Newsletter 10.20.23 | Great News!
Just two years after launching the scholarship to help fellow Huskies (JW North High graduating seniors) we have met our first goal: $100,000 – thanks to the enormous outpouring of your donations. We are beyond thrilled and want to give a special nod to the Class of ’73 50th Reunion for taking us over the top! The class pledged donations of more than $3,000, bringing our total to just under $104,000!
John Fess, Class of ’74 President, giving Sandy Fulton-Garrett her half of the amount
raised in the 50/50 raffle. $575 to Sandy and the same amount to the scholarship fund!
There was overwhelming support for the 50/50 raffle benefiting the scholarship. As John Fess, Class of '74, told his fellow alums "This scholarship fund has been set up not only in (Dr. Jackson's) memory but to continue the work he would certainly still be doing had he not left us too early. The fund reflects his strong belief that it is just the right thing to do to take a personal interest and establish relationships where we are most needed and where we can make a real, positive difference in the lives of those who need our kindness and generosity."
To show just how significant a role Horace Jackson played in so many students’ lives, Mimi Kinsman LaGrande jumped up to pledge a donation that would bring the fund to our $100k milestone. “He saved my life,” she said, crediting Jackson for helping her graduate but more importantly, being a compassionate leader who she tried to emulate when she became an adult and a business owner.
Mimi Kinsman LaGrande (right) and Debbie Mollar Beck (left)
Class of 1973 Reunion 9/30/23 Riverside, California
It is stories like these, which just keep coming, that led the founding committee to name the scholarship after Dr. Horace Jackson. The scholarship mission encompasses the culture and community which remains at John W. North today – a culture of acceptance, tolerance and respect for all people. Dr. Jackson believed each student had value and was a valuable asset to the community.
The goal of this scholarship is to help students reach their potential and become successful and contributing members of the community. We are focused on students going (first) to community colleges because there is a great need there.
Our $100,000 milestone is just the beginning! We need your continued support as we focus on the next goal: pushing the fund to $250,000 so that it is fully endowed. This will allow us to help more students for many more years to come. We would like to award $3,000 to scholarship recipients for two years as they progress through community colleges. We are now hoping to involve more alums in the Riverside area who can spread the word and help with fundraising. Your continued support is very gratefully appreciated. Please contact us if you have an idea of how to raise funds or if you'd like to join a committee to help in that effort.
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