LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Trooper Sobrina Vazquez upon the occa-
sion of her designation as the recipient of the Trooper William V. McDo-
nagh Community Service Award at the 34th Annual New York State Police
Awards Day Ceremony on May 20, 2010

WHEREAS, The quality and sanctity of community life are cherished
values, worthy of safeguarding; this Legislative Body is moved to honor
those who preserve and protect such values, lauding particularly their
unwavering courage and dedication in the daily performance of their
duties; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Trooper Sobrina Vazquez, of SP Oneida, Troop D, upon the occasion of her
designation as the recipient of the Trooper William V. McDonagh Communi-
ty Service Award; and
WHEREAS, A Trooper since June 28, 2004, she received the award in
recognition of her outstanding community service efforts at the 34th
Annual State Police Awards Day Ceremony, held at the New York State
Police Academy in Albany on Thursday, May 20, 2010; and
WHEREAS, In July 2009, the first New York State Police Junior Police
Academy began under the leadership of Trooper Sobrina Vazquez; held at a
local high school in Syracuse, the initial goals of the Academy were to
provide students with leadership skills as well as build character and
enhance integrity; and
WHEREAS, Through the hard work and dedication shown by Trooper
Vazquez, the Junior Police Academy has given the New York State Police
the opportunity, as an agency, to establish personal interactions on a
positive level with tomorrow's young adults; and
WHEREAS, From the outset, another purpose of the academy was to open
up the State Police to diverse groups of young people, offering insight
into and a new perspective on the State Police to young people who
previously had little or no positive interaction with law enforcement;
Trooper Vazquez also worked to create an atmosphere which will serve as
a long-range recruitment tool; and
WHEREAS, Trooper Vazquez sought and received approval from the Troop
Commander to see if a Junior Police Academy could be started to serve
the youth of Central New York; special attention was given to reaching
out to disadvantaged youth from various areas throughout the troop's
service area; and
WHEREAS, She was able to set up two 2-week sessions, with about 20
students in each session; the recruits came from all over Central New
York including Onondaga, Herkimer, Oneida, and Madison Counties; from
rural areas as well as villages and cities; they were African American,
Caucasian, Asian, Middle Eastern, Jewish, and Hispanic and were
culturally diverse as well; and
WHEREAS, Trooper Vazquez set the requirements for admission at an
appropriate level and was, in addition, the driving force behind the
Academy curriculum; she designed a challenging environment that would
also prove to be rewarding and was assisted during the sessions by a
number of other troopers, including several SROs who altered their vaca-
tion schedule so they could participate and assist; and
WHEREAS, In addition to various courses and demonstrations, the
students participated in physical training every day; they were held to
high standards; each session held a graduation at the end of the two
weeks and the participants were extremely appreciative of the chance to
have participated; and

WHEREAS, Determined not to rest upon the success of the New York State
Police Junior Police Academy, Trooper Vazquez developed another program
known as STARS (Self-Esteem Teamwork Advancement Respect Self-Motiva-
tion) program; the STARS program has the same goals as the New York
State Police Junior Police Academy but is offered on a part-time basis
throughout the school year; and
WHEREAS, Through her work with these programs, Trooper Vazquez has
ensured that these students have an informed view of what the State
Police represents; they have already improved relations between the
community and the State Police, and will hopefully become active and
engaged citizens in the future; and
WHEREAS, In keeping with the finest traditions of the New York State
Police, Trooper Sobrina Vazquez has distinguished herself by her exem-
plary achievement and outstanding performance on behalf of the community
she so faithfully and courageously serves; and
WHEREAS, The dedicated efforts of public servants, such as Trooper
Sobrina Vazquez, who unselfishly devote their lives to the preservation
of order and the protection of others are worthy of the full praise of
this Legislative Body and the people of the State of New York; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Trooper Sobrina Vazquez upon the occasion of her designation as
the recipient of the Trooper William V. McDonagh Community Service Award
at the 34th Annual New York State Police Awards Day Ceremony on May 20,
2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Trooper Sobrina Vazquez.