Five Los Angeles students received funds, laptops and books during the 10th Council District Women’s Steering Committee’s 34th Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon.
The afternoon event was held on June 29, at the Proud Bird Restaurant. The theme was “Embracing and Inspiring the Future.” Dr. George McKenna, LAUSD board member, joined Jacqueline Nunn, W.S.C. president; Julie Cox, W.S.C. vice president of education; and Joann Fleming, W.S.C. past president; for the scholarship presentations.
Elijah Joseph Dobson, a graduate of Dorsey High School, received the David Cunningham, Jr. award sponsored by US Bank. He will attend Florida A & M University and major in business administration.
Anika Rahotep, a graduate of Hamilton High School, received the Geneva Cox award sponsored by Los Angeles World Airport. She will attend CSU-Northridge majoring in psychology. Jada Salazar, a graduate of Dorsey High School, received the Johnabel Gentry award sponsored by L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. She will attend USC and major in business administration.
Milani White, a graduate of Crenshaw High School, received the Gladys Wesson award sponsored by the L.A. Department of Water and Power. She will attend UCLA and major in psychology. Malia Williams, a graduate of Dorsey High School, received the Alicia Salazar award, also sponsored by LADWP. She will attend Charles Drew University and major in biomedicine.
Each student received $1,000, a Dell laptop computer donated by L.A. City Council president Herb J. Wesson, and copies of “Chillin’ My Way to Success,” written by nine-year-old Kinya Bean and “Tigerbelle,” authored by Olympian Wyomia Tyus.
Tyus was also one of the honorees recognized during the luncheon. She received the “Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Sports” award. The other honorees were Congresswoman Karen Bass, the “Lifetime Achievement Award” recipient; Wesson, who earned the “Man of the Year” award; and Metropolitan Water District chairwoman Gloria Gray was presented with the “Excellence in Career Achievement” award.
Among the luncheon attendees were Sylvia Cunningham, the wife of W.S.C. founder David S. Cunningham, Jr.; retired Congresswoman Diane Watson, retired State Senator and former L.A. Councilman Nate Holden, Fabian Wesson, Ed Johnson, Trudie Abraham, Dallas Fowler, Rosa Russell, Jacqueline Hamilton and Proud Bird owner John Tallichet. In addition, Elaine Gibbs and NuSoul entertained the crowd with contemporary and old-school music and Cora Jackson-Fossett, L.A. Sentinel religion editor and staff writer, served as emcee.
At the close of the event, Nunn encouraged the attendees to join W.S.C. in its civic improvement efforts. The annual fee is $50 for members, $45 for associates, and $20 for seniors age 65 and up and students. She also announced the launch of the group’s Divine champagne, which is produced by the San Antonio Winery in L.A.
To learn more about W.S.C., call (323) 735-0879 or visit 10thcdwsc.org. A video can be viewed at vimeo.com/260154452.
