By Erin Edwards
The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) proudly honored the 3rd class of Legacy Scholars at Dodger Stadium on August 5th. This memorable event celebrated ten exceptional students from the Greater Los Angeles Area, each awarded a $10,000 scholarship to support their academic pursuits at two- or four-year universities. The ceremony was filled with inspiring moments and activities, including professional headshots, a networking session, a stadium tour, and pre-game on-field recognition. This year’s ceremony marked a significant milestone in the Legacy Scholarship program, which aims to empower young Angelenos from underserved communities by providing financial assistance and fostering educational success.
Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia attended the event, sharing his own inspiring journey from high school to college and the MLB. He reflected, “It chokes me up a little bit, but thinking about my story going into high school, I had no desire to go to college — I didn’t think I could. Getting the scholarship to go to Cal State East Bay was a very surreal moment. I felt like I could put myself in their shoes, and if my story can help and inspire them to set goals for themselves, I feel like I’m doing my part.” Vesia’s heartfelt words underscored the transformative power of education and the impact of scholarships on students’ lives.
Stephen Nelson, the event’s moderator, highlighted the vital role of family support in achieving academic success, stating, “I’ve gotten to meet and know Alex’s parents, Bob and Cindy. They’re wonderful people. Two of the many in Alex’s corner… just as each of you have parents and loved ones who have supported you to this point and will continue to do so.”
Jenny Hernandez, one of this year’s Legacy Scholars, also shared her story: “My path has been hard, considering that my parents have been through a lot. They are immigrants and struggled a lot to get here and give us even a little bit of what we have right now. So, being able to not only experience this myself but also give my parents the experience to explore this is just awesome.” Her words serve as a powerful reminder of the challenges many students face and the opportunities that scholarships provide to transform their futures.
Meet the 2024 Legacy Scholars:
- Brianna Lopez, majoring in Chemical Engineering at UC Irvine, from Jordan High School.
- Celeste Olivar, majoring in Kinesiology at Cal State Long Beach, from King Drew Magnet High School and a Dodgers Dreamteam participant with County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation South County Community Servies Agency.
- Daniel Morales, majoring in Civil Engineering at Cal State Long Beach, from Alliance Piera Barbaglia Shaheen Health Services Academy High School and a Dodgers Dreamteam participant with County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation South County Community Servies Agency.
- Gustavo Mejia, majoring in Business and Marketing at Cal State Fullerton, from Compton Early College High School and a Dodgers Dreamteam participant with the City of Compton.
- Hailey Lara, majoring in Psychology at Loyola Marymount University, from Animo Venice Charter High School and a Dodgers Dreamteam participant with the City of Inglewood.
- Jenny Hernandez, majoring in Biology at Cal State San Bernardino, from Jordan High School.
- Julieta Ramirez, majoring in Child Development at Cal State Fullerton, from Jordan High School.
- Rosemary Devian, majoring in Nursing at Santa Monica Community College, from University High School Charter and a Dodgers Dreamteam participant with the City of Inglewood.
- Sarah Atkins, majoring in Biomedical Engineering at UC Irvine, from Jordan High School.
- Sirhondes Williams, majoring in Business and Marketing at Compton Community College, from Palos Verdes High School and a Dodgers Dreamteam participant with the City of Compton.
The Legacy Scholarship program, launched during the 2022 All-Star Game in partnership with the Dodgers and MLB, continues to expand its impact. With a $10,000 scholarship awarded to ten scholars in its inaugural year, the program plans to support up to 75 additional scholarships in the coming years. This initiative is administered by the California Community Foundation and targets graduating seniors from the LADF’s Dodgers Dreamteam program and the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles College Bound and Future Pathways programs.
LADF CEO Nichol Whiteman, a first-generation college graduate, emphasized the importance of giving back and supporting the next generation: “I proudly hold the distinction of being a first-generation college graduate thanks to organizations that championed my success and leveled the playing field. I’m thrilled to pay that forward as we open doors and build bridges for our LADF Legacy Scholars and youth in underserved communities, enabling them to excel in their pursuit of academic excellence.”
LADF remains committed to addressing the immediate needs of underserved communities in health and education. With 1 in 5 students not graduating high school, LADF collaborates with partners like the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles to deliver comprehensive services that connect youth with vital resources. Through programs like Future Pathways and College Bound, the Club equips middle and high school students with the skills necessary to graduate high school and pursue further education or training. These efforts have resulted in a 100% high school graduation rate among participants, with 92% being accepted into college.
The Legacy Scholar ceremony highlights LADF’s dedication to creating lasting impact and providing young people with the resources and support needed to achieve their dreams. By investing in education and empowering future leaders, LADF is helping to build a brighter future for all Angelenos. To learn more about LADF visit Dodgers.com/LADF.
Celebrating Excellence: The 3rd Annual Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Legacy Scholar Ceremony was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.