9 Students Received $21,000 In Scholarships From Santa Monica PAL

SANTA MONICA, CA — Nine students were awarded scholarships by the Santa Monica Police Activities League totaling $21,000, the nonprofit organization announced.

The awards were handed out last month at the Le Meridien Delfina in Santa Monica. More than 200 people were in attendance at the awards ceremony, including donors, recipients and their families, PAL said.

“This is a very special event for PAL kids and staff as many of the scholarship recipients are like family to us," PAL director Eula Fritz said. "Some have been with the organization for more than 10 years and we’ve all grown together through academic counseling and one-on-one mentoring.”

The scholarship was established through an endowment from Ed Simmons and Standard Parking and from Neil and Karen Carrey. This fund provides scholarships for post-high school education expenses to a PAL member who meets required criteria, shows financial need, successfully completes an application package, and is selected by the Chris Carrey PAL Education Fund Committee. To date, more than $175,000 in scholarships has been provided to PAL youth.

The nine Chris Carrey PAL Education Scholarship 2017 recipients include Christopher Aguilar, $750; Taneia Bryant, $2,500; Toni Bryant, $3,500; Brandon Connish, $1,000; Julianna De La Cruz, $4,000; Jacob Duran, $750; Luis Hernandez, $4,000; Kia Kohanzad, $2,000; and Jessica Ramirez, $2,500.

“PAL is a place I have been relying on heavily since the age of seven and it has always been there for me,” Julianna De La Cruz said. “I have forged a special bond with PAL that will never be replaced nor forgotten.”

In addition to the presentation of the Chris Carrey PAL Education Scholarships, the annual PAL Recognition ceremony provides an opportunity for PAL to bestow Community Recognition awards to deserving members of the community who have had an impact on the lives of youth. One award recipient was Officer Erik “Milo” Milosevich who is a former PAL officer.

The Santa Monica PAL is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a safe and supervised place for young people ages 6 through 17. PAL provides free academic and cultural programs and a wide variety of recreational activities.

Photo courtesy of PAL