“Our Youth: on the Move- On the Rise”
LUNCHEON HONORS BFA’s 2009 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
The raison d’être for much of what the Black Families Association does was realized on Saturday afternoon, July 11, 2009, when the organization’s annual Scholarship Luncheon was held at Marie Callendar’s Restaurant in Concord. On that afternoon, this year’s Scholarship recipients, their parents and friends, and BFA members met to acknowledge and celebrate the recipients’ accomplishments, which, of course, included their BFA Scholarships.
Each Scholarship Recipient was given an opportunity to introduce himself or herself, and it was soon clear to all present why and how they came to be chosen. Their individual persistence and dedication, along with the support and motivation of their families and school site educators were the significant factors without which they would not have succeeded. Those attending were also treated to the “advice and tips” offered by two recent graduates of high school and college. Nicholas Fields, a 2008 BFA Scholarship recipient, spoke about his first year at the University of California at Santa Barbara. He was joined by Shadrick A. Small, a 2007 graduate of the University of Southern California, who just completed his first year of graduate school at the University of California at Berkeley. Both young men articulately offered keen and interesting insights on making the transition from high school to college study.
The BFA again congratulates each of this year’s recipients, and it wishes them much success over their college careers. This year’s promising scholarship recipients were:
Saba Alemnew 
Travana Colbert
Travana ColbertHeritage High SchoolMt. Diablo High School
Mt. Diablo High SchoolBrentwood, CA Concord, CAArielle ColemanNerissa Hall
Nerissa HallDeer Valley High SchoolYgnacio Valley High School
Ygnacio Valley High SchoolAntioch, CA Concord, CANyree Hall Rene HarrisJohn F. Kennedy High SchoolNorthgate High School
Northgate High SchoolRichmond, CA Walnut Creek, CAVictor HolmesChelsey KamsonPittsburg High SchoolCalifornia High School
California High SchoolPittsburg, CASan Ramon, CAKevin WilliamsArielle WisePittsburg High SchoolCarondelet High School
Carondelet High SchoolPittsburg, CAConcord, CAAyanna WitherspoonHeritage High School
Brentwood, CA