Dina Sorth has been awarded Alameda Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association's first public safety two-year scholarship in the amount of $500.

Sorth, a 2008 Encinal High School graduate, plans to use the $500 award to help pay tuition at Merritt College, where she will study the administration of justice.

Sorth received Alameda Police Department's Event Volunteer of the Year Award in 2008.

"I have always been interested in law enforcement, and Officer Bradley, my high school's school resource officer, encouraged me to apply for the citizens' police academy," Sorth said.

She was also encouraged and supported by some of her high school teachers to follow this dream, she said.

Sorth's soft spoken and quiet demeanor can be misleading when thinking of the hazards and challenges of law enforcement.

She surprised many older men and women who participated in an Oakland Police Department's Physical Practice Test. The test's requirements included jumping a fence, pulling a heavy dummy, jumping through a window and running zig-zag through cones.

Sorth passed with flying colors and a high score.

"Dina is fulfilling a childhood dream. She always wanted to be driven by the police department and one time we went on an Alameda Police Department open house and sat in one of the jails," said Sorth's father, Tony.

"I am excited and happy for her. There is no looking back or stopping her now."