Joe Ortiz, Chapter President
Riversidedollarsforscholars@gmail.com
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
Riverside Students Olubukayo Akinyemi & Makenna Lammons Receive National Scholarship America® Dollars for Scholars' Community Volunteer Service Awards
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA (May 31, 2013) - Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars is pleased to announce that two local students, Olubukayo Akinyemi and Makenna Lammons, have received national Community Volunteer Service Awards from Dollars for Scholars, a program of Scholarship America®. Ms. Akinyemi and Ms. Lammons were awarded a $1,000 scholarship each for their postsecondary education and were chosen for their dedication and service to the community, as well as strong academic achievement. They are also recipients of local scholarships from the Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars.
Ms. Akinyemi is a student and athlete at Martin Luther King Jr. High School and plans to begin studies in Biology in the fall at U.C. Santa Barbara. Ms. Akinyemi is actively engaged in the community, participating in the National Honor Society, Interact, Key Club, Advancement Via Individual Determination, and the Black Student Union, among other organizations. Ms. Lammons is a student and drama enthusiast at Riverside Polytechnic High School. She plans to begin studies in Psychology at Cal. Baptist University. Ms. Lammons is also on the Honor Role and is actively engaged with the California Scholarship Federation and TOMS Club at Poly High School, among other organizations. Both have demonstrated exceptional academic prowess and commitment to community service.
"We are very excited that two students from our chapter will receive these awards this year," said Joseph Ortiz, chapter president for Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars®. "We are well aware of the quality of our Riverside students and the depth of their commitment to the community. These two students are exceptionally well qualified, and are exactly the kinds of students our organization seeks to support. We are happy to see that our national organization has chosen to recognize them."
"On behalf of Scholarship America, we are honored to be able to award such talented and giving young women with this scholarship," said Lauren Segal, president and CEO of Scholarship America. "Ms. Akinyemi and Ms. Lammons both embody what Scholarship America and our Dollars for Scholars program is about-serving communities at a grassroots level to improve the lives of local citizens from the ground up."
Twenty-four students were chosen nationwide to receive a $1,000 scholarship based on volunteerism, community service, and academics.
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About GREATER RIVERSIDE DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS®
Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars was established in 1994 by a local businessman and philanthropist, Doug Wardle. With the backing and influence of Art Pick, CEO and President of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, Doug put together the original Board of Directors, which included representatives from the local K-12 school districts, higher education, the business community and non-profit organizations.
As the chapter developed it became a clearinghouse for local organizations and individuals that had scholarship programs with money to give away but not necessarily the time or knowledge to carry out the application, selection and award process. In addition, two board members served at the regional level at the California Dollars for Scholars office: Supervisor John Tavaglione served on the regional board for several years and Jerry Cornelison was on the staff helping to establish new chapters in the southern California area.
The first scholarships were awarded in 1995. Over the years, approximately $2 million has been awarded to over 1,400 students from 20 comprehensive high schools and special schools in Riverside, Corona, and the surrounding areas.
About Scholarship America®
Scholarship America mobilizes support for students getting into and graduating from college. The movement began in 1958 with the first Dollars for Scholars chapters. We became a national organization in 1961-and since then, we've helped more than 2.9 million students follow their dream of getting to college. As we enter our second half-century of helping students, we invite you to come and be a part of our mission. More information is available at scholarshipamerica.org.
Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars
Joe Ortiz, Chapter President
Riversidedollarsforscholars@gmail.com
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
Dollars for Scholars Program Helps Young Adults
BY JENNIFER DEAN AND SHARILYN HUNKE THE COMMUNITY-FOUNDATION January 18, 2013; 10:44 AM Originally published by the Press Enterprise
Since 1994 Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars has been helping to send Riverside's young adults on to bigger and better things. Each year, the nonprofit gives away tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships to students who plan to attend area colleges and universities.
"We've given out over $2 million in scholarships," said Board President Joseph Ortiz. "Scholarships range from $500 to a couple thousand. We hope even a little money will get them started and moving forward. We do what we can."
Funding for scholarships come from a variety of sources, including the Tavaglione Family Scholarship, The Community Foundation, local chambers of commerce and a number of locally funded nonprofit agencies.
"We do some of our own fundraising, but we have to give most of the credit to our partners," Ortiz said.
"The Community Foundation has been a partner of Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars for many years, providing scholarship funds annually for deserving students in the Inland Empire," said Celia Cudiamat, executive vice president at The Community Foundation. "$72,000 has been given in the last five years alone."
Students within Jurupa, Riverside, Alvord and Corona-Norco school districts are eligible for scholarships, as well as students attending California School for Deaf, Riverside, and Sherman Indian High School.
"We are also now accepting some applicants from Moreno Valley School District, thanks to a scholarship fund from the Riverside Dickens Festival," Ortiz said. "We are expanding."
Applications for this year's scholarships can be submitted through Feb. 7. Interested students should visit http://greaterriverside.dollarsforscholars.org.
Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars is a chapter of the international organization Scholarship America Dollars for Scholars.
Ortiz, who works as a labor employment attorney with Best Best & Krieger in Riverside, has been involved with Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars for about three years.
As president of the Downtown Business Council, Ortiz was already involved with Dollars for Scholars as a source of funding. The Downtown Council is among several councils under the umbrella of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce that fund several scholarships for area students each year.
"We each have our own criteria, but we usually choose students from schools in our chamber's geographic location that plan to go to a school in the region," Ortiz said. "We really want people to stay in the region."
Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars is working to increase funding for scholarships as the area's population continues to grow.
"I think we've doubled in population in the last few decades," Ortiz said. "And statistically, we still have a lower rate of college graduates than some of the surrounding coastal communities."
The nonprofit was active in The Community Foundation's Give BIG Riverside campaign last year, receiving a good amount of donations. Dollars for Scholars also has a fund with The Community Foundation, which provides regular income throughout the year.
To donate to Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars, visit http://greaterriverside.dollarsforscholars.org or http://givebigriverside.razoo.com/story/Greater-Riverside-Dollars-For-Scholars.
Over the past year the nonprofit has made some changes, including going to an electronic application process.
"For a long time it was old-fashioned," Ortiz said. "Students would fill out essays and write in all of their information. We had an army of volunteers to read the applications."
The electronic application process should streamline some of the processes, making the review process simpler.
"We worried some students might not have access or have a hard time with the online process, but that hasn't been the case so far," Ortiz said. "I think this will be a banner year for applications. We'll be helping a lot of students."
Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars
Joe Ortiz, Chapter President
Riversidedollarsforscholars@gmail.com
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars has partnered with the Community Foundation to participate
in the "Give BIG Riverside" campaign!
Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars is passionate about raising money to help get local students to college. We are pleased to announce that we have partnered with the Community Foundation to participate in the "Give BIG Riverside" campaign on November 13, 2012!
Give BIG Riverside, a 24 hour community wide day of giving on November 13th, will connect donors to local causes and raise much needed funds to support our local nonprofits. Individuals can support their charity of choice with an on-line gift and share this great event with others. Find the causes you love; "Like" us on Facebook and share a "Tweet" about your favorite charities.
Challenge your friends, family, and co-workers to "Give Big and Give Back" through the Give BIG Riverside campaign. Whether the gift is $10 or $100,000, it is a way for all Riverside residents to take action to do something good that makes a difference in the lives of others in our community.
Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars Volunteer, Kathy Wright,
Named Cy Seifert National Volunteer of the Year by Dollars for Scholars National Office
Riverside, CA. (July 5, 2012) - Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars® is proud to announce that long-time chapter volunteer, Kathy Wright, has been selected by Dollars for Scholars, a program of Scholarship America®, as the 2012 Cy Seifert National Volunteer of the Year, which honors and recognizes individual Dollars for Scholars chapter volunteers who are instrumental in successfully guiding the course of their local chapter in a significant and beneficial way.
Kathy Wright has served Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars in various positions since the chapter was founded in 1994. Her leadership, wisdom and expertise are demonstrated in the multiple positions she's held in the chapter, including President, Interim President, board member, and Scholarship Committee Chair. Over the past seventeen years, Kathy has helped to not only lead, organize, and be an active member of the chapter, but her service has also allowed the chapter to give over $1.6 million in scholarships to students in the community.
"As a former educator and a founding member of Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars, Kathy has worked tirelessly to create scholarship opportunities for our local students in Alvord, Corona-Norco, Jurupa, Riverside unified school districts, and special schools including Riverside County Office of Education, California School for the Deaf and Sherman Indian High School," commented Joseph Ortiz, Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars President. "She continues to be an inspiration to our general board and an invaluable resource to our officers. I can think of no one more deserving of this honor than our own Kathy Wright."
In order to be eligible for the Volunteer of the Year Award, a nominee must exhibit commitment to the mission of Dollars for Scholars and have more than three years of active participation with their local Dollars for Scholars chapter at a consistently high level.
Volunteers from any Dollars for Scholars chapter are eligible to apply. One volunteer from each region is chosen as the Regional Volunteer of the Year and is automatically entered into the Cy Seifert National Volunteer of the Year competition. Volunteers are evaluated on the following criteria: exemplary involvement with chapter and programs; efforts to promote and strengthen the chapter's work in the community; and exemplary advocacy for education, students and promotion of scholarships.
"We are so proud to honor such an outstanding member of our Dollars for Scholars family with this award and are incredibly grateful for Kathy's tremendous enthusiasm and support for Dollars for Scholars," said Lauren Segal, president and CEO of Scholarship America. "Kathy is the perfect example of what Dollars for Scholars is all about-local citizens helping hometown students achieve their dreams of going to college."
As the 2012 Cy Seifert National Volunteer of the Year, Kathy received a $2,000 scholarship for Riverside Dollars for Scholars, in addition to the $500 scholarship that she received for winning the regional competition. She will also be invited to Scholarship America's Annual Board of Trustees Meeting in October, where she will be presented with her award.
Members of the National Selection Committee were Debbie Busching, South Dearborn Dollars for Scholars, Indiana; Danuta Lysy, CSF of Westfield Dollars for Scholars, Massachusetts (2011 National Volunteer of the Year); Cy Seifert, HR trustee; Amy Nelson, North American Power; Dianne Anderson, Capital Group, California; Mike Madden, Simetra Financial, Washington; Mark Turchan, Deere and Co., Iowa; Marie O'Malley, Sallie Mae, New England, Colleen O'Brien, education consultant, Indiana.
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About Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars®
Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars is an all-volunteer organization with the mission of providing scholarships to graduates of Alvord, Riverside, Corona-Norco and Jurupa unified school districts as well as Sherman Indian High School and California School for the Deaf. Through public and private partnerships, we focus on well-rounded students who are engaged in community service and pursuing their post-secondary studies and training. In the 17 years of our existence we have awarded over$1.6 million on behalf of various service clubs, organizations, and for special groups and individuals that want to assist students as they enter college. For more information about Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars, or to contribute to the organization please visit http://greaterriverside.dollarsforscholars.org.
About Scholarship America
Scholarship America is a national education service organization that mobilizes support for students getting into and graduating from college. Scholarship America has distributed more than $2.5 billion in scholarship assistance to more than 1.7 million students over the last 50 years. Scholarship America's programs, which include Dollars for Scholars®, help fund both entry-level and multi-year scholarships, as well as emergency financial grants. More information is available at scholarshipamerica.org.
To read the Scholarship America article about Kathy please click here.
To View the inTouch Dollars for Scholars E-Newsletter about the National Volunteers please click here.
To read the Press Enterprise article about Kathy please click here.
Congratulations to our very own Board Member Kathy Wright, who was selected by Scholarship America as one of the Regional Volunteers of the Year!
*Exerpt Taken from Dollars for Scholars InTouch Volume 4, Issue 5*
Congratulations to 2012's Dollars for Scholars
Regional Award Winners!
Thank you to all the chapters and volunteers who took the time to share their stories with us and in the process complete their nominations for the regional awards. All the nominations were inspirational to read, and it was extremely difficult to select this year's Chapters and Volunteers of the Year. We congratulate the following for their extraordinary efforts (click any name to read their nomination on the Portal; click here to see the full list and award criteria)!
Regional winners will all receive a monetary award from the region, plus recognition from the national office. In addition, all regional winners will become eligible for the national award, where they will receive an additional monetary award. They'll also receive travel expenses to the Fall Scholarship America Board meeting, where they will be presented with their awards at a special recognition dinner. Once again, we congratulate each and every winning chapter and volunteer!
Students Receive 2010 Community Volunteer Service Award from Dollars for Scholars
Riverside, June 20, 2010-Greater Riverside Dollars for scholars is pleased to announce that ten local high school students in the Class of 2010 have been selected by Dollars for Scholars, a division of Scholarship America, to receive a Community Volunteer Service Award (CVSA). These ten students were among 57 chosen nationwide to receive a scholarship for his/her postsecondary education. Each student will receive $500. All CVSA winners are eligible to win the National Dollars for Scholars Student Volunteer of the Year Award, an additional $5,000 scholarship.
The recipients are: Joseph Oh, Eleanor Roosevelt High School; Arielle Dennis, John W. North High School; Chung-Sheng Lin, John W. North High School; Elizabeth Naameh, La Sierra High School; Najia Mansoori, La Sierra High School; Amanda Clarke, Norco High School; Daniella Alyssa Banario, Ramona High School; Kevin Pham, Ramona High School; and, Temitayo Akinyemi, Ramona High School.
Applicants for the Community Volunteer Service Award are evaluated on their record of volunteerism and community service, making the award atypical among nationally distributed scholarships. The scholarships, which also recognize academic achievement, are sponsored each year by a number of companies, foundations and individuals.
Open to all Dollars for Scholars chapters, this year's program drew applications from 87 chapters throughout the country. A total of 57 awards amounting to $28,500 were granted through the 2010 Community Volunteer Service Awards program.
About Dollars for Scholars
Dollars for Scholars, a division of Scholarship America, is a national, community-based, volunteer-driven network of over 1,100 grassroots scholarship foundations in 40 states and the District of Columbia that raise funds and provide financial and academic support to local students seeking postsecondary education.
About Scholarship America
Scholarship America is the nation's premier scholarship and educational support service organization. Since 1958, more than two million students have received more than $2 billion in scholarship aid through Scholarship America's Dollars for Scholars and Scholarship Management Services divisions. In fiscal year 2009, Scholarship America awarded more than $210.4 million in education assistance to more than 114,000 students. To learn more about Scholarship America and its programs, visit www.scholarshipamerica.org.
Elizabeth Naameh Named National Student Volunteer of the Year by Dollars for Scholars National Office, Receives $6,000 in Scholarships!
Riverside, Calif. (July 8, 2010) - Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars® is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Naameh has been named National Student Volunteer of the Year by Dollars for Scholars®, a program of Scholarship America®, and awarded $6,000 in scholarships for her postsecondary education. Elizabeth was chosen for her dedication and service to her community, as well as strong academic achievement at La Sierra High School in Riverside.
During the past four years, Elizabeth has participated in service projects through St. Joseph Church Maronite Youth Organization; served on the Riverside Youth Council; served as a high school math tutor; volunteered at local hospitals through Kids First Association, planted trees through Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful, volunteered with the Riverside Dickens Festival; served as a 12th Grade Representative for the California Scholarship Federation, and participated in service projects as a member of National Honor Society.
"We're very proud that Lizzy has received this recognition for her exemplary volunteer service. She is an excellent representative of the many involved and dedicated young people in our community," said Kathy Wright, President and Scholarship Chair of Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars.
Elizabeth will begin attending UCLA this fall. She hopes to eventually earn a Medical Degree from Harvard Medical School and become a pediatrician.
"On behalf of Scholarship America, we are honored to be able to award such a talented and giving young woman with this scholarship," said Lauren Segal, President and CEO, Scholarship America. "Elizabeth embodies exactly what Scholarship America and our Dollars for Scholars program is about-serving communities at a grassroots level to improve the lives of local citizens from the ground up."
In order to be eligible for the National Student Volunteer of the Year, students from Dollars for Scholars' communities first applied to receive a Community Volunteer Service Award. Fifty-three students were chosen to receive a $500 scholarship based on volunteerism, community service and academics. The top applicant was chosen as the National Student Volunteer of the Year and received an additional $5,500 scholarship, made possible through Scholarship America's participation in Best Buy's @15 Exchange program.
About Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars®
Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars is an all-volunteer organization whose mission is to provide scholarships for postsecondary education. The chapter serves schools in Alvord, Riverside, Corona-Norco, and Jurupa unified school districts as well as California School for the Deaf, Sherman Indian High School and the Riverside County Office of Education alternative programs. Since its founding in 1994, Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars has awarded over $1.6 million in scholarships to students. Over the past two years alone, 175 students have been awarded $149,300 by the chapter.
About Dollars for Scholars®
Dollars for Scholars®, a program of Scholarship America®, is a national, community-based, volunteer-driven network of more than 1,140 grassroots scholarship foundations in 39 states and the District of Columbia that raise funds and provide financial and academic support to local students seeking postsecondary education.
About Scholarship America®
Scholarship America® is a national education service organization that mobilizes support for students getting into and graduating from college. Since 1958, Scholarship America has awarded more than $2 billion in scholarship assistance to more than 1.7 million students through three programs: Dollars for Scholars®, Scholarship Management Services®, and Dreamkeepers. More information is available at www.scholarshipamerica.org.
Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars | P.O. Box 1178 | Riverside, California 92502-1178
