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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (March 20, 2020)
PAGE B6, KEIZERTIMES, MARCH 20, 2020 Spring peeks through SIX: Perseverance is the common thread (Continued from Page B1) The air might feel heavy, but spring is making an appearance throughout the city. Flowers are springing up in yards and public spaces at every turn. KEIZERTIMES/Lauren Murphy CENSUS, continued from Page B1 sharing any personal informa- tion. On the federal level, Census numbers to guide more than $1.5 trillion annually from 316 federal spending programs for education and health programs, highways, roads and bridges, water and sewage systems, and other projects vital to commu- nity health and well-being. Census results determine congressional representation, the number of Electoral Col- lege votes per state and is used to draw boundaries for state and local election districts. In the last census, Oregon was just shy of gaining one ad- ditional seat in Congress, and 2020 is the year that could happen. Nonprofi ts and businesses use Census data to help de- termine where to build health care facilities, child care and se- nior centers, grocery stores and new factories. It can even have an impact on local government, said Keiz- er City Manager Chris Eppley. “When grant funds are available, a major part of de- ciding who gets the money is determined by demographics. Having a comprehensive view of who is living in the commu- nity can increase our chances of getting that type of funding,” Eppley said. The demographic informa- tion also helps city staff decide where to put their efforts when it comes to applying for grants, which is a time-consuming ef- fort in almost every instance. Some local projects that have included state and feder- al grants, and relied partly on Census data, are the Chemawa Road Northeast roundabout, Keizer Rapids Park and Cher- riots. “In addition to that, it’s sim- ply important for a local gov- ernment to know who they’re trying to serve. As demograph- ics of our citizens change, we have to change with it,” Eppley said. The demographic informa- tion informs how the city en- gages with the its residents at nearly every level. “The very simple form is extremely important for us to establish what the city’s rep- resentation should be in state and federal governance,” said Mayor Cathy Clark. “We want to make sure that our counts are accurate so we get the por- tions of the formula funds that should be coming to support projects in our area for roads and other infrastructure. “The number one reason people should complete the Census is because everyone counts and we want to be sure to count you.” and make a positive impact on the campus and in the com- munity,” Morales said. For many Act Six recipi- ents, their scholarship is more meaningful that just a way to pay for school. For Val- dez, it’s about developing her skills and abilities to make the world a better place. “I believe in equity of voice and I think that everyone de- serves to be heard. My pur- pose for this scholarship is to develop my leadership skills to help others when they can’t be heard,” Valdez said. Valdez is on the yearbook committee at McNary and volunteers her time work- ing with children at her local church. Valdez’s love for kids made her want to pursue a degree in elementary education with a minor in counseling. “I really like helping young kids out because they’re the future generation,” Valdez said. Valdez fell in love with Corban when she went on her campus visit and is thrilled to be going to a Christian uni- versity. “I feel like this scholarship was a window of opportunity for me to further my educa- tion. Being a private Christian institution, I feel like it will be the perfect school for me,” Valdez said. “I’m just really thankful because sometimes you don’t have the resources to go to college, but this just extended the hand of help for me.” Act Six Scholarship win- ners often times end up be- ing fi rst-generation college students, which is the case for Cruz, who will also be attend- ing Corban. “To know that I don’t have to worry about money, espe- cially for me and my parents’ sake, is just a huge sigh of re- lief,” Cruz said. Since his sophomore year, Cruz has worked more than 30 hours a week at the Mc- Donald’s on Lancaster Street in Salem. He also volunteers is there to help them,” Medina said. When Medina was noti- fi ed that she would have the opportunity to study forensic with AVID and with kids at psychology and receive fi re- local elementary schools. arms training at Corban Uni- Whether he’s at work or versity on a full scholarship, at school, Cruz takes pride in she immediately thought of being selfl ess, which he credits her family. to his Christian faith. “I love that I can make “When I see a person my parents and grandparents struggling to fi nd change or if proud after everything they they forget their wallet, I’ll just have done for me. It meant that cover it. At the end of the day, I could walk home and tell my it’s not about saving the world, parents that they wouldn’t have it’s about just trying to make to worry about paying a penny someone’s day for me to go better,” Cruz to school. That said. “Faith is was the great- very import- est gift I’ve ant in my life. ever had in my I don’t think life,” Medina I would have said. made it here Although without my she went faith.” through some While he’s rough patch- leaning towards es earlier on going into in her high pre-dentistr y, school life, her Cruz isn’t 100 faith is what — Carlos Cruz helped percent sure of her what he wants through some to study. He’s dark days. just excited for the opportu- “I had a lot a diffi culty with nity to go to college. mental health and self-harm, “I’m really not passion- but when I decided to let God ate about anything yet, but I back into my life, it was like know I just want to further everything started to fall into my education. Education is place,” Medina said. a big way to have infl uence,” The Act Six Scholarship has Cruz said. the ability to change people’s Medina, on the other hand, lives, and Farris believes that is incredibly passionate about these four students will use law enforcement and has a what they have been given to clear vision of how she wants change the lives of others. to impact her community. “This particular scholarship “As a Latina, I really want is really special for a lot of rea- to change the Latino commu- sons. What’s exciting about it nity’s perspective on law en- is seeing kids that I know to forcement. They feel like they be leaders and are already in- need to defend themselves volved in their school commu- against law enforcement rather nity, to take that from McNary than see them as someone that to another campus,” Farris said. “To know that I don’t have to worry about money ... is just a huge sigh of relief.” K E I Z E R Our local team carries 125 years combined experience and over 36 million dollars of real estate sold just last year alone. We’re Keizer experts, working for you. Stop by our Keizer offi ce anytime or call your favorite HomeSmart Broker today. 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