Of the many activities that HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) students at Veterans Memorial High School (VMHS) tackle, their community awareness project brought them before the Mission City Council this week. The project is an awareness campaign called Love is Respect, and is designed to educate the campus community and the surrounding community about dating violence.
On January 27, the Mission City Council unanimously approved a proclamation establishing the month of February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month in the city. HOSA members Jasmine Santos and Karina Farias represented their group at the city council meeting.
The proclamation included statistics about teen dating violence and abuse; explained that victims are more likely to be involved with alcohol and drugs; may continue that cycle even after leaving the relationship; and the variables involved that include gender, sexual orientation, age, and ethnicity.
Pictured from left to right are: Ruben Plata, city council place 2; Maria Elena Ramirez, city council place 1; Jasmine Santos, student; Norberto Salinas, mayor; Karina Farias, student; Norie Gonzalez Garza, mayor pro-tem; Dr. Armando O’Cana, city council place 4; Martin Garza, city manager.
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