Dia de Los Muertos Scholarship Fundraiser Set for Nov. 1 at CEC

The Pasadena City College Noncredit Division will be hosting its inaugural Dia de los Muertos Cultural Celebration and Fundraiser at the Community Education Center on Nov. 1.

From noon to 6 p.m., vendors – some of which will be students – will be on hand in the CEC’s Parking Lot C to sell arts and crafts as well as food.

The event will also coincide with Dia de los Muertos, a Mexican holiday observed worldwide that pays tribute to family and friends who have passed away. As part of the celebration, live performances featuring Aztec and folkloric dancers will be held.

Other activities planned at the fundraiser include face painting and coloring tables for children, a ring toss, and a raffle.

A percentage of the proceeds gathered from the event will be donated to PCC’s Noncredit Scholarship Fund. “It’s for a good cause,” said Teresa Deukmedjian, PCC Noncredit Division faculty member and event coordinator. “I hope we can raise a lot of money.”

Because noncredit students are not eligible for state and federal financial aid, PCC will use the funds from the event to help develop several scholarship opportunities.

PCC typically has more than 3,000 students enrolled in its noncredit courses during a semester.

“Sometimes our noncredit students don’t have any money to buy books or to transfer to the main campus and continue their education,” Deukmedjian said. “We’re hoping this event will help them.”

Some of the scholarships being developed include: Noncredit to Credit Transition Scholarships (Tuition and Book assistance); Adult High School Diploma Program Scholarships for Academic Excellence and Book Loan Program; and Grants for Starting a Small Business (to complement the new noncredit CTE certificates “How to Start a Small Business” and “How to Start a Small Business-Bilingual”).

For more information about the event, please call (626) 585-3034. The CEC is located at 3035 E. Foothill Blvd. in Pasadena.