Tag Archives: Neighborhood Voices Scholarship
Celebrating Ten Years of Student Scholarships
This year marks the tenth year that East Sacramento Preservation has awarded scholarships to outstanding students in our community. As in years past, this year’s recipients represent the very best of East Sacramento—young people whose hard work, character, and dedication have prepared them for success in higher education and beyond.
East Sacramento Preservation is proud to support public education, our community, and the students of Umoja International Academy, Sacramento’s International Baccalaureate middle and high school. This year, each scholarship recipient received a $1,500 award to help support their educational goals. We are honored to recognize three exceptional students.
Mahmoud Al Tayyeb exemplifies academic excellence, resilience, and integrity. Despite financial challenges, he has balanced rigorous coursework with family responsibilities while remaining active in volunteer and leadership roles. Driven by curiosity and a commitment to helping others, Mahmoud has earned this scholarship through his determination, character, and desire to make a positive impact on the world around him.
Sophia Schult demonstrates the discipline and perseverance that define true achievement. A standout rower and her class valedictorian, she has balanced demanding academics with the rigorous schedule of a competitive athlete. Her accomplishments reflect not only talent, but also resilience, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Sienna Durda is a remarkable student whose intelligence, kindness, and sense of humor have made a lasting impression on her teachers and classmates. Her passion for the biological sciences, combined with her humility and compassion, sets her apart. UCLA is fortunate to welcome a student of her caliber, and we know she will continue to inspire those around her.
We extend our sincere thanks to the scholarship committee, especially Sandra Carter, for presenting the awards at graduation. East Sacramento Preservation is also deeply grateful to the many community members whose generosity has sustained this scholarship program over the past decade.
This year, we would like to offer special recognition to Friends of East Sacramento, whose support helped fund the scholarships and assist Umoja International Academy with important expenses beyond the school’s regular budget.
Congratulations to Mahmoud, Sophia, and Sienna. We wish each of them continued success as they begin the next chapter of their educational journeys.
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.
Posted in Neighborhood Voices Scholarship
Tagged East Sacramento, East Sacramento Preservation, ESP Scholarship, Neighborhood Voices Scholarship
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