Edward Hinojos is a Lemoore High School graduate with a purpose.

"I'd like to become like my idol, Robert Kennedy," Hinojos said as he sat in one of the LHS administrative offices on May 27, his brownish-green eyes dark with a dream of a better life not only for himself, but for others who are coming up the way he almost grew up.

Hinojos concluded his high school days with his Lemoore High classmates Thursday night, formally graduating at the school's commencement ceremony at Tigers Stadium.

Born in Hanford, Hinojos lived his very young years in Huron where he saw his father work hard to earn little money as a janitor for the Harris Ranch. His father has since gone to school and is now a correctional officer at Avenal State Prison. He was drawn to the gang life, to the people who seemed to always have the money and things he didn't. His parents sent him to spend a summer with his aunt in Hanford to get him away from the gang influence. That's when he got his first taste of politics. His aunt followed the presidential race and he watched how it changed lives.

"Something clicked in my heart that year. People could make a difference," he said.

Back in Huron the lure of the gangs was still strong so his family, he has two younger sisters and a younger brother, moved to Lemoore. This move was fortunate. At LHS he met Lori Luna, a geography teacher his freshman year and became part of the Gang Resistance Intervention Program.

"I was never part of a gang, but I was affiliated with one gang," Hinojos explained. "I was on the outer edge of gang activity."

Hinojos said Luna was always there to give him a push when he needed it.

"Ms. Luna was the first teacher to show an interest in me as a person. She knew that I knew the answers to her questions. And she challenged me to be all I could be," Hinojos said. "She was always there to give me a push when my grades started to slip or when my focus became distracted by other things. I owe a lot to her."

Hinojos said the combination of caring teachers and the GRIP program helped him get on the right path toward a career in politics. He worked for Assemblywoman Nicole Parra and received the Every Student Succeeding Regional Award. He took first place in Kings County and first place in the 11th District in the competition. Hinojos also represented Lemoore at the California Symposium on Leadership in Sacramento.

"I hope my younger brother and sisters stay away from people with mistaken mental fortitude when in a situation and have the common sense to leave them alone," he said.

Today Hinojos is no longer affiliated with any gangs and is ready to take his next step in life. Hinojos intends to attend California State University, Fresno next year with a major in political science.

"I have this desire to succeed inside of me," Hinojos said. "I can't fail, or what else will I do?"

Hinojos is the son of Susana and Edward Hinojos of Lemoore.

Rachel Britton and Judy Finney are reporters for the Lemoore Advance.

(June 7, 2008)