This month, four outstanding student-athletes from Eastwood High School were each awarded a $10,000 scholarship through the Jim Omohundro Courageous Leadership Award, a fund established to honor the legacy of a local hero and inspire the next generation of leaders.

The award was created by Ryan Omohundro in memory of his father, Jim Omohundro, a former El Paso Police Department officer, entrepreneur, and proud Eastwood parent. It recognizes graduating seniors from the Track & Field and Cross Country programs who demonstrate exceptional achievement in academics, athletics, and leadership.

Jim Omohundro served with the EPPD from 1974 to 1982. Twice injured in the line of duty, he faced a series of complex medical challenges that ultimately led to his early retirement at just 30 years old. Despite ongoing health struggles, he went on to found and successfully run J. Omohundro Construction, Inc., all while raising a family and living a life marked by determination and courage. He passed away in 1997.

Ryan, deeply impacted by his father’s strength and spirit, found healing and purpose through long-distance running. During his time at Eastwood, he became a four-year letterman, team leader, and valedictorian of the Class of 2001. The endurance, teamwork, and resilience he found on the track mirrored the values his father lived every day.

The Jim Omohundro Courageous Leadership Award is more than a scholarship, it is a tribute to perseverance, service, and the power of community leadership.