HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH RECOGNITION
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15), the Odessa Police Department has recently recognized the following law enforcement members.
Deputy Chief Robert Doporto has worked for OPD for almost 30 years. He is one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet and has a great sense of humor. He also believes strongly in giving back to our community and you will see him at many community events.
He is fluent in Spanish which is a great benefit, especially when it comes to helping our citizens.
Det. Donny Rocha has been working at the Odessa Police Department for almost 10 years. He is being recognized as part of Hispanic Heritage month. Rocha has spent the last five years working as a Homicide Detective. It can be a challenging job, especially when breaking news to families whose loved ones have passed. His favorite food is menudo.
Sgt. Eddie Vallejo who has been working at OPD for almost 30 years. He is fluent in Spanish and enjoys getting to know people from other cultures who share a similar language. He says some people don’t realize there are different types of Spanish depending on if someone is from Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Mexico, or some other Latin country. His favorite foods are tacos and menudo.
PB FAIR & EXPO TALENT SHOW WINNERS
Al Fellers was the Overall Grand Champion winner for the 2022 Talent Show.
Placings in the 13 & over: Austen Contreras, Hip Hop Lettos (11-16 years old) and Vanessa Whitaker.
Placings in the 12 & under: Hip Hop Lettos (8-10 years old), Hip Hop Lettos (7-8 years old) and Ivana Melendez.
GRADUATES
HUNTSVILLE Lacey Nielsen of Kermit graduated with a master of business administration degree in business administration from Sam Houston State University during the summer semester.
TUSCALOOSA, ALA. M’Kayla Motley of Lamesa graduated with a master of science degree from the University of Alabama during the summer semester.
WACO Samantha Nuñez of Odessa graduated with a doctor of nursing practice, nurse practitioner degree from Baylor University during the summer semester.
PRESIDENT’S LIST
MANCHESTER, N.H. Cheyanne Jones, Sarah Flores, Tabatha Castaneda and Tiffany Shariff, all of Odessa, and Esmeralda Mendoza of Andrews have all be named to the President’s List at Southern New Hampshire University during the summer semester.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.
DEAN’S LIST
MANCHESTER, N.H. Atenna King of Fort Stockton and Brian Gaddis of Rankin have been named to the Dean’s List at Southern New Hampshire University during the summer semester.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.500 to 3.699 for the reporting term are named to the Dean’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.
TUSCALOOSA, ALA. Riley Fisher of Odessa was named to the Dean’s List at the University of Alabama during the summer semester.
To be eligible, student must maintain an academic record of 3.5 (or above) or the president’s list with an academic record of 4.0 (all A’s).
