The Antelope Valley Times

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Inspiring stories of 2014

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Inspire 2014 1

The pillowcase rapist’s release to Lake Los Angeles, the infamous “gang candidate” campaign hit mailer, and a murder conviction for a killing by dogs were three high-profile stories that put the Antelope Valley in the national news for all the wrong reasons in 2014.

Take a look at some local residents whose personal accomplishments grabbed headlines outside the Antelope Valley in 2014 — for all the right reasons.  In the process, they helped to raise the Valley’s profile on a national stage.

Highland High School graduate DeShawn Shead became a Super Bowl Champion as a member of the Seattle Seahawks in February 2014. A month later, Shead was presented with a proclamation declaring March 6 as “DeShawn Shead Day” in Palmdale. [Read the story here.]
Highland High School graduate DeShawn Shead became a Super Bowl Champion as a member of the Seattle Seahawks in February 2014. A month later, Shead was presented with a proclamation declaring March 6 as “DeShawn Shead Day” in Palmdale. [Read the story here.]
Air Force Senior Airman and Lancaster school teacher Veronica Lemus named the 2014 Dickies American Hero of the Year. Dickies American Hero of the Year campaign shines a spotlight on military members and their families, who continually make personal sacrifices for the betterment of our country. Lemus won $25,000. [Read the story here.]
Air Force Senior Airman and Lancaster school teacher Veronica Lemus was named the 2014 Dickies American Hero of the Year. The Dickies American Hero of the Year campaign shines a spotlight on military members and their families, who continually make personal sacrifices for the betterment of our country. Lemus won $25,000. [Read the story here.]
Erin Campbell, the general manager of Nadia Cakes in Palmdale, won the Holiday Baking Championship on the Food Network Sunday night, taking home $50,000 in winnings as the network’s first champion from the Antelope Valley. [Read the story here.]
Erin Campbell, the general manager of Nadia Cakes in Palmdale, won the Holiday Baking Championship on the Food Network in Dec. 2014, taking home $50,000 in winnings as the network’s first champion from the Antelope Valley. [Read the story here.]
In September 2014, this photo 2-year-old Jordyn chosen from more than 2,000 photo submissions for a special video presentation on a jumbo screen in the heart of the Times Square. The video highlighted the Lancaster toddler and other children, teens and adults with Down syndrome and effort to promote their achievements and acceptance. The story was our most-viewed positive news story in 2014. [Read it here.]
In September 2014, this photo of 2-year-old Jordyn was chosen from more than 2,000 photo submissions from around the country for a special video presentation on a jumbo screen in the heart of Times Square. The video highlighted the Lancaster toddler and other children, teens and adults with Down syndrome as part  of an effort to promote their achievements and acceptance. The story was our most-viewed positive news story in 2014. [Read it here.]
Capt. Eric Koenig of Edwards Air Force Base, a dentist by day and writer by night, saw his goals become reality on Veterans Day 2014, when Paramount Pictures purchases his screenplay. Koenig’s “Matriarch” could be on the big screen within the next few years. [Read the story here.] (U.S. Air Force photo by Rebecca Amber)
Capt. Eric Koenig of Edwards Air Force Base, a dentist by day and writer by night, saw his goals become reality on Veterans Day 2014, when Paramount Pictures purchased his screenplay. Koenig’s “Matriarch” could be on the big screen within the next few years. [Read the story here.] (U.S. Air Force photo by Rebecca Amber)
Maj. Kevin Van Stone made the local news in March 2014 when he surprised his son at Meadowlark Elementary in Acton after a long deployment. He made national news about four months later when he won $100,000 during The Price is Right game show’s Fourth of July “Salute to the Troops.” [Read the story here.]
Maj. Kevin Van Stone made the local news in March 2014, when he surprised his son at Meadowlark Elementary in Acton after a long deployment. He made national news about four months later, when he won $100,000 during The Price is Right game show’s Fourth of July “Salute to the Troops.” [Read the story here.]
In September 2014, the JetHawks captured the 2014 California League championship. The victory marked the second title in the franchise’s 19-year history and the first since the team’s first crown in 2012. [Read the story here.]
In September 2014, the Lancaster JetHawks captured the 2014 California League championship. The victory marked the second title in the franchise’s 19-year history and the first since the team’s first crown in 2012. [Read the story here.] (Photo courtesy Jethawks)
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Filed Under: Acton