FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 22, 2014
CONTACT: JOLEEN RUFFIN 510.542.2126
joleen@berkfund.org
BCF GRANTS RECORD NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS TO CLASS OF 2014 23 College-bound students to receive support to help them succeed in school and beyond
BERKELEY, CA – The Berkeley Community Fund (BCF) has chosen the recipients of its
2014 High Hopes college scholarships. Twenty-three inspiring Berkeley High and Berkeley
Tech Academy graduating seniors will be honored at an awards ceremony on June 9, 2014
at the Berkeley City Club:
Katherine Acosta-Hernandez
Nuha Al Ammari
Alejandra Alas
Alfonso Alonso
Raekwon Dallett
Yakira Evans
Kayla Garrett
Refujio Gonzalez
Nora Jang
Merwan Jemal
Priyanka Jindal
Tehan Ketema
Junming Li
Sophia Liu
Hao Ma
Julia Maciel
Amanda Medina
Monte Metal
Lyheng Phey
Evangelina Sanchez
Michelle Shannon
Derek Spears
Suyi Zhu
The scholars will be attending campuses of the University of California, a number of
California state universities, and private colleges, including the University of Wisconsin,
Barnard, New York University and Columbia. All of the students are in the first generation
of their families to pursue a college education.
Over 100 students participated in the High Hopes Scholarship application process this year,
making it the most competitive process since BCF established the program in 2008.
Recipients are chosen based on academic potential, financial need, resiliency, leadership,
and an interview with a panel of BCF board members and community volunteers. All
seniors graduating from Berkeley public high schools with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or
above who will be attending a 4-year college or university are eligible to apply.
“We had a terrific group of candidates this year, including a very impressive student from
B-Tech who was able to complete four years of high school in just two. A number of our
applicants participated in enrichment programs while in high school while juggling jobs
and family responsibilities. They are all amazing young people and our decisions weren’t
easy. We are thrilled that the community has stepped up to support 23 students this year.
We wish we could support even more,” said Jessica Pers, BCF board president.
BCF scholarships make a substantive difference to the recipients. Each scholar will receive
$16,000, paid over four years, and important services that help them succeed in college and
graduate: a volunteer mentor to help them better navigate the challenges and demands of
higher education, financial literacy training, transition-to-college workshops, and support
from BCF’s College Success Coordinator. Since 2008, BCF has supported 115 Berkeley
public high school seniors and awarded $1.76 million in scholarships. Our program has a
great success rate: Over 80% of participants in the High Hopes Scholarship Program have
already earned a Bachelor’s degree or are still on track to do so.
About the Berkeley Community Fund
The BCF is a nonprofit organization that has focused on social and economic justice issues
and the common good since it was founded in 1992, emphasizing philanthropy to support
programs that help at-risk youth and families. Based on our belief in the importance of
higher education to improve economic and social mobility, we now direct all donations to
the High Hopes Scholarship Program. We envision a future when all the young people of
Berkeley succeed in fulfilling their aspirations, develop their full potential, and share their
positive, enriched lives with the world.
Visit our website at www.berkfund.org or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/berkfund
to learn more about BCF and its programs, to make a donation to support future High
Hopes Scholars, or to get involved in our programs.
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