Kennedy-King Memorial College Scholarship Fund, Ltd.

2005 Kennedy-King Scholars

Kennedy-King awarded 19 undergraduate scholarships of $7000 each and 3 graduate scholarships of $3500 each in 2005.

Gloria Adriano is pursuing a career in the field of mathematics. She has tutored in math, English and chemistry and is a member of the Puente Program. She will be the first person from her family to attend a four-year university and to obtain a degree, and hopes in that regard to be a role model for others.

Monserrat Amezcua is pursing a major in Chemical Engineering and is a member of the Center for Science Excellence program. She has combined this with tutoring students whose math performance was below grade level at a local middle school and also tutoring high school students in chemistry. She has had the opportunity to do a summer internship at the Lawrence-Berkeley National Laboratory and has benefited from a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Maria Cabada will pursue her Bachelor’s Degree at Cal State East Bay and plans to also obtain a teaching credential. Her goal is to be a kindergarten teacher, given her own experiences of entering kindergarten without any knowledge of English, and wanting to help others in a similar position. She has volunteered as a reading tutor and also has volunteered for creek cleanups and at a nature preserve.

Bruce Candia has a career goal of obtaining a degree in Electrical Engineering. He applied to and was accepted in the Center for Science Excellent program (CSE) and received the CSE Award for three consecutive semesters. He has tutored students in all areas of mathematics as well as working closely with his professors.

Eberchukwu Chukwueke emigrated to this country from Nigeria and has been guaranteed admission as a chemistry major at the University of California, Davis. She has been a member of the Center for Science Excellence and has volunteered as a math and chemistry tutor. She has also volunteered at Saint Anthony’s clinic in San Francisco and interned with the California Pacific Medical Center.

Wachuku Esechimere emigrated to this country from Nigeria, and as a result of his life experiences, plans to pursue a career in health care. While working full time, he has also been named as a member of the Los Medanos College Honors Program and has participated in Honors Club activities and seminars. He is the only student in the history of the Honors Program to complete all five required Honors Courses in one year, earning the coveted award of “Honors Scholar.”

Elvis Espero came from a neighborhood where some of the houses were made out of cardboard boxes while others were homeless. He has been a student athlete, playing both football and volleyball. Mr. Espero has also been a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and for the biology and physical science departments and hopes to pursue a career in medicine.

Fernanda Garcia-Haro plans to pursue a degree in Liberal Arts and thereafter obtain a teaching credential. She has been a tutor at both the high school and elementary school level, and has worked as a part time teaching assistant. She has a cumulative grade point average in excess of 3.7, and is commended by her references as a student with exceptional academic and intellectual potential.

Vivien Grays has been a member of the Wright Team, volunteer students who help analyze and comment on the written work of other students and tutors them in their work. While going to school full time, she has also worked part time and will be the first member of her family to earn a college degree. She plans to pursue a career in health care.

Andrea Herrera is majoring in Mass Communication and plans to enter the world of non-profit public relations. She has already been involved in working with non-profit organizations and Latino organizations in the field of public relations. She has also been involved in a number of leadership activities, including the Puente Project.

While attending community college, Latasha Pipkin has also worked as a teacher’s aid with handicapped children. She has a GPA in excess of 3.7, and a GPA of 4.0 during the semesters when she has not been employed on a full time basis. She brings both practical experience and a creative and flexible intelligence to the teaching profession.

Daniella Poy-Wing has been the President of the California Youth Connection and in that capacity has been an advocate at the State Capitol for a Bill of Rights for foster youth. She has been enrolled full time at the community college, worked part time, and also volunteered. She plans to obtain a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and to become a family nurse practitioner.

Hector Ramos’ life experiences to date include working in a variety of agricultural and food industry jobs, leading to an interest in pursuing a degree in Business Administration. He has collaborated with the Association of Hispanic Professionals to develop partnerships with local businesses and promote Hispanic cultural events. He has served as President of the Diablo Valley College Business Club Executive Board, and has a GPA in excess of 3.9.

Rafael Ramos emigrated from the Philippines determined to pursue higher education. He has been involved in student government, and has been named as a representative to the Cultural Awareness Committee, and is an active member of the Honor Society as well as the Filipino-American Cultural Association. He has been a volunteer at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and plans to pursue a career in health care.

Jiguett Sanchez first enrolled in San Francisco City College as a beginning ESL student, having emigrated to California from Peru. She has developed her English skills at the same time that she pursued her academic career at the community college and now plans to seek a degree in Economics. She has also managed to be employed on a full time basis while developing her language skills and pursuing her academic career.

Cairy Sirmons has been accepted at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and plans to major in Corporate Communications with a minor in Business Marketing. He also volunteers working with underprivileged high school students in a program called Shakur Village where students are encouraged in their education by building self-esteem. He has volunteered at Alta Bates Hospital working with the elderly and looks forward to returning to work in his community after he has obtained his degree.

Renee Sproles-Fovel has been a member of the campus newspaper and has targeted a career in journalism. She has been a member of the Honor Society and has volunteered as a teacher in ESL classes. While working for the student paper, and all of the tasks that go with being a single mother, she has maintained a grade point average in excess of 3.8.

Kaundria West has battled health and related problems and will now be obtaining her AA Degree and going on to obtain her Bachelor’s Degree at Texas Southern University. She has worked with the elderly and has also served as a youth leader. One of her references described her as being committed to her academic goals, and as a “beacon of hope” for other young minority girls and women.

Moises Yi is an immigrant from Peru who is pursuing a major in economics. He is a member of the Puente Club, the Latino Student Alliance, and the Honor Society. While working part time, he has maintained a 4.0 grade point average.

Kennedy King Memorial College Scholarship Fund, Ltd.
P.O. Box 2643, Martinez, Ca. 94553
email: info@kennedyking.org
IRS Tax ID# 94-1677726