Two Alhambra-based non-profit organizations that celebrate culture, raise money for scholarships, and focus their efforts on Alhambra Unified School District (AUSD) families – are honoring 52 graduating 8th grade students this week. These organizations are the Asian American Association of Alhambra (AAA) and the Alhambra Latino Association (ALA).

Every year both organizations work with principals from the 13 AUSD elementary schools to honor students who have shined both in and outside of the classroom. Considering academic performance, leadership, overall improvement, and financial necessity, administrators choose the students that get a certificate and each of the 52 students honored receives a $50 gift card. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, elementary schools video streamed their graduation ceremonies on Thursday and Friday morning this week. The videos are available on the respective websites of each elementary school.

Next week each school will coordinate drive by appointments so students can pick up their diplomas as well as the congratulatory certificates and gift cards from AAA and ALA, keeping in line with the L.A. County Dept. of Public Health guidelines according to an AUSD graduation announcement. 

AAA is a student-focused cultural organization made up of local educators and community members from Alhambra and surrounding cities of Monterey Park, San Gabriel, and Rosemead. Their mission is to aid students in their path to achieving post-secondary educational goals.

With a board also made up of local educators and leaders, ALA has been committed to supporting the educational growth of k-12 students in AUSD. Like AAA, ALA hosts an annual fundraising dinner that both collects funds for the organization’s efforts and distributes awards to students from each of the high schools within the district, following an essay submission process.

The presidents of AAA and ALA offered words of encouragement to the eighth grade students:

“As a college and career counselor, I encourage students to apply to scholarships, as many as they can. Big or small, they can add up. As I always tell my students, no one can guarantee you a scholarship, but I can guarantee you won’t win one if you don’t try.” – Elizabeth An, AAA President, AUSD Career Technical Education Advisor.

“Adelante siempre. Always forward. Although it is easier said than done, try not to stress out too much because everyone else is being challenged right now and we are all in this together.  Even if everything looks bad, you shouldn’t give up, still give it your all.” – Teresa Ybarra, ALA President, retired educator.

Here are the winners of  the AAA and ALA 8th grade Scholarships.

 

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Visit the AAA  and ALA websites to learn more about the organization and to make a donation.

Asian American Association of Alhambra (AAA): http://www.aaaofalhambra.org/

Alhambra Latino Association (ALA): http://www.alhambralatinoassociation.com/donate.html

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Dominic Tovar is the Community Outreach Manager for Alhambra Source and a board member of the Alhambra Latino Association.