The Pasadena ISD Police Officers Association is lending a helping hand to nine Pasadena ISD graduates as the organization recently awarded over $7,500 in scholarships.

Graduating seniors receiving $1,000 scholarships were Pasadena Memorial High School students Noel Lawrence, Britney Ramirez, Royce Medina and Rebecca Harris. In addition, Pasadena High School’s Lori Velasquez and Sam Rayburn’s Roxanne Ledezma received $1,000 scholarships. The association awarded $500 scholarships to Shane Neal of Pasadena Memorial High School, along with Michael Ann Ebbecke and April Sanchez of Sam Rayburn.

Pasadena ISD Police Association President Sgt. David Garza said the success of the group’s golf tournament fund-raiser and other events enabled the association to give out the most scholarships in its history this year.

In the past seven years, the association has awarded $27,000 in scholarships to students. “Our main goal is to support the students,” Garza said. “Through these scholarships, we want to give them a step up toward success.”