Pasadena-Altadena Links Award $17,500 in Scholarships to Local High School Seniors

The Pasadena-Altadena Chapter of The Links, Inc. awarded 10 local high school seniors and 3 college students scholarships – for a total of $17,500 – as part of the organization’s Isaac McClelland Memorial Scholarship Program. Established in 1968, the scholarship program was launched in memory of distinguished African-American Los Angeles City Schools Area Superintendent, the late Isaac McClelland.

The scholarships were awarded at an elegant afternoon reception at the Women’s City Club with special quests: Elizabeth Pomeroy and Tyrone Hampton, PUSD Board of Education; Brian McDonald and Sherry Joyner PUSD Office; Mr. Timothy Sippel, Principal John Muir High School; Mrs. Trudell Skinner, Principal Blair High School; Pastor Tyrone Skinner, Metropolitan Baptist Church; Francis Moore and Carol Caputo, PUSD School Counselors.

The heartwarming reception gave scholarship recipients an opportunity to share their goals, dreams and special thanks, “I am grateful to the Links, Inc. — the gracious women who took time out of their busy lives to help me be more confident in public speaking,” shared Marissa Dodd, recipient of the top award—$2,000 Scholar of Excellence Award. Marissa, a senior at John Muir High School will receive $2,000 annually for four years while she attends University of California, Los Angeles in the fall majoring in economics and mathematics.

“This financial aid is a blessing and because The Links have given me this opportunity, I want to do the same and be a blessing to others. Success means nothing without giving back”, affirmed Autumn Desmarets, recipient of a $500 Achievement Award. Autumn, a senior at John Marshall Fundamental High School gave special thanks to her counselor Mrs. Collins-Moore for her constant support and to her aunt for being a maternal figure when her mother passed away. Autumn will attend University of California, Los Angeles in the fall and major in Psychology.

The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of 12,000 professional women of color in 274 chapters located in 42 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Chartered in 1963, the Pasadena-Altadena Chapter of The Links has served the community for 50 years with programs focused on cultural, educational and civic affairs. Save The Date as The Pasadena-Altadena Chapter celebrates their 50th year of service with a Golden Anniversary Gala on Sunday December 8, 2013 at the Langham Huntington Pasadena Hotel. To learn more about The Pasadena-Altadena Chapter of the Links, Inc. visit www.pasadenaaltadenalinksinc.org

List of Scholarship Recipients:

Scholar of Excellence Award – $2,000 awarded annually for four years
Marisa Dodd, John Muir High School

Distinguished Scholar Awards – $1,500
Tyler Pulley, John Muir High School
De Rick Venegas, Blair High School
Jewelia Murrell, John Muir High School
Preston Mills, John Marshall Fundamental School

Distinguished Scholar Awards – $1,000
Justine Yarber, John Muir High School
Maiya Sims, John Muir High School

Achievement Awards – $500
Trinity Skinner, Pasadena High School
Autumn Desmarets, John Marshall Fundamental School
Marissa Johnson, John Marshall Fundamental School

Continuing Scholars of Excellence – $2,000 awarded for four years of continuous college enrollment
Ivelisse Dyson (2012), New York University
Brianna Atkins, University of California (2010), Los Angeles Brian A. Kundinger (2010), Brown University