MLK School Dream Foundation Gives Boost to College-Bound Seniors
By Taryn Zier
With a little help from the Martin Luther King School Dream Foundation, Garfield High School senior Jasmine Harris is on her way to college. The 18-year-old’s goal is to land a career as a fashion buyer someday. She knows that achieving it won’t be easy. Harris is a single mother.
Even with the pressure of parenting her 5-month-old son, Makai’, and trying to maintain her grades, Harris stays positive. "I knew I had to forget about what everyone else was thinking, stand my ground, focus and get it together." As she proclaims in her scholarship application essay, struggle often leads to progress.
Harris’ resoluteness impressed Jan Lind-Sherman, vice-chairwoman of the MLK School Dream Foundation, which recently awarded Harris and 11 other ambitious seniors $1,000 scholarships.
Harris will be attending the University of Washington Bothell and hopes to take online classes in fashion at The Art Institute of Seattle. "Getting accepted to college and receiving the scholarship gives me faith that I can do this," said Harris. "With each stepping stone, I tell myself, 'You got it, you got it, keep going.'"
Now in its 11th year of awarding scholarships, primarily to students from low-income families, the MLK School Dream Foundation selects winners based on essays the teens write about their dreams and life experiences. Applicants must also have attended Seattle's Martin Luther King Elementary School in their youth, performed community service and be accepted into a college.
Lind-Sherman and her husband, Vaughn Sherman, created the foundation after winning $8 million in the lottery in 1993. Lind-Sherman taught at MLK Elementary for several years, before it merged with T.T. Minor Elementary School in 2006, and her experiences had a profound impact on her.
"These kids deserve their chance, a chance to follow their dream," said Lind-Sherman. "It can be difficult for them to get through the harsh realities of life, but by giving them that first little nudge on the path, we hope to instill what turns out to be a lifelong love of learning."
Since its inception, the foundation has granted 90 scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $3,500 (the value has varied from year to year depending on the stock market’s fluctuations), to the tune of about $175,000. Lind-Sherman is now working to ensure that the foundation lives on when the last of the MLK Elementary students have graduated. She hopes the foundation can expand its mission to include other schools serving low-income families.
"Many of our scholarship students are leading successful lives because of help from others; one is an associate beauty editor at In Style magazine, another has written a book and been on a Barnes and Noble tour, and another is a lobbyist in Washington, D.C.," said Lind-Sherman. "These are only a few of the success stories that come about when financial aid is given to bright young people in need."
Lind-Sherman hopes that the efforts of the foundation encourage people to think about how they can help local youth. And she still buys lottery tickets, dreaming of what another gift could do for the community.
CONGRATS, MLK School Dream Foundation Scholarship Winners
These are the other 11 scholarship winners, who, along with their families, will be honored at a special dinner banquet on Monday, May 18, at Seattle’s Mount Zion Baptist Church.
BALLARD HIGH SCHOOL
Amanda Bagsby attributes her success in school to her grandmother, an instructional assistant at MLK Elementary, who supported her during her battle with dyslexia. She is recognized for being resilient and a mature leader.
Rashauna Dawson, who is known for her determination and excelling at school, believes her experiences will help her in a career as a child psychologist.
FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL
Liana Diga was trying to decide between teaching and nursing, when visiting a relative at the hospital confirmed her interest in the medical field. At school she is viewed as friendly, happy and successful.
Nharissa Harris's life experiences – helping with a brother who has Down Syndrome, a mother who was ill and disabled, and a father who endured a stroke – strengthened her resolve to pursue a nursing career.
Brandon Leonard will enter the field of mining and mineral engineering at Southern Illinois University. At Franklin he is seen as outstanding all around and the “go-to” guy for all things technical.
Chris Thavongsack believes that education is the key that moves the world. In addition to his passion for social activism and public service, he is noted as having a sharp, analytical mind.
GARFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
Jonathan Gore credits his mother's strength and struggle to keep a roof over their heads for his plan to major in architecture and social welfare. He hopes to help provide low-income housing for single parents.
Jemella Kennebrew dreams of becoming a licensed psychologist, using her life experiences to help her work with youth in urban communities. She is recognized for being mature, organized and good at working with her peers.
Imani Siu-Chang is interested in a career in urban planning and designing high-tech “smart houses.” She is also passionate about improving the lives of the disabled, so they have the option of living independently.
Nova Alternative High School
Epiffany Phillips looks forward to attending the culinary program at Seattle Central Community College to pursue her childhood dream of being a baker. She is noted as being intelligent, creative and hardworking.
RAINIER BEACH HIGH SCHOOL
Roemon Fields is known for his achievement in sports and great attitude. He shows leadership at church by feeding the homeless and listening to their stories, and vows to do great things with his life.
Taryn Zier is a freelance writer and mother of two based in Lake Forest Park.
