Forty-six (46) graduating high school seniors living in Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) public housing developments and Section 8 were recently awarded academic scholarships. Students received over approximately $51,000 in scholarships provided through the generosity of the Price Philanthropies Foundation, the County of Los Angeles Probation Housing Based Day Supervision (HBDS) Program, HACLA’s 501(c)(3) Kids Progress, Inc. (KPI) and various other businesses comprising HACLA’s Section 3 program.
The students were recognized for their accomplishments during HACLA’s 7th Annual Scholarship Award Reception at USC’s Caruso Center on June 13. Los Angeles Lakers legend A.C. Green delivered the keynote address. Also in attendance were Cherrie Short, Co-Chair, KPI and Associate Dean of Global and Community Affairs at the USC School of Social Work, HACLA Commissioners Daniel Tenenbaum and Cielo Castro, and representatives from the Boys and Girls Clubs.
All students who received recognition and scholarships are active in the community and either come from one of HACLA’s public housing communities or are supported by HACLA’s Section 8 program. Many of the recipients are the first in their families to attend college.
Roxanna Andrade from Estrada Courts graduated high school with a 4.42 GPA. "At first, I wanted to go to UCLA, UC Berkeley, and then I discovered the Ivy Leagues. They became my dream, a dream I thought I couldn't achieve until I actually got the letters," said Yale-bound student Roxanna Andrade.
Jocelyn Velasquez Baez is from Mar Vista Gardens. Jocelyn will be attending Wesleyan University this fall. “I look forward to bettering the lives of my family, community and world as I continue to contribute my perspective and knowledge. My family and community have taught me that it is not always where you come from, but what you do that defines you,” said Jocelyn.
Some of the other schools students will be attending include: UC Berkeley, UCLA, Wellesley, Trinity College, Otis College of Art and Design, and various California State Universities and Community Colleges.
News coverage: ABC Channel 7, LA This Week, and Telemundo