A Note of Gratitude—and a Reminder of Why Our Scholarship Matters

East Sacramento Preservation recently received a heartfelt thank you letter from Lucy Higginbotham, a 2025 graduate of Umoja International Academy and recipient of this year’s ESP Scholarship. Lucy is headed to Cal Poly Humboldt to pursue studies in wildlife—her passion and academic focus—and she took the time to write us a beautiful letter, complete with hand-drawn illustrations of local birds she loves.

In her letter, Lucy shared that the scholarship was not only a welcome surprise but also a meaningful contribution to her journey into higher education. It’s a reminder that our neighborhood’s support doesn’t stop at our sidewalks. It travels with our young people as they take the next step in life.

This scholarship program is one of the most impactful ways ESP contributes to the future of our community. It reaches students directly, uplifts dreams, and reinforces the values of stewardship, learning, and local investment. And this letter—thoughtful, personal, creative—is proof that it matters.

We thank Lucy for sharing her gratitude and her art with us. And we reaffirm our belief that this scholarship program has legs. It is not only alive but growing, with the potential to expand and strengthen as our neighborhood continues to invest in its next generation.

Let’s keep it going.

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2025 Scholarship Winners

East Sacramento Preservation is proud to announce that the 2025 East Sacramento Preservation Scholarship has been awarded to three graduating seniors from UMOJA International Academy.

Watch the 2025 UMOJA graduation ceremony here.

Lucy Higginbotham

Lucy is a tenacious scholar and a quiet leader, known for her integrity, reliability, and strong work ethic. She leads by example—whether in the classroom, in the field with her binoculars, or through her artwork. A passionate birder and dedicated volunteer at Effie Yeaw, Lucy brings curiosity and care to everything she does. This fall, she will begin her next chapter at Cal Poly Humboldt.

Jazmin Meza

Jazmin is a remarkable self-advocate and an inspiring example of what it means to strive for personal growth. She is caring, generous, and deeply committed to mental health advocacy. Jazmin has contributed her time and energy to multiple class fundraisers and consistently embodies the values of the International Baccalaureate program. We are proud to support her as she moves forward, and we look forward to celebrating her future achievements.

Charles Shaver

Charles is an exceptional thinker with a strong academic record, having excelled in honors-level courses since middle school. He brings clarity and purpose to every discussion, often leading with insightful observations and a deep sense of justice. A natural communicator, Charles is both sociable and thoughtful—equally at ease engaging classmates in conversation or guiding classroom dialogue. He will continue his studies at California State University, Chico in Fall 2025.

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