Kennedy-King Memorial College Scholarship Fund, Ltd.

2006 Kennedy-King Scholars

Kennedy-King awarded 22 undergraduate scholarships of $8000 each and 3 graduate scholarships of $4000 each in 2006.

Maria Alegre is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts with the goal of being an elementary school teacher.  She has worked full time while also maintaining a full academic load, and has managed to be named to the Dean’s List for five consecutive semesters for her academic performance.  She has worked at the West Contra Costa School District as a bilingual aide and also provides tutoring services in reading, writing and math. 

Elizabeth Ali is pursuing a degree in Communications and Public Relations.  As a student athlete, she has received the Athletic Department’s Certification of Academic Performance.  She also has volunteered her time with youth athletic events and animal rescue.  She is described by her instructors as a student who “stands out among her peers” and one who brings “a bit of humor, energy and enthusiasm to class discussion and projects.” 

Annie Bell is a reentry student who is pursing a major in Philosophy.  Her parents were sharecroppers and she remembers the day when students of her ethnicity were barred from the University of Alabama.  She has been active in both LaRaza and the Black Student Union and has worked as a tutor in English, math, and child development for disabled students. 

Harold Bell is pursuing a major in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing.  He is  a member of the San Francisco chapter of the NAACP, and has also worked as a community volunteer in the cleanup program at the Bay View/Hunter’s Point Youth Center.  He is described by his instructors as being a “serious and articulate student, a leader in the classroom, and a gifted reader and writer.” 

Donte Blue has been a fulltime student while also working part-time to support his studies, and still finding time to volunteer.  He is the treasurer of both the Black Student Union and the Associated Student Union, and an active member of the Honor Society.  He has volunteered on campus, and also at an elementary school.  During this year’s African American History  Month celebration, he was one of the featured speakers. 

Jonathan Bradshaw is pursuing a major in Linguistics.  At the age of five he suffered severe hearing impairment as a result of a reaction to medicine that had been administered to him.  Rather than being set back, he notes that he has discovered a whole world behind the words that we use in daily communication.  He has been both a journalist at Contra Costa College and an after school tutor at an elementary school.  He has obtained a cumulative grade point average of 3.9. 

Sheldon Bradshaw had some significant problems early in life, but has worked hard at turning his life around.  He has made the Dean’s List, and since he returned to community college his grade point average has steadily risen.  He is already giving back, volunteering at schools to work with and tutor students, particularly in math and algebra.  He intends to pursue a career in the field of Social Services. 

Marlon Brown has a career goal of teaching at the college level.  He has been President of the Black Student Union, and in that capacity assumed primary responsibility for planning and facilitating weekly membership meetings and special events.  He has also tutored and mentored students at an elementary school.  He has been specifically recognized for his work with educationally disadvantaged children. 

Anabey Cornejo’s family has proudly built a strong foundation for her from their labor in the agricultural industry.  She has maintained a grade point average of 4.0, while also working to help assist her family financially.  She has interned at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco and at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory working with DNA reparation.  She intends to pursue a degree in medicine. 

Alexander Cruz is a member of the Honor Society at his community college, and while maintaining a full academic load also started an online business which provided him with sufficient income, along with financial aid, to pay for his studies.  He has received awards from the Los Medanos Honor Society for Distinguished Achievement and an Honors History and Honors Art Award.  He also has volunteered with the Loaves and Fishes program providing food to homeless and needy individuals. 

Illiana Delgadillo is pursuing a degree in Biology and intends to work in the field of medicine.  She is currently a volunteer at John Muir Hospital and has also volunteered at the Brentwood Health Center, where she has, among other things, helped to translate for Hispanic patients.  She has also been a peer tutor at the community college. 

Blanca Hernandez will be the first in her family to obtain a college degree.  She is intending to pursue a double major in Chicano Studies and International Relations.  She has been a part of METAS as both a student and as a tutor.  Her career goal is to work in the field of immigration reform. 

Marcus Holland intends to pursue a major in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree as well.  He has spent afternoons volunteering at an elementary school assisting in an after school homework program, and also works as a math tutor at a high school campus.  He is described by his advisors as “very bright and a fast learner” and as having “superior critical thinking skills” as well as being “very articulate.” 

Irma Huizar is pursuing a degree in Liberal Studies with a goal of becoming an elementary school teacher.  When she came to this country she could not speak English, and she hopes to help students coming from other countries in the future who do not speak English.  She has worked as a tutor in an elementary school and also volunteered to assist in a second grade class room as a bilingual assistant. 

Lesley Lara intends to pursue a career in medicine with her current focus in the field of cardiology.  She has interned at the California Pacific Medical Center and has also worked with cancer research professionals at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.  She has been a volunteer as a teacher’s aid for an introductory chemistry class, and also has participated as a math and science tutor. 

Humberto Lopez is pursuing an degree in Physics with a vocational goal of working in the field of electrical engineering.  While being enrolled as a full time student, he has also worked part time to support his studies.  He also finds time to volunteer as a tutor in the METAS program, focusing on helping Latino students with their academic skills.  He is a member of the Center for Science Excellence. 

Noah Mitchell will be the first in his family to graduate from college.  He has been a volunteer at the Richmond Rescue Mission, and has also volunteered in Oakland to serve and prepare food for the homeless.  He is one of the “starting nine” for his community college baseball team, and intends to pursue a career in criminal justice. 

Evelyn Ramirez is pursuing a double major in Elementary Education and Mathematics.  She has also worked as a tutor assisting students in mathematics.  She has a goal of becoming an elementary school teacher.  She also has volunteered as an athletic coach for an intermediate school volleyball team. 

Jennifer Sandoval is majoring in Communications with a minor in Spanish.  She is a member of the Latino Student Alliance, and the public relations officer for that organization.  She has also been a volunteer for numerous Latino cultural activities as a peer tutor in mathematics. 

Robert Smart is the first in his family to ever attend college and he plans to pursue a career in the field of medicine.  He has worked as an intern at Kaiser Permanente in Martinez and has worked part time while pursing a fulltime academic career.  He has also tutored students in chemistry, biology and mathematics.  He has maintained a GPA of 3.9. 

Franklin Ungo intends to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering at UC Davis.  He has been a member of the Center for Science Excellence/Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement Program.  He has also been a participant in the Upward Bound Program  at the University of California, Berkeley.  His instructors describe him as having “enormous academic and intellectual potential.” 

Chigozirim Wachuku emigrated from Nigeria and is currently pursuing a career in medicine.  He is an instructional aid for a biology class and a tutor in the math department at his community college, as well as working 20 hours per week.  He has been a volunteer at the Surgery Department for Sutter Delta Medical Center.  He also serves as the President of the Honors Program at his community college.  He intends to major in Molecular and Cellular Biology/Neurobiology. 

Kennedy King Memorial College Scholarship Fund, Ltd.
P.O. Box 727, Martinez, Ca. 94553
email: info@kennedyking.org
IRS Tax ID# 94-1677726