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Community Corner

Local Boxing Champion Honored by San Leandro Dignitaries

Nonito "Flash" Donaire, Jr., a San Leandro resident and San Lorenzo High graduate, was recognized for his accomplishments as a three-division world boxing champion.

In a ceremony Sunday, Mayor Stephen Cassidy and Vice Mayor Ursula Reed proclaimed April 10 Nonito "Flash" Donaire, Jr. Day.

Donaire, a 28-year-old Filipino-American who graduated from San Lorenzo High School and resides with his family in San Leandro, is a three-division world champion boxer.

He and his older brother Glenn Donaire began boxing while in high school, both winning several regional amateur boxing championships.

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Nonito Donaire and his father were in Las Vegas and could not attend the ceremony, but his brother Glenn and mother Melda accepted multiple awards on his behalf.

The boxer received recognition for his dedication, ambition and athletic achievements not only from the city but also from representatives for County Supervisor Wilma Chan, State Sentaor Ellen Corbett and Assemblymembers Mary Hayashi and Fiona Ma. Congressman Pete Stark also supplied a statement.

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Superintendent Dennis Byas also praised Donaire for his hard work and encouraged him to come speak to current students.

Wilfredo Santos, an official from the Phillipine Consulate General in San Francisco, thanked him "for bringing so much honor and glory to the Filipino-American community in the Bay Area."

The ceremony was organized by San Leandro Lions Club President Leroy Smith, School Board Trustee Hermy Almonte  and Dr. Jennifer Ong, an optometrist who recently announced her candidacy for the 18th Assembly District, a seat currently held by Hayashi until 2012.

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