Assistance League of Flintridge is offering its annual Mary Ellen Hillgren Memorial Scholarship, established in 1995 to honor one of its former presidents. Above, the late Mary Ellen Hillgren is shown with her husband, O. Warren Hillgren, a four-time La Cañada mayor, and their bassett hounds. (Courtesy of the Assistance League of Flintridge)
La Cañada-based philanthropic organization and its auxiliary are each offering scholarships to deserving students this spring.
Assistance League of Flintridge offers the annual Mary Ellen Hillgren Memorial Scholarship, named for the late Mary Ellen Hillgren and established in 1995. Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to La Cañada High School students who will attend a four-year college or university this fall.
Hillgren was a dedicated member of the group who served not only as its president, but was also president of National Assistance League for two years. According to League officials, she and her husband, O. Warren Hillgren — a four-time mayor of La Cañada Flintridge — were advocates of the public school system and had a keen desire to encourage students with exceptional interest in extracurricular activities and community service, as well as academic achievement. La Cañada High School students applying for the Mary Ellen Hillgren Scholarship are asked to include with their applications a 300-word essay describing how their activities outside of the classroom have helped build their character.
To find an application for the Mary Ellen Hillgren Memorial Scholarship, visit the League’s website, ALFlintridge.org. The due date for completed applications is Friday, April 1. Return them to the Hillgren Scholarship Committee, Assistance League of Flintridge, 4607 Oakwood Ave., La Cañada, CA 91011.
Winners will be announced during the La Cañada High School Senior Awards Ceremony. They will have their names engraved on a perpetual trophy plaque that is displayed in a trophy case on the school campus.
Cañada Auxiliary of Professionals of Assistance League of Flintridge, known more familiarly as CAP, also operates a scholarship program, which is open to students who live in La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta and Montrose and have plans to attend either a two-year college or an accredited occupational program in the fall of this year.
To qualify for a CAP Scholarship, applicants must reside in La Cañada Flintridge (91011 ZIP Code), La Crescenta (91214 ZIP Code) or Montrose (91020 ZIP Code). Students applying must graduate from high school by June 2016 and must have maintained a grade point average of 2.5 or better. The recipients will be selected on the basis of merit with consideration given to career goals, achievements, community service and/or school involvement, and character.
Applications for the CAP Scholarships can be downloaded after April 1 at ALFlintridge.org. Samples are available from the counselors and/or scholarship staffs at La Cañada, St. Francis and Crescenta Valley high schools, as well as at Hillside School and Learning Center, Village Christian School, Glendale Community College and Pasadena City College. They are also available at the Assistance League of Flintridge office, 4607 Oakwood Ave., La Cañada. Completed applications, along with a one-page personal essay, verification of grades, resume and two sealed letters of recommendation must be returned to Assistance League of Flintridge by Sunday, May 1. Incomplete application packets will not be considered by the scholarship committee.
CAP Scholarship winners will receive their honors during school awards ceremonies. Those selected for a scholarship will be invited, along with their family members, to attend a CAP meeting in September to be introduced to the organization’s membership.
For more information about the scholarships call Barbara Weber at the Assistance League of Flintridge, (818) 790-1328.
Carol Cormaci, carol.cormaci@latimes.com
