Boxer Awarded “Kid of the Year”

Oscar De La Hoya Charter Student Gets Top Honor!

The boxing ring at Hollenbeck Youth Center in East L.A. has offered thousands of inner-city youth the golden opportunity to better their lives through the sport. Two fairy-tale endings have even come true for a couple of their best-known local athletes by winning an Olympic Gold Medal. Oscar De La Hoya did it in 1992; preceding him was Paul Gonzales, who earned his gold in 1984.

And what about Omar Campos? Training out of the very same East L.A. gym where “The Golden Boy” and Gonzales both got their early starts in boxing, the young warrior began his own amateur boxing career at age eight. The 15-year-old has his own dreams of going to the Olympics and turning pro, but for now he’s already earned the prestigious title of “Kid of the Year.”

Campos was awarded this honor at last week’s gala 28th Annual “Salute to the Dodgers” presented by the Hollenbeck Police Business Council and the Inner-City Games L.A. (ICGLA). The teen was seated on the VIP dais along with Berenice Rivera, 17, and Luis Freddy Jacinto, 13, who were also voted “Kids of the Year.” The ceremony was held at the historic Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

As a student of Oscar De La Hoya Animo Charter High School, Omar has certainly felt the presence of the ten-time world champ. The Oscar De La Hoya Foundation has lent their support to many of Hollenbeck’s community events. And besides Oscar, what other boxers does the flyweight admire? “My favorite boxers are Julio Cesar Chavez, Juan Manuel Marquez, and his brother Rafael Marquez,” Omar answers.

Trained by his father, Zeferino Campos, Omar has competed in the Silver Gloves, PAL, and various shows and tournaments. The youth continues to train hard while keeping his grades intact, “I fight at 106, but I’m 110 pounds right now. I’m looking forward to competing soon! And my goal in the future is to turn pro.”

After the three youngest awardees were announced to the crowd, the humble teenager accepted his applause with a smile and posed for a group shot with friends, family and fellow boxers in attendance.

Besides boxing, the recent luncheon also featured two other sports: baseball and football. The Dodgers were represented by longtime coach Manny Mota and the game of pigskin was represented by Mark Sanchez, USC quarterback and 2009 Rose Bowl Champion MVP.

During the festivities, Priscilla Hernandez, ICGLA Board Member, introduced the family of Mark Sanchez, whose cousin George Castello accepted his award. The football player–and role model–said during a video broadcast that played, “I believe in Hollenbeck’s mission to provide positive outlets to our youth” and told the kids in attendance to “work hard, stay positive” and “you can reach your dreams and believe in yourself! I am proud to be part of their future. Success is not easily attained, but by setting goals and working very hard, you can attain them.”

Sanchez has been a mentor to the Hollenbeck kids and was given this year’s Amigos de los Niños Award for his contributions. As a talented prospect, the football player was traveling the U.S. and couldn’t attend in person, but his family were there to accept his honor. Sanchez has been touted as a top first-round draft pick (and as of this morning, rumored to be the fourth pick by Seattle). The NFL draft takes place tomorrow in New York. Mark got a big laugh from the crowd during his filmed thank you speech, when he stated, “I am unemployed and traveling the country looking for a job as a quarterback!”

Castello, Co-chair of the Hollenbeck Police Business Council, announced to the audience, “I think Mark’s in New York about to try out for another team.” Then Nick Sanchez, Mark’s brother, added, “He just left New York. Now he’s heading to Detroit and St. Louis interviewing for a job!”

And the “boys in blue” were soundly represented by Manny Mota, who is going into his third decade as a Dodger coach. The famed former outfielder and pinch hitter was the guest of honor of Danny and Beatrice Hernandez. Danny is President/CEO of the Hollenbeck Police Business Council, the Hollenbeck Youth Center and Founder of ICGLA and his wife, Bea, is ICGLA’s Executive Director. The popular Mota said, “I’m very proud to be here. The Dodgers have partnered with the HYC for the last 20 years to raise money for the inner-city youth.”

So what do you get when you combine boxing, football, and baseball? You get an outstanding event that will help benefit hundreds of underprivileged and at-risk youth in the Boyle Heights and East L.A. neighborhoods! The three sports came together with a shared goal of helping at-risk children by encouraging kids to aim high in their goals.

“Thank you to everyone for supporting the kids. You really care about them and their future,” said Danny Hernandez. Hollenbeck has a long tradition with boxing and continues to produce amateur standouts and contenders. Seniesa Estrada and Denise Rico are two female fighters that have had successful amateur careers through the Hollenbeck gym.

The ICGLA was founded in 1991 by Hernandez and features boxing, basketball, swimming, softball and track competitions. And the Board of Directors had a gift for the leader of their organization: Danny, a former Marine, was surprised with the prestigious Silver Star Award for extraordinary heroism during his military service as they also recognized some dedicated soldiers of the Marine Corps.

As guests enjoyed their lunch at the sold-out affair, they watched two large screens with personal messages from several of the award recipients. The Master of Ceremonies was Fox Channel 11 sports anchor Rick Garcia who introduced the VIP lineup including radio station Hot 92.3’s Damon Knight and Josefa Salinas, Jorge Jarrin and a surprise live performance by the legendary ’70s band WAR (“Low Rider,” “Why Can’t We Be Friends,” and “Spill the Wine”). Also appearing in person were honorees Judge Scott Millington (Director’s Award), LAPD Officers Anthony Macklin and Ruben Rodriguez (Kelly Key Awards) and Steve Cooley, L.A. County District Attorney (“Man of the Year”).

The Man of the Year, Cooley, said, “I salute the Hernandez family. They give young people the opportunity to change their lives.” He accepted a special bronze award from Danny, Bea, and their daughter Priscilla Hernandez. The commissioned piece was designed by boxing trainer and sculptor Steve Harpst.

Another boxing link at the function was criminal-defense attorney and big boxing buff Carmen “Nuch” Trutanich, who recently sparred with ex-heavyweight champ Michael Moorer at Wild Card. As a candidate currently running for City Attorney in the May election, Trutanich loves boxing and is extremely passionate it. So after the function ended, we spent a while chatting about our very favorite sport!

“I love boxing. It’s a great sport–the hardest sport out there and the most physically enduring sport,” the enthusiast tells me. The fit attorney stays in shape by lacing up. “I box every Saturday with Joey Orbillo (former heavyweight); we do six or seven rounds,” he says. Visiting the Wild Card gym recently, he went toe-to-toe against the former champ Moorer. So how did the lawyer do against the professional pugilist? “He could’ve had both hands tied behind his back and he’d still beat me!” laughs Trutanich.

There was also a fundraising auction with De La Hoya boxing gloves, Muhammad Ali memorabilia, signed footballs, and autographed baseball jerseys all up for bid. Happy to donate to the cause, Trutanich told me, “I bought the signed Ali photo in the auction. He’s my favorite athlete of all time and it’s nice to support Hollenbeck.”

Hollenbeck Youth Center began 37 years ago as a joint venture between the Hollenbeck Division LAPD and local businesses in the East L.A. neighborhood. Thousands of at-risk children have benefited from this community center which offers many after-school programs including sports and computer education.

The message that each adult recipient expressed in their speeches was that mentoring is a worthwhile investment that benefits both the youth and the mentor. And in this time of recession, what better gift than donating your time in helping others? Giving back doesn’t cost a penny, just your time. While accepting his award, the Honorable Millington said, “This doesn’t require finances–just time as a role model.”

And that’s what Hollenbeck and ICGLA’s Danny Hernandez always says, “All kids are a lifetime investment.”

Congratulations again to the “Kid of the Year”–Boxer Omar Campos!!!

For more information: www.hollenbeckpbc.org

Photos by Michele Chong: Priscilla Hernandez and “Kid of the Year” boxer Omar Campos; The Boxing Group; Bea and Danny Hernandez with Dodgers’ Manny Mota; “Man of the Year” Steve Cooley; Sports anchor Rick Garcia; Boxing fan and election candidate Trutanich; WAR performs; Sports items in silent auction