East Bay College Fund gives out 22 scholarships to Oakland, Emeryville youths

OAKLAND, CA-May 20, 2008

Contra Costa Times–Montclarion/Piedmonter

Best friends Clarresha Slay and Clarisha Walton of Oakland share sound-alike names, similarly dazzling smiles-and an exceptional drive to overcome personal hardships that have plagued their youth. On Thursday, May 22, the two graduating seniors from Oakland’s Castlemont-Leadership Prep High School will share a celebratory moment as they accept $16,000 scholarships from the East Bay College Fund.

The 17-year-olds say their friendship gave them the strength to survive and to believe they could become the first in their immediate families to attend college. Clarresha Slay, who left a troubled home situation last year, is a foster child who dreams of becoming a nurse. Clarisha Walton, who once lived in an abandoned house as a small child, now lives with her aunt and is an aspiring psychologist. “I want to be a child psychologist to help people like me,” says Clarisha Walton, who will attend CSU Los Angeles in the fall. Clarresha Slay will be attending CSU East Bay.

“It means the world to us,” says Clarresha Slay of the scholarship assistance. “I wanted better for myself and she did, too.”

They are among 22 resilient Oakland and Emeryville public high school students heading to four-year universities this fall as 2008 recipients of the East Bay College Fund’s “Great Expectations Awards.” Along with the $16,000, four-year college scholarships, each scholar will be provided with an adult mentor and other sustained support throughout the college experience.

The East Bay College Fund’s sixth annual “Great Expectations Awards” will be presented at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, at the Student Union Building, Rothwell Center on the campus of Mills College in Oakland. The community is invited to attend.

The 22 scholarships-the most ever awarded by the community-based nonprofit in a single year-come at a time of escalating college costs and economic uncertainty. “Despite the challenging economic environment, the community has really stepped up to help,” says Andy Fremder, president of the East Bay College Fund. “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to expand our scholarship support for these remarkable young people.”

Founded in 2002, the East Bay College Fund assists local students from low-income families and East Bay communities with historically low college attendance rates. The 2008 scholarship recipients were selected from among 175 applicants. The majority of the scholars will be the first in their families to go to college and have overcome significant personal challenges while successfully preparing themselves for higher education. This fall, they will attend such schools as UC Davis, UC Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz, San Jose State University, Sacramento State University, and San Francisco State University.

While honoring the incoming class of scholarship recipients, the East Bay College Fund also will celebrate the achievements of nine of its scholars who are graduating from college. Many graduates and current scholars already are giving back to their communities through volunteer activities and service professions.

Since its inception, East Bay College Fund has helped more than 80 public high school seniors fulfill their dreams of going to college. Overall, the organization has granted college scholarships totaling over $1.3 million.

For more information, please visit www.eastbaycollegefund.org