Wave Staff Report
LYNWOOD — The Lynwood Partners Educational Foundation awarded 102 graduating high school seniors with $101,000 in scholarships — an increase of $14,000 from last year — during its annual scholarship reception June 13.
The scholarships will help support the students as they pursue higher education at trade schools, community colleges or four-year universities.
This year’s scholarship recipients will attend a variety of universities and colleges, including Yale, Stanford, UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, Cal State Los Angeles, Cal State Fullerton and Long Beach City College.
“We are thrilled to support the dreams and aspirations of our graduating seniors and are immensely grateful to our donors and partners for helping to eliminate barriers to their success,” the foundation’s Executive Director Elsa Chagolla said. “Investing in their education is an investment in our future, and we are committed to empowering these talented young individuals to achieve their full potential on their postsecondary journeys.”
Since its establishment in 2015, the Lynwood Partners Educational Foundation has been dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for Lynwood Unified School District students, securing more than $1 million in funding for Pre-K through grade 12 students in the form of college scholarships, STEM programs and other critical resources.
The foundation also supports teacher grants, school grants and wellness initiatives. In May, the foundation opened its Lynwood Alumni Center, which offers a dedicated space for current students and graduates to participate in networking events, college and career support, financial literacy workshops, guest speakers and community events.
Chagolla was recently honored by Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn for her work on behalf of the foundation to enhance access to educational programs and support student achievement.
“The distribution of these scholarships and the recent opening of our Alumni Center are remarkable achievements that underscore our community’s commitment to fostering educational excellence and providing our students with the resources they need to pursue their dreams,” Lynwood Unified School District Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite said. “We extend our deepest gratitude to the foundation and celebrate the bright futures that await our deserving scholars.”
