Dreams of College Put Within Reach

For many students in the Los Angeles Unified School District, making it to a school like Stanford, Harvard or Berkeley is a distant hope. Even if they break through the tough admission standards, high tuition fees can be a major obstacle for economically disadvantaged families.

On Friday, 10 high-achieving sophomores came closer to realizing their dreams. The teenagers from low-income families were selected by the L.A.-based law firm O’Melveny & Myers to receive $20,000 scholarships named in honor of senior partner and former U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher.

As she accepted her award in a ceremony at the Los Angeles Central Library, Downtown Magnets High School student Rosa Jennifer Colin, 15, thanked her teachers and her mother through a teary smile. Her success comes despite difficult circumstances at school and home.

At the age of 7, Rosa was temporarily placed in a foster home. Her mother, allegedly physically abused by Rosa’s father, was deemed unfit by a social worker to raise four children on her own.

Even when Rosa and three brothers were reunited more than a year later with their mother, the family struggled to survive on her small salary from her job at a garment factory. Rosa’s two older brothers dropped out of high school, and her youngest brother has no plans to attend college.

Despite problems at home, Rosa persevered. Described as inquisitive and diligent by her former eighth-grade science teacher, Mide Macaulay, who attended the ceremony, Rosa worked hard to keep her grades high. She now hopes to attend UCLA and become an occupational therapist.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Rosa said about getting the scholarship. “I know my family isn’t going to be able to help with the money.”

Every high school in the district nominated a sophomore for the award, based on academic promise, community service and financial need. More than 60 students had been nominated.

The other winners are Issamar Camacho of Theodore Roosevelt High, Omar Carrillo of Bravo Medical Magnet High, Cecilia Ledesma of Taft High, John Ngo of Phineas Banning High, Antonio Olmos of Thomas Jefferson High, Vanessa Payan of Woodrow Wilson High, Sandy Ramirez of Fairfax Senior High, Jennifer Rodriguez of Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies, and Francesca Zetar of Hollywood High.

Christopher, along with Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti, offered words of wisdom and advice to the young students at the ceremony. For Christopher, who attended Hollywood High, the awards hold a special significance.

The scholarship “really does seem to have a halo effect,” Christopher said. “It gives them confidence. It’s just a start for them.”

The scholarships come out of a more than $1.5-million endowment established by the law firm in the former secretary of State’s name in 1992. Friday’s award winners will join 90 previous scholarship recipients.