The Smith Family Foundation recently rolled out the purple carpet for its second Trenton Stars Awards scholarship fundraiser, recognizing eight community members.
Family and friends gathered on Saturday to witness these people being recognized for their help to those in the greater Trenton area. The night is used to shine a light on community leaders and emerging stars while raising money for their scholarship program.
“This is an award that the Smith Family Foundation gives to community members who has made an impact and leadership in their community," said Dr. Valeria Arthur, director of community engagement. "This is where we honor people that have done great work or is doing great work, or they are emerging community leaders.”
The awardees were chosen by a private committee and were given a glass, star-shaped trophy with letters of recognition from Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora, U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12th), and state Sen. Shirley Turner (D-15th).
Awards were presented to:
- Donald Davis, Lifetime achievement award
- Stephani Register, Trenton star award
- Monica Carmichael, Trenton star award
- James Jackson, Business award
- The Reverends Jose and Lydia Rodriguez, Clergy award
- La’Keisha Sutton, Rising star award
- Chris Munn, Rising star award
- Luis Gasca, Youth star award
Proceeds from tickets purchased for the award ceremony go toward scholarship money and book awards for college freshmen and high school students.
From last years’ Stars Awards, the organization was able to distribute six $10,000 scholarships, six $500 book awards, and two $250 book awards to Ewing High School students. In addition to scholarships and awards, the money is used to buy new and refurbished laptops and care packages for college students.
“The Smith Family Foundation’s agenda is higher education as the normal next step, and we don’t want to do it alone," Arthur said. “We want the whole community to get involved and this is one of the ways we can uplift our young people.”
She explained that the awards are “to let them know that what they see around them is not the end and is just the beginning of their future.”
Arthur hopes that from this years’ awards the foundation is able to give a Legacy Scholarship to a Trenton Central High School student. The amount of the award has yet to be decided.
India Duke can be reached at iduke@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @Inja_NJ.
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