Do the Right Thing to Present Thousands in Scholarships at Award Ceremony
PALM SPRINGS — Do the Right Thing – Greater Palm Springs will present $95,000 in scholarships to 86 graduating seniors in the Coachella Valley.
On May 20, Do the Right Thing will present $95,000 in total scholarships to 86 graduating seniors representing 16 high schools in the three Coachella Valley school districts. Eighty-six students will receive scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $2,150 per student.
Do the Right Thing is partnering with The Desert Symphony for the first time this year and will be awarding $15,000 of the total $95,000 to 7 students who will be pursuing further education or a career in music. The $15,000 in scholarship money for these students was raised by The Desert Symphony’s Symphonette Society, including a substantial grant from the Goodwin Family Memorial Trust.
High school counselors were asked to nominate graduating seniors who were badly in need of financial assistance as they pursue further education/training or transition into the work force.
“We had not initially intended to fund every student nominated,” Terri Ketover, founder and CEO, said in a statement. “But in reviewing the applications, we were struck by the level of need that exists and opted to provide scholarships to all of these very deserving students. We believe that our sponsors and donors provide funds to help youth that are struggling today and are confident they will continue to support this life changing program next year and into the future.”
The May 20 Do the Right Thing event will also include its monthly award ceremony recognizing 9 outstanding “special recognition” winners selected from more than 300 nominees submitted by Palm Springs, Desert Sands, and Coachella Valley Unified School District teachers and principals. The winners are:
- Alaina Padilla, Horizon School
- Daniela Martinez, PD Charter Middle School
- Juan Ramirez , La Familia High School
- Nayeli Quino, West Shores High School
- Angel Perez, Coral Mountain Elementary School
- Brian Lucero, Westside Elementary School
- Maximilliano Ramirez, Cathedral City High School
- Diego Serna, Rancho Mirage High School
- Jeremiah Franklin, Palm Springs
Do the Right Thing encourages socially desirable behavior in school-age children and showcases “good kids” who are making an effort to improve themselves and the community. The goals of program are to help foster self-esteem in young people by reinforcing positive behavior and to establish these young people as role models for their peers; to build bridges of trust throughout the community; and to publicly thank youth who are “doing the right thing.”
Palm Springs Police Chief and DTRT Board Vice President Andrew Mills says: “This program has made a big impact in our community. Young people need to be recognized for doing good deeds and making good choices. In just its first 3 years, DTRT has recognized and honored almost 5,000 youth in our valley for doing the right thing. We are very happy to be part of this great program.”
The May 20th event will be held at the Rancho Mirage High School gymnasium beginning at 4:30pm. Media and public are invited.
Photo courtesy of Antonio Baciu. Photo taken at Palm Springs Unified School District Administration campus.
