The Community Service Foundation arm of the Burbank Association of Realtors (BAOR) gave out $26,000 in scholarships to 14 local students, the highest amount ever awarded in the Foundation’s 27-year history. The Association met on Thursday, April 10, to recognize and hand out the BAOR scholarships to selected graduating high school seniors.
Burbank students receiving awards from the regular scholarship fund were Marina Hovanisyan, Rachelle Choi, Brian Kaplan, Paul Cho, Alejandra Moreno, Maeliss Gelas, Julianna Marx, Juliana Pineda, Nathaniel Low and Nikki Jew.
The Ray and Bonnie Adams Scholarship winners were Serjio Anleu, Yun Chang, Candace Fournier and Kevin Shon. Adams donated his 1959 Pontiac Bonneville and proceeds from the sale of the classic car funded the award.
“One of the great things about being President of the Community Service Foundation is to see what the youth of this great city have accomplished,” commented Realtor Eric Benz, Branch Manager of Dilbeck’s Burbank office. “It is clear our future is bright because of the young men and women of this community. It is an honor to be involved with a group that tries its best to help students achieve their dreams.”
Applications were sent to all the Burbank high schools and the Burbank Adult School and all students were welcomed to submit an application, said Benz.
The BAOR scholarships are determined from a multitude of factors, he added.
The Community Service Foundation is headed up by Benz as President and Co-chaired by Marion Chase and Chris Rizzotti. Linda Roberts, Karen Volpei, Alisa Cunningham, Shelly Valencia and John Scarff round out the committee.
The Community Service Foundation is a non-profit group comprised of Real Estate professionals. They support housing and education in the community through leveraging resources by fundraising, allocation and service.
“Our mission is to mentor and educate stakeholders, veterans, students and housing professionals by utilizing grants and fundraising to promote financial stability, leadership, education and counseling in the community,” said Benz.
