Young Scholars Awarded Money for College in Richmond

RICHMOND, CA- More than a dozen college-bound students were awarded scholarships at the Richmond Young Scholars reception Thursday evening, according to Richmond Police officials.

Family, friends and community members gathered at DeJean School to honor 16 hardworking teens that will be heading to college this fall. Scholarship awards were given in amounts of $500 all the way up to $3,000 and all came from local youth support organizations.

Menfil Gomez received the Police Officer Carman Santana“Strive for Success”Scholarship $500

The“Strive for Success”Public Scholarship was established by Richmond Police Officer Carmen Santana to assist students pursuing a career in public service. The scholarship aims to help Richmond youth who are hard- working and dedicated to making a difference in their communities.

Dakari Sams Cameron James and Karier Bryant Victoria Sims received the Richmond Police Activities League/Hal Holt Fund $1,000

This scholarship is being funded through the Hal Holt Memorial Fund. Mr. Holt was one of the founders of Richmond PAL and was the President of the PAL Board of Directors from 1982 to 2000. He believed strongly in helping others; he especially believed in young people helping themselves.

Martha Chavez received the Kaiser Permanente $1,000

Kaiser Permanente is an integrated managed care consortium, based in Oakland, California, United States, founded in 1945 by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser and physician Sidney Garfield. Kaiser Permanente is made up of three distinct groups of entities: the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and its regional operating subsidiaries; Kaiser Foundation Hospitals; and the autonomous regional Permanente Medical Groups.

Crystal Carter and Marcel Hines received the Coach Edward T. Lambert Memorial Scholarship $750

The Edward T. Lambert (“Coach Lamb”) Memorial Scholarship provides scholarship to student-athletes at De Anza High School, interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree. The scholarship was designed to honor Edward’s life and to make sure his dream and hard work of making sure student-athletes in the inner city of Richmond have the opportunity he had to go to college.

Garvey Buchongo Arnold Dimas and Marlon Creswell Sydnea Booker received the Chevron Black History Awareness Committee Scholarship Fund $1,250 - $3,000

The Chevron Richmond Black History Awareness Committee (a subcommittee of the Chevron Richmond Black Employee Network group) provides scholarships to high school students from the West Contra Costa Unified School District that have demonstrated scholastic achievement, community involvement and leadership skills. Funding for the scholarships comes from the Chevron Richmond Refinery Public Affairs Dept. and is given on behalf of Dr. Bill King who was a pioneer at the Chevron Richmond Technology Center and recognized for his tireless dedication to youth. Dr. Bill King is a distinguished African American Chevron employee of 27+ years (he retired in 2003) who served as a Chevron recruiter, mentor and community activist. Chevron is committed to making educational investments in this community and these scholarships provide an excellent opportunity to celebrate the academic achievements and success of these students.

LaTanya Stewart Alejandro Hernandez, Marleni Albarran Izabel Rodriquez, Stefan Moskowitz Menfil Gomez, Salma Ramirez Aguilar, and Andrea Walle received the Chevron SOMOS Employee Network Group Scholarship Fund $1,000

The Chevron Richmond SOMOS-Latin American and Hispanic Employee Network scholarships are awarded to high school seniors who have demonstrated scholastic achievement, community involvement, and leadership skills. All applicants must have an overall minimum GPA of 2.5 and be a student in the West Contra Costa Unified School District. Each student must complete the application packet and submit a 500-750 word typed essay along with a letter of recommendation. Chevron Richmond Public Affairs Dept. provides the funding for this wonderful opportunity and is proud to support college bound high school seniors in their academic pursuits.

Nikki Couvson received the Richmond Police Chief Allwyn Brown Scholarship $500

The Chief Brown Leadership Award is presented by the Chief to students who demonstrate leadership in the face of adversity and strive exemplify leadership to their community and peers.

Melissa Garibay received the Kiwanis Club of Richmond $1000

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. Some objectives of Kiwanis is to encourage the daily living of the Golden Rule in all human relationships; to develop, by precept and example, a more intelligent, aggressive and serviceable citizenship; to give primacy to the human and spiritual rather than to the material values of life. Each year, the Kiwanis Club of Richmond Scholarship is given to a high school student who fulfills our objectives through their everyday life.

Guadalupe Gaitan and Isidro Soria received the AAA Insurance Company $500

AAA Mission to serve AAA members & clubs by making insurance simple, proactive and personal. Also helping students achieve their higher education.

Izabel Rodriquez received the Richmond Police Officer Association $500

The Richmond Police Officers Association Scholarship Program is a part of an ongoing effort to improve the quality of law enforcement profession in California. To give young people from within our community a chance to improve their lives through a quality education. The Scholarship Program was developed from a strong sense of commitment to young people and communities from whom they come.

Announcement courtesy of the Richmond Police Department