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HERALD Also serving Point Lookout & East Atlantic Beach
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Playing in the ‘Jewish Olympics’
Schools adopt 2025-26 budget
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This L.B. man started anew in America money, no friends, no easy road ahead. I took every opportunity I could, working in kitchens, Mauricio Campos was born cleaning, doing security, with in Izabal, Guatemala, and grew the hope that one day all the sacrifices would mean someup in Asunción Mita, a town of just over 20,000 in the Jutiapa thing.” Campos, 33, came to the department of Guatemala. States in December G row i n g u p, 2019 on a fiancé Campos knew what visa, which allows it meant to fight for a foreign citizen to everything he had, enter the country to value every plate to marry a U.S. citiof food, and to keep zen. He had met his smiling even when then girlfriend, Jacit was difficult. His queline Palacios, of parents taught him Long Beach, important lessons through mutual he still values friends 15 years today: respect, hard ago, when she was work, and to always keep his word. He MAuRICIO CAMPOS on vacation in Guatemala. They grew up being told Chef, The Cabana stayed in touch, that no matter and eventually realwhere you start, your dignity and effort define ized that they wanted to be together. Mauricio joined Jackwho you are. Six years ago, he started a ie in Long Beach, and they marnew life in America. Now he is ried on Jan. 28, 2020, shortly the chef at The Cabana, in after he became a permanent resident. Long Beach’s West End. He had to wait five years “I ar rived in the United States with nothing but a suit- before applying for citizenship. case full of dreams and a heart The process was long, and ready to work hard,” Campos included English and civics wrote in a text. (Rapid conver- tests, interviews and, finally, sations in English remain a taking the U.S. Oath of Allechallenge for him.) “I had no Continued on page 5
By BRENDAN CARPENTER
bcarpenter@liherald.com
Bob Arkow/Herald
Squatting for lazar laPenna The annual 999 Squat Challenge, in honor of the late Lazar LaPenna, hit the boardwalk last Sunday, with hundreds of participants led by Alexander E. Tirado, front left.
Latino Civic Association earns a grant for environmental work By ANGElINA ZINGARIEllO azingariello@liherald.com
The Long Beach Latino Civic Association was the recipient of a $100,000 Environmental Justice Community Impact Grant from the state Department of Environmental Conservation on April 24. The funding will support the association’s “Pollution Mitigation Leads to Health Benefits” project, which kicked off last October and continues until Sept. 30, 2027. The project focuses on reducing pollution, improving public health, raising awareness of environmental issues and advocating for policy changes in Long Beach. The association will conduct environmental assessments, install monitoring sensors and
launch pollution-reduction initiatives, including purification systems and improved waste management, and offer health screenings, support services and educational outreach to residents. Community engagement through events, research and online resources is central to the effort, along with working closely with policymakers to strengthen environmental regulations. The project’s success will be measured by reductions in pollution, increased community participation, broader educational reach, impactful research and tangible policy changes. “DEC’s Community Impact Grants support the crucial work of people on the ground working tirelessly to lift up their communities and provide a healthier, more sustainable future,” Amanda Continued on page 19
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ecoming a U.S. citizen is not the end of my journey, it’s just the beginning.