On January 26, 2008, Sammantha lost her life to a violent crime in an Unincorporated area of the city of Monrovia. She had just turned 16 yrs. old. She had just started to visit with her dad who lived in Monrovia, California. She lived with her mom in Alhambra, California.

She was a AVID student at Alhambra High School and a member of St. Vincent de Paul All Souls Conference and enjoyed serving the needy.

She was funny and loved to sew and knit.

Unity and Peace Sammantha Salas Scholarship Fund was created to keep Sammantha's memory alive and to raise awareness of senselessness random violence in our communities. And to help our young adults to reach their goal for higher education.

We are an non-profit organization and depend on our fundraisers and donations (Tax deductable) to give out scholarship awards to local high school students.

In the year 2008, we gave out 7 scholarship awards and this year we will also give out 7 scholarship awards.

Last year, Jeanette Chavez (President) received a Certificate of Declaration award from Sup. Michael Antonovich. And a Flag that was flown over the Capitol from Rep.District 29 Adam Schiff.

This year, Jeanette Chavez and Tina Yamashiro (Coordinator and Finance) Received Certificate of Appreciation awards from Assemblyman Mike Eng.

We are members of JHV- Justice of Homicide Victims, Marsy's Law, POMC- Parents of Murder Children, Crime Survivors, JMC-justice for murder children and Crime Stoppers.

Together we can make a difference and promote peace.