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Students listened intently as keynote speaker Superior Court Judge Gilbert Romero spoke. “You live in the greatest country in the world,” he told them. “You have nothing but opportunity all around you.” He provided them with some lessons to help them reach their goals.

Criminal Justice Career
Seminar highlights future opportunities

February 04, 2015
Santa Paula News

Some Santa Paula High School students discovered opportunities for their future last week at a Criminal Justice Career Seminar sponsored by local civic and educational organizations. Eighty students spent Saturday exploring potential careers at the Ventura College Santa Paula campus, where representatives from several branches of the criminal justice system told the students about career paths toward a secure future.

The Criminal Justice Career Seminar was sponsored by Future Leaders of America, CAUSE, Santa Paula Latino Town Hall, Santa Paula Unified School District, and Ventura College. Retired Principle Dr. Gabino Aguirre welcomed the students to the seminar, offering encouragement and direction for charting a course for a career. “Today is about starting to make decisions for what you want to do for your future,” he told them.

The seminar was extensive, presenting information designed to prepare students for success in overcoming obstacles and achieving their career goals with knowledge and education. A series of workshops acquainted students with different aspects of the criminal justice field. 

The Santa Paula Police and Corrections Departments presented workshops, and afternoon sessions featured Probation Department officers and attorneys-at-law. Dr. Aguirre noted that Santa Paula Chief of Police Steven McLean was in attendance. Students had the opportunity to address questions to the speakers and the chance to network, as well.

The students listened intently as keynote speaker Superior Court Judge Gilbert Romero spoke. “You live in the greatest country in the world,” he told them. “You have nothing but opportunity all around you.” He provided them with some lessons to help them reach their goals. “Life is not fair,” he said. “Get used to it. We don’t get to decide what we’re born into, but we do get to choose.” 

Judge Romero related his story and how he accomplished his ambitions, overcoming challenges, and recounted his appreciation for the support of mentors. “Nobody accomplishes anything alone,” he said. “Here in this room you are surrounded by people who want to help you.” 

“Think of the world as divided into two parts,” Judge Romero told the students. “One part is everything you have no control over. The other side is everything you do have control over. The decisions you make, what affects you, and what you affect; that’s where to focus. Focus on making decisions best for you, best for your family.”

Judge Romero stressed the importance of character. “Character is defined by your daily habits,” he said. “That is who you are.” He also encouraged the students to discover what is important to them. “Nothing worth achieving comes easy,” he said. ‘If it were easy, everyone would do it.”

Judge Romero urged the students to picture in their minds what they want to achieve, and try to live up to that career goal, determine those attributes, and live up to them. Judge Romero challenged the students to, “Figure out what motivates you and run with it.”

Students will have more opportunities to discover their motivation and to choose. Dr. Aguirre said that additional seminars are planned, including careers in the medical field, science, engineering, and math. 

tudents spent a Saturday exploring potential careers at the Ventura College Santa Paula campus, where representatives from several branches of the criminal justice system told the students about career paths toward a secure future.