simple but hard-earned: make smart decisions, be dedicated, be determined, be disciplined. As he puts it, "the quality of your life is largely built by the quality of your choices."
It's advice that carries more weight coming from someone who's lived through real instability and still built the life, and career, he wanted.
Coming Full Circle
"This community stepped up and supported us when we needed it most," Pablo said. "Working for LBPD is my way of giving back to the community that took care of us."
This is what your support makes possible. Not just a scholarship, but a future officer who understands this community from the inside out, someone who patrols these same streets with the lived experience to know exactly why that support matters. 💙
