Five outstanding John Marshall High School graduating seniors are recipients of the 2018 Los Feliz Improvement Association Leadership Scholarships, named in memory of long-time community activist Charlotte De Armond.

“This year’s winners  are the most incredible and amazing students,  with a long list of achievements and accomplishments,” said Marta Alcumbrac, chair of LFIA’s Schools and Library Committee, which recently bestowed the scholarships to the students.

The scholarship awardees are Kaye Beja-Rubic who will be attending UC-Berkeley and plans to be a civil engineer; Kiarah Hernandez will study psychology at UC-Santa Barbara; Alicia Hernandez-Miyares Garza heads to UC-Berkeley to focus on environmental studies; Sheila Milon is going to Dartmouth College and wants to be an international rights lawyer; and Elvia Perez will be going to Brown University to study political science and public policy.

Education is one of the primary missions of the LFIA, a nonprofit organization that works closely with the Los Feliz community and its five public schools.  The LFIA scholarship program was established in 2010 in honor of distinguished civic leader Charlotte De Armond, who served as LFIA president and chairman from 1997 to 2006.  She was also a prize-winning filmmaker and public relations executive.

De Armond was a courageous and highly respected civic leader who fought for what she considered right.  Her accomplishments blazed trails for women. Among her many honors, she won an Academy Award in collaboration with Taylor Hackford, for the Live Action Short Film, “Teenage Father.”

LFIA and other generous donors have supplemented the $2,500 scholarship that is awarded annually and is based on academic achievement, community involvement and financial need.

Typically, one worthy recipient receives a $2,500 scholarship each year.

But, this year, thanks to the generosity of the Roy and Patricia Disney Family Foundation, LFIA was able to provide four additional grants to exemplary Marshall High seniors as they embark on their collegiate careers.

This year’s recipients not only achieved academic excellence during their four years on the Los Feliz campus, but the diligent and dedicated student scholars also took part in civic-minded community activities.  Their outreach efforts ranged from organizing volunteers for LA River clean-ups to working with youngsters with disabilities.

“We had many deserving students who applied for the scholarship grants and, believe me, the selection process was not easy,” said Alcumbrac. “But our five winners definitely rose to the top with their leadership qualities.”

LFIA looks forward to following the career paths of the 2018 scholarship winners.  As they each leave the Los Feliz community, LFIA couldn’t be prouder of their excellent and exceptional accomplishments.