Newsletter 6.15.23 | 2023 AWARDS CEREMONY
Cully Williamson ('75), Carolyn Jackson, Michele Himmelberg ('74), Cathy Jackson, Alyssa Martinez ('23) Oscar Alvarez ('23), Isaic Lujan ('23), Molly Williamson ('74), Nancy Biddle Sutterley ('75), Oscar Edwards ('72)
The Dr. Horace Jackson Legacy Scholarship committee was thrilled to present Oscar Alvarez with the 2023 scholarship at the John W. North High School Senior Awards Night. The committee increased the cash award this year to $3,000 per year for two years, based on expert recommendations. Three finalists received $500 each: Kaci Ginwright, Isaic Lujan and Alyssa Martinez. All four students are exemplary representatives of the scholarship, which honors the late Dr. Horace Jackson and his dedication to higher education and inclusivity. All four are enrolled at Riverside City College.
Isaic Lujan, Oscar Alvarez and Alyssa Martinez
(Kaci Ginwright unable to attend)
Oscar Alvarez stood out among the applicants as someone who shows tremendous promise. He challenged himself with a demanding curriculum; participated in soccer, track and cross country; volunteered to tutor elementary school students and achieved a 3.96 GPA. Oscar will be a first-generation college student. He excels in math and his goal is to graduate from RCC, then study engineering or a STEM-related program at UC Riverside.
The scholarship selection committee reviewed a strong pool of candidates. All applicants exceeded the 2.7 required GPA and many had taken rigorous course loads with advanced classes. All four finalists demonstrated a capacity to succeed, through their grades, activities, determination and/or leadership. The selection committee is grateful for the participation of two North High staff: teacher Linton Dean (a North alum) and counselor La’Resha Richardson. Other committee members were Michele Himmelberg, Oscar Edwards and Carolyn Jackson, Dr. Jackson's daughter. A special shout out also to retired Home Economics teacher, Rosalyn Anderson, who visited numerous classes to educate North students about Horace Jackson and the scholarship in his honor.
Watch the ceremony with Michele at the podium and Oscar and Carolyn presenting the awards (below).
One of the highlights of the evening was the opportunity for the entire founding committee to meet Oscar, Isaic and Alyssa before the ceremony. Watch the videos below to hear from each of the outstanding students.
It was moving for each of the alumni who came together in 2021 to establish the scholarship.
Nancy Biddle Sutterley, Class of '75
“After chatting with our award recipients on the hill in front of my old Spanish class, it was astounding and heartwarming for me to hear that the sense of family at North still prevails!”
Michele Himmelberg, Class of '74
“Being on the North campus was a reminder that people like Dr. Horace Jackson believed in me at a significant turning point in my life. It reinforced how important it is for all of us to pay it forward, and how easy it is when we care about the future of our communities. These young people are amazing and they need our support.”
Cully Williamson, Class of ‘75
"The fact that so many of the staff and teachers are North High Alums is a great statement about how committed the community is to supporting students. I was amazed and impressed with how much of a family feeling there is at North High School."
Molly Williamson, Class of ‘74
"Almost 50 years after my own graduation, I was struck by how much at home I felt and how connected I feel to North students and staff. Oscar, Isaic and Alyssa each spoke of the comfort they felt among peers on campus, the support they felt from their teachers and their desires to give back to their communities. Could not be prouder of them and my alma mater."
Oscar Edwards, Class of ‘72
“I am humbled and inspired to continue the support that is most needed for the students and delivered by teachers- counselors and administrators at J.W. North High School, every day. It is most evident that the family spirit – seeded by Dr. Horace Jackson – still resides on the campus today."
On the same day, The Press Enterprise had a front page article featuring Oscar Edwards. He credits his high school principal as being the strongest voice of encouragement and support at that time for him to go to college. Oscar received his doctorate in Business Administration this past year – an incredible example of Dr. Jackson’s legacy.
Another wonderful highlight of the day: Four Riverside restaurants supported a Dine and Donate fundraiser where a percentage of sales was donated to the fund. We are grateful to all of you who came out to support both the scholarship and local restaurants and to Duke's, Zacatecas, The Subway Station and Old Spaghetti Factory for their generosity.
We are just $5,000 away from reaching our first goal of $100,000. Thank you for your generous donations and for spreading the word. A yearly or monthly contribution makes a big difference. Our goal is to create a sustainable fund from which we can help more deserving Husky graduates. We are on the way! Can you donate today to help reach the $100,000 goal?
Thank you!
The Scholarship Founding Team
Nancy Biddle Sutterley '75; Riverside City College; BA UCLA 1979; MBA Cal State East Bay 1991
Oscar Edwards '72; Riverside City College; BA UCLA 1978; MBA Anderson School - UCLA 1981; DBA, Grand Canyon University
Michele Himmelberg '74; Riverside City College; BA USC 1979
Cullen Williamson '75; Cabrillo College; BS San Jose State University 1980; MBA USF 2001
Molly Williamson '74; UC Riverside; Cabrillo College; Riverside City College; Santa Monica College; BS San Jose State University 1984