LFIA is pleased to announce that graduating John Marshall High School senior, Isaac Chung, will be the first recipient of the $2,500 Tom LaBonge Leadership Scholarship established last year in memory of the long-time Los Angeles City Councilmember and JMHS alumnus.

Tom LaBonge scholarship winner, Isaac Chung

Chung plans to attend Harvey Mudd College in Claremont where he will study computer science.  In a thank-you letter to LFIA, he wrote:  “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this scholarship for my future college endeavors. To be selected out of a huge pool of students is mind blowing.”   He was surprised with the news on graduation day in mid-June.

At Harvey Mudd, Chung said he plans to participate in educational programs that will help future generations: “I want to use my computational intelligence to help people across the world.”

Despite his busy schedule, Chung found time to volunteer with community organizations, including tutoring in an after-school program and as a volunteer at his church.  He also volunteered at the Center for Better Life, a senior healthcare center and received the Bronze Presidential Service Award.

Tom LaBonge at his desk in City Hall, 1982

In announcing the LaBonge scholarship awardee, LFIA president Amy Gustincic said, “We especially want to thank all our generous donors who contributed to the Tom LaBonge scholarship fund.  We know that Isaac Chung will make them proud.”  The former city councilmember for CD4 graduated from Marshall High School 50 years ago this year.

The LFIA scholarships go to college-bound JMHS seniors with financial need who demonstrate a strong commitment to leadership and community service.  In addition to the Tom LaBonge Leadership Scholarship, LFIA also awarded its annual Charlotte De Armond Leadership Scholarship award:  Charlotte De Armond Scholarship