The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Westside Coalition presented Education Awards to seven high school seniors and recent graduates at a Jan. 19 ceremony commemorating King's birthday.
The awards, supported by endowments managed by the Santa Monica College Foundation, recognize students who exemplify the "Six Principles of Nonviolence" outlined in King's "Stride Toward Freedom."
Jessica Allen, a first-year student at El Camino College, received a Santa Monica/Westside Legacy Fund for Women and Girls Award. Allen plans to transfer to UC Irvine to pursue computer science with a minor in game development, inspired by her passion for video games and creating shared experiences.
Her brother Matthew Allen, also attending El Camino College, received a Martin Luther King Jr. Award. He plans to study psychology and astronomy at a four-year university.
A'Shari Hobbs, a senior at St. Mary's Academy in Inglewood, received a Legacy Fund Award. A track athlete since age 8, Hobbs dreams of competing in the Olympics while pursuing nursing to become a neonatal nurse. She has volunteered with the NAACP and completed an internship at Kaiser West Los Angeles.
Jade Hoskins, a Fairfax High School senior, received the Lillie Bell Blakley Award, named for the mother of former Santa Monica Mayor Nathaniel Trives. The aspiring entrepreneur and social media content creator will study digital marketing.
Jahzara Jernigan from Mayfair High and Middle School received the Sue Schuerman and Sally Mendelsohn Award. A four-year cheerleader and student government member, Jernigan plans to study law while continuing to cheer in college.
Santa Monica High School senior Amir Nesher received the Silas C. White Award. One of the inaugural students in the Law and Public Policy Academy, Nesher plans to study English and attend law school to become a criminal lawyer.
Ryan Wells, a first-year student at Cal State LA, received a Martin Luther King Jr. Award. The violinist of nearly 10 years is pursuing music production and plans to build connections through internships and studio work.
The coalition invites schools, churches and youth groups to encourage students to submit essays, poems or creative works for consideration. More information is available by calling the SMC Foundation at 310-434-4215.
Edited by SMDP Staff