Behind the Badge
Alexa Caudillo was up for the challenge.
As a participant in Orange County’s Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership, commonly known as GRIP, Caudillo had no unexcused absences and did her best to be a model student at Glen Yermo Elementary School in Mission Viejo.
OC District Attorney Todd Spitzer speaks to the students of Glen Yermo Elementary School in Mission Viejo before calling one of their students to be honored during an OC GRIP assembly.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
She was honored on March 29 by District Attorney Todd Spitzer and professionals with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and Orange County Probation Department for designing a vehicle wrap for the new OC GRIP vehicle, which was unveiled in December during a tour of Ford’s regional headquarters in Irvine.
The tour was attended by GRIP students as well as law enforcement professionals and Deputy District Attorneys with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Glen Yermo Elementary School students raise their hands as OC District Attorney Todd Spitzer asks who has the best grades at the school during an assembly.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The Ford Land Rover Defender 110 sporting Caudillo’s paint design was again on display at Glen Yermo Elementary School when Caudillo was recognized for her efforts in March.
Caudillo’s camouflage design, with shades of tan and brown, was selected by a design team from Ford as the winner of the design contest. The contest was open to all 130 GRIP students.
“We are going to honor an amazing person, a person today who is responsible for this beautiful truck over here,” said Spitzer, speaking to Glen Yermo students and administrators. “This young lady had a dream to design this car and she did it because she believed that she could do it. And she never gave up her dreams and desires to have that kind of influence in our community … and every single one of you here today has the exact same opportunity. No matter where you go and what you do, always know that you have every ability to be successful.”
Glen Yermo Elementary Student Alexa Caudillo, 10, smiles as she walks up to be honored by her school and the OC GRIP program for her car paint design being selected.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
This year, 66 Ford Motor Company employees participated in GRIP’s mentor program, meeting with students once a month for three months during the school year.
GRIP was launched in two north Orange County schools in 2007 and since has spread to more than 50 elementary schools throughout the county.
Glen Yermo Dancers, left, lead the school as the Glen Yermo Song is played during an assembly.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The program typically targets students in fourth through eighth grades who are challenged to attend school every day, be on time, have a positive attitude, and improve academics.
GRIP is a partnership between the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, District Attorney’s Office, Probation Department, local law enforcement agencies, and representatives from the business community.
Orange County Assistant District Attorney Tracy Miller, right, works with Glen Yermo Elementary students as they dance to the song YMCA at the conclusion of an OC GRIP assembly honoring student Alexa Caudillo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Orange County Assistant District Attorney Tracy Miller with OCSD deputies.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
OC District Attorney Todd Spitzer speaks to the students of Glen Yermo Elementary before calling up student Alexa Caudillo to be honored for her vehicle paint design, behind him, during a school assembly.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
OC District Attorney Todd Spitzer waves to kids at Glen Yermo Elementary School during an OC GRIP assembly.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Glen Yermo Elementary Student Alexa Caudillo, 10, center, is congratulated for her car paint design before a school assembly in her honor. From left: OC Chief Probation Officer Steven Sentman, OCSD Deputy Jason Duran, School Mascot Roary the Mountain Lion, Deputy J.G., Saddleback Valley School District Board Member Barbra Schulman, Student Alexa Caudillo, OC District Attorney Todd Spitzer, Principal Dr. Michael Gomez and Deputy Scott Hume.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
OC District Attorney Todd Spitzer congratulates Glen Yermo Elementary Student Alexa Caudillo, 10, before a school assembly honoring her for her design. With her is OCSD Deputy Scott Hume, left, Deputy District Attorney Shannon Back, OC Chief Probation Officer Steven Sentman, and Deputy Jason Duran.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
OC District Attorney Todd Spitzer congratulates Glen Yermo Elementary Student Alexa Caudillo, 10, before a school assembly honoring her for her design.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Glen Yermo Elementary students dance to the song YMCA at the conclusion of an OC GRIP assembly honoring student Alexa Caudillo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Glen Yermo Elementary Student Alexa Caudillo, 10, center, stands in front of the OC GRIP vehicle featuring her paint design, with OC Chief Probation Officer Steven Sentman, OC District Attorney Todd Spitzer, Principal Dr. Michael Gomez and Saddleback Valley School District Board Member Barbra Schulman.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Glen Yermo Elementary Student Alexa Caudillo, 10, center, stands in front of the OC GRIP vehicle featuring her paint design. She stands with OC District Attorney Todd Spitzer and Saddleback Valley School District Board Member Barbra Schulman.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
