Award promotes Green values for young graduates
Los Angeles Greens launch Petra Kelly Scholarships
By Erin Schmidt and Lisa Taylor
Los Angeles Greens

The Los Angeles Greens launched the Green Party Petra Kelly Scholarship thanks to a generous donation from one of its members. In an effort to cultivate a new generation of young act­ivists, the scholarship awards $500 each to two students graduating from the Los Angeles Unified School District, offsetting college expenses for the coming year. The scholarship was set up in honor of the inspirational German Green Party co-founder Petra Kelly, who was a leader for international peace and the environment.

The scholarship's inaugural winners were Rumeisha Bowyer and Carlos Hernandez. One male and one female are chosen in an effort to maintain gender balance. Bowyer graduated from the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies and currently attends Cal Poly Pomona. An avid basketball player, she served as a coach and mentor to younger players, as well as breaking the gender barrier in her community's basketball league. 

At King/Drew Magnet High School, Carlos Hernandez sought to allay the racial and cultural conflict in his community by serving as Director of Assemblies and peer mediator. He hopes to continue building dialogue between the many diverse groups in Los Angeles while he attends the University of Southern California. 

Both Hernandez and Bowyer attended Los Angeles Greens events over the summer. They shared their stories with local Greens while at the same time learning more about the Green Party.

In addition to providing these outstanding students with extra funds to help with the costs of tuition, computers, and books, the Petra Kelly Scholarship allows the Los Angeles Greens to share with young people the Ten Key Values. "As a former Los Angeles City Council candidate, I hope the Petra Kelly Scholarship will inspire young people, especially women, to consider running for office some day," said Denise Munro Robb, the Los Angeles Greens' treasurer.

The group plans to hold an annual party as a fundraiser to continue the scholarship each year. The late Petra Kelly stated, "Greens are neither left nor right - we are in front" By helping the next generation of leaders attain their goals, the Los Angeles Greens are living up to her words.

More info at www.losangelesgreens.org 

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