Optimists Award Scholarships, Grants to Pali High Seniors and Programs

By DEBORAH STAMBLER | Contributing Writer

The Optimist Club of Pacific Palisades awarded Palisades Charter High School seniors Biniyam Asnake and Ethan Aceved with scholarships in recognition of their hard work and achievement in school at an Optimist Club meeting on the morning of Tuesday, May 31 at Aldersgate Retreat Center.

Funds for the scholarships and grants come from the Palisades Will Rogers 5/10K Run Foundation and are raised annually from the 10K run.

“The Optimist Club is beholden to the Palisades Will Rogers 5/10K Foundation (otherwise known as “The Ridge Runners”) for the funds which we distribute. This has been a 38-year collaboration,” said Kane Phelps of the Optimist Club, noting that the foundation’s president Brian Shea was present at the awards ceremony.

Pali High Executive Director Pam Magee thanked Optimist Club Foundation President Don Scott and the club members for their contribution to The Roads to Our Future Program.

She also recognized the club for “making opportunities happen” for the school and students.

Asnake is heading to Claremont College to study computer science.

In thanking the members of the club for the award, he shared that his first year at high school was rough. He didn’t make the grades he wanted.

“But,” Asnake said, “with the support of my mother and the College Center, I was able to turn it around.”

Aceved will be entering the Humboldt zoology program in the fall.

He plans to continue his graduate level studies at UC Davis in the veterinary program. Both programs are very specialized and competitive.

“Thank you. I truly am an optimist in planning for my future. Thank you,” Aceved said, expressing his appreciation for the scholarship funds.

Pali High College Center advisors Karen Ellis and Diana Hurst said both students had worked very hard to get scholarships and “hustled to get extra money to get to school.” Ellis and Hurst expressed their gratitude to the Optimist Club for helping students believe in themselves and get the best out of themselves, adding that there are so many people who contribute to the success of students like Asnake and Aceved.

In addition to the senior scholarships, Pali High wrestling coach Steve Cifonelli and Senior Leader Kevin Rosen accepted a grant from the Optimist Club that will go for new uniforms and help offset tournament fees.

Coach Bud Kling accepted a grant awarded to the tennis team that will be spent resurfacing the courts and will go to new uniforms and tournament fees.

Both coaches and the student athletes on hand thanked the Optimist Club for their support and shared how much the support is appreciated by the student athletes.