College Scholarship Fund Established in Memory of Slain Ice-Cream Vendor

A college scholarship fund in memory of Carolyn LaFleur, a longtime Valley ice-cream vendor who was shot and killed this week while selling ice cream in Canoga Park, is being established at Jack London High School in Valley Glen, the principal said Wednesday.

Principal Angela Cleveland said the annual scholarship would be awarded to a student who not only has good grades but is also engaged in the community, much as LaFleur was.

“She was a very warm . . . person who cared for kids,” Cleveland said. “She was the backbone of her family.”

Pio Maldonado, a 10th-grader and one of LaFleur’s 12 grandchildren, attends the continuation school, which is affiliated with Grant High School.

Cleveland said she remembers LaFleur being persistent in getting Maldonado into Jack London High School.

“She insisted that we give her grandson a chance,” she said.

The scholarship would serve to inspire children to overcome obstacles in life much as LaFleur did with her large family and tight budget, Cleveland said.

No one has been arrested in her killing, said homicide Det. Michael Opelt of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Devonshire Division.

Cleveland said anyone wishing to help may direct donations to Jack London High School for the Carolyn LaFleur Scholarship and send them to the school, 12924 Oxnard St., Valley Glen 91401-4101.