Among the advantages of living in a small community is
personally knowing the people and institutions that help make it a
desirable place.
Among the advantages of living in a small community is personally knowing the people and institutions that help make it a desirable place.
Two such persons were honored Saturday night as the Mexican-American Committee on Education (MACE) Citizens of the Year at MACE’s 33rd annual Scholarship Banquet. They are Rita Bowling and Richard Vasquez.
Bowling has called the county home since she was a girl. Circumstances did not allow her to get much of a formal education but her determination to succeed in business – and the willingness to work hard at it – saw that goal attained. She also became the first woman to serve on the county Board of Supervisors. Her support of local youth activities is legendary and many youngsters have received guidance, direction and inspiration from her.
Vasquez is also committed to helping young people. His career in the Hollister Police Department, in which he rose from a patrolman to one of the department’s top administrators, has been inspirational to young people. He does not say much about it but his willingness to go a little further than is required of him has put some youngsters on the right path when they easily could have taken another direction.
MACE also recognized Graniterock for its support of MACE programs and for its creation of the Romualdo Pacheco Scholarship, named for a Mexican national who emigrated to the United States in the 19th century and became governor of California and a regent of the University of California.
MACE itself is a driving force in the community. Over the years it has given more than a quarter of a million dollars to 370 students in the form of scholarships. Many of the recipients have remained in the community and have contributed to it, so the good continues much as the ripples from a rock thrown into a pond continue to widen.
So, to Bowling, Vasquez and the latest recipients of scholarships, we offer our congratulations. Our community is better because of their presence here.
