By Mary O’KEEFE

Crescenta Valley High School students who are members of the Bridges program spent Saturday conquering their fears and building their confidence by rappelling off the Devil’s Gate Dam bridge in Pasadena.

Bridges is a mentoring program that educates CVHS boys on options for their future. They take field trips to businesses and to college campuses, and host guest speakers from a variety of industries. Each year the Montrose Search and Rescue team trains the teens on equipment and safety that culminates with their rappelling off the bridge.

Some of the boys may have been a little concerned about going over the side of the bridge, but they never showed it, said Deputy Scott Shinagawa, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept., school resource officer and the mentor for the program.

He added the exercise builds confidence for the members of Bridges.

The Glendale Unified School District does have some funds that help support the program, but there is always need for more, which will allow more field trips.

For questions about the Bridges program or to make a donation, contact Dep. Shinagawa at (818) 249-5871.

Photos by Leonard COUTIN

  Leonard Coutin, Mary Okeefe