Pasadena-Altadena Links Award $31,500 in Scholarships to Local High School Seniors

The Pasadena-Altadena (CA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, is pleased to announce the awards to scholarship recipients. Special awards were given in collaboration with the Pasadena Altadena Community Endowment Fund (PACEF).

Local high school seniors and college students were awarded a total of $31,500 in privately donated financial aid, 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.

Due to observance of social distancing guidelines during the COVID-19 response, our scholars were awarded at a virtual reception with Links’ Chapter leadership and members, along with the students’ immediate families.

The award ceremony for scholarships gave the recipients an opportunity to share their goals, dreams and special thanks. “I am attending Johns Hopkins University,” says Xiomara McDonald, graduated from Marshall Fundamental. “My goals for college and beyond are to double major in public health and neuroscience with a potential minor in linguistics. I plan to join a host of multicultural and service based clubs in order to grow in my cultures and give back to the community surrounding my college and home. A few of which include the African Students Association, The Latin American club, and Applying Science with Kids. After college, I plan to attend medical school and enter the field of surgery.” Xiomara is one of two scholars to receive the Pasadena Altadena Community Endowment Fund (PACEF) Award.

Fellow recipient Jordan Patton shared that he “aspires to become a director for animated films and television. “Additionally, I hope to start a non profit organization for underprivileged kids to learn about how to create their own original stories and learn the processes of animation. “I plan on attending the University of Southern California [and] intend to study American Studies and Ethnicity with a minor in Animation”.

Financial aid is provided to deserving students from Pasadena and Altadena schools. Distinguished Scholar recipients Joseph Dolloway, Anuoluwapo Bakare, and Haley Cogshell all share admirable life goals. Joseph will attend the University of California, Los Angeles, majoring in Physiological Science with a minor in Public Health. In the future, Joseph plans to enroll in medical school to pursue a career as an Orthopedic Surgeon.

Anuoluwapo aka “Anu” plans for Biola University to “graduate from college with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, then to get a Master’s degree in Software Engineering. I plan to work in a good technology company, then in the long term start my own technology company.” Haley shared with us that she will attend “either UCLA or Howard University (Washington DC), majoring in biology to pursue my dream career as a cardiovascular surgeon”.

Achieved Scholar Imani Hayes expressed the group’s sentiment. “Thank you for this amazing opportunity, I am truly honored and humbled by your gift.” Imani is joined by fellow Achieved Scholars in her thanks by Hasan Spencer and Makana Woods, all graduating seniors of John Muir High School.

LIST OF SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS:

Scholar of Excellence Award – $8,000, awarded $2,000 annually for four years
Saudia Usher, John Muir High School

Distinguished Scholar Awards – $2,000
Joseph Dolloway, John Muir High School
Haley Cogshell, John Muir High School
Anuoluwapo Bakare, Blair High School

PACEF Award – $5,000
Xiomara McDonald, Marshall Fundamental High School
Jordan Patton, Marshall Fundamental High School

Achieved Scholar Awards – $1,000
Jai Bailey, John Muir High School
Imani Hayes, John Muir High School
Hasan Spencer, John Muir High School
Makana Woods, John Muir High School

Dr. Claudia Alexander Memorial Scholarship – $1,000
Lindsey Bailey, Marshall Fundamental High School
Ethan Fleming, John Muir High School

Jacqueline Howard Memorial Scholarship – $1,000
Preston Kealing, Marshall Fundamental High School

Guy Johnson Book Award – $500
Clarence Shaw, John Muir High School

Continuing Scholars of Excellence – $2,000 awarded annually, for four years of continuous
college enrollment
Liliana Edmonds – 2019, UCLA
Taicyanna Butler -2018; currently attending UC Berkeley
Isaiah A. Da Sylveira -2017; UC Riverside

Dr. Hilarie Dyson, Services to Youth Facet Chair, stated, “It is truly an honor and privilege to award $31,500 to some of the best and brightest young men and women of the Pasadena Unified School District’s Class of 2020 and to recognize eleven outstanding educators who influenced these scholars during their school years! We have a reason to celebrate…EXCELLENCE in EDUCATION!!”

About The Pasadena Altadena Chapter of the Links, Incorporated

The Pasadena Altadena Chapter of the Links, Incorporated celebrates 56 years as a women’s volunteer service organization committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the cultural and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry here in Pasadena. A premier community service organization with 52 Active and Alumnae members in our local chapter with a legacy of friends providing service that changes lives. The members of The Links, Incorporated are influential decision makers and opinion leaders. The Links, Incorporated is focused on creating transformational programming and impacting lives in communities of color through Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services. We improve the quality of life for individuals, families and communities. The Links, Incorporated: “Linked in Friendship, Connected in Service.” For more information, visit our website: http://pasadenaaltadenalinksinc.org