The Pasadena Educational Foundation coordinates and supports a dynamic array of scholarship opportunities for Pasadena Unified high school seniors. In the spring of 2024, PEF proudly awarded over $170,000 to 134 deserving students, empowering them to pursue their dreams of higher education.
As many families grapple with the rising costs of college, the need for scholarship support has never been more critical, and PEF is committed to making a difference. Our scholarship landscape is constantly evolving in exciting and inspiring ways.
This year, we are delighted to introduce several new scholarships, many of which have been established by passionate PUSD alumni in memory of loved ones. For example, the Joseph P. Zeronian Memorial scholarship, funded for 20 years by his family, honors Mr. Zeronian’s legacy as a dedicated PUSD employee and a founding member of PEF. At Pasadena High School (PHS), a group of devoted parents has come together to launch the Reid Gorecki Memorial art scholarship, celebrating the memory of longtime PHS art teacher Alicia Gorecki’s son.
The Altadena Chamber of Commerce has also introduced the new Marion Wullschlager Memorial scholarship that is available at every high school, including Rose City and the Center for Independent Studies (CIS). The Harris Bacor Family Foundation has expanded its RISE scholarship to every school, now encompassing CIS and Rose City.
The Importance of College Scholarships
College scholarships are not just financial aid; they are powerful tools for promoting equity and opportunity. They open doors for students who may face financial barriers, ensuring that every young person has a chance to pursue their academic and career aspirations, regardless of their background. Scholarships celebrate and reward talent, hard work, and potential, helping to level the playing field for students from underserved communities. By alleviating the financial burden of higher education, scholarships allow students to focus on what truly matters: their studies, their passions, and their futures! Together, we can create a more equitable and inclusive society, one scholarship at a time.
2024 PEF Scholarship Award Summary
Blair Class of ‘70 2 $1,590
Blair Health Academy Scholarship 1 $500
The Carson Scholarships 5 $1,250
The Nancy Scott Scholarships 2 $4,000
The J. Davis Scholarship 3 $7,500
The Nancy and Richard Esbenshade Scholarship
(sponsored by Munger, Tolles, and Olson) 1 $2,500
The Trudell Skinner Memorial Scholarship 1 $1,000
The Robles Family Scholarships (new) 2 $5,000
The Dorothy Reid Jensen Memorial Scholarship (new) 1 $6,000
Hopes and Dreams Scholarship 2 $1,500
The Patricia Kavanaugh Memorial Scholarship 4 $2,500
The Manwani Family Scholarship 5 $25,000
Retired Math Teacher Award 4 $3,600
JMHS Bradford Scholarship 2 $6,000
JMHS Class of ’65 Scholarship 13 $6,600
The Johnson Family Scholarships 6 $3,000
The Sheryl Orange Scholarship 10 $7,000
The P. Trivers Class of ‘54 Memorial Scholarship 4 $2,000
The Robert Gould Memorial Scholarship 1 $5,000
The Peckham Scholarship 1 $10,000
The Joseph P. Zeronian Memorial Scholarship (new) 1 $1,000
EESA Scholars Award (new) 3 $7,500
The John R. Martin Memorial Scholarships 4 $10,000
Wark Scholarship 4 $4,000
PHS Dance Scholarship (new) 1 $1,000
The Reid Gorecki Memorial Scholarship (new) 1 $500
The Phyllis Smith Memorial Scholarships 4 $4,000
The Angela Parris Scholarship 1 $500
The Brian O. McDonald Scholarship 1 $1,000
District-Wide Scholarships
The Marion Wullschlager Memorial Scholarship
(sponsored by the Altadena Chamber of Commerce) 6 $9,000
The Harris Bacor Foundation RISE scholarships 17 $17,000
The Norman Schmidt Memorial Art Scholarship 5 $2,500
PAASE 5 $1,000
LIFT 5 $2,500
