Arthur A. Valenzuela:  

After graduation from H.P. High School, I enrolled at Cal-State Long Beach in September, 1965. My initial major was Foreign Languages, with an emphasis on Spanish and French. My plan was to earn a B.A. Degree in these languages, acquire a teaching credential and become a high school language teacher. I had financed my education by previously working part-time at a local Rexall Drugs store while in H.S. While at CSULB, I worked full-time at Norris Industries in Vernon for three consecutive summers. Working at the plant gave me a strong incentive to do well in my studies! It was very strenuous and dangerous work. While at Cal-State LB I continued my love of music by becoming a member of the Long Beach State 49er Marching Band. The band was critically acclaimed at the time as the best college band on the West Coast. It was 200 members strong. After my sophomore year, I decided to change my major. It had become increasingly difficult to compete with fellow classmates in Spanish and French who were not native Americans. Their language skills were much more proficient than mine I had always been intrigued by the field of law enforcement. During our last Career Day at high school, I spent the entire session inside a tent sponsored by local law enforcement agencies. The variety and adventure in such a career were very alluring to me; much more to me than a career in teaching. I received a Bachelor of Science Degree in the field of the Administration of Justice from Cal-State in early 1970. Because of my change of major, I was required to remain in college for an additional half year to complete the new course of study. During my last semester in school, I applied for the position of Depu...Expand for more