LSP Challenge: Local Dollars for Local Scholars

What is Local Dollars for Local Scholars? It's a fundraiser for the Career Investment Scholarship program which provides scholarships to local high school seniors as they enter their first year of college. The Career Investment Scholarship program is an initiative of the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation to build scholars, leaders and communities!

We are encouraging LSP Alumni to make a donation of $25 towards the Leadership Saint Paul Career Investment Scholarship. The class that is able to donate the most money will be crowned "Best Class Ever!"

The "Best Class Ever!" will be announced at the 2011 Leadership Saint Paul Graduation and Alumni Homecoming on October 27. An Afterglow at The Saint Paul Hotel early in 2012 will go to the winning class along with a travelling trophy that will be awarded at the Afterglow proclaiming the champion.

All donations are due no later than midnight, October 26 to qualify towards the Best Class Ever competition.

Get your classmates together and get your plan together! Don't forget to include your LSP class year in the notes!

Success Stories*

Lisa’s Story

Lisa was the recipient of a HealthEast Care System Career Investment Scholarship. Lisa was ranked 24 out of 449 students in her graduating class and was enrolled in the rigorous International Baccalaureate curriculum. Her goals included becoming a pediatrician and raising awareness about health issues in inner city communities. Lisa served on the youth board of both the Walker Art Center and the Loft Literary Center and was a student athlete involved in both tennis and track.

Lisa achieved all this despite facing enormous challenges at home. She is the product of a bicultural marriage that floundered during her high school years. As her parents were enraged in bitter conflict prior to separation and divorce, Lisa shouldered much of the household responsibility for her five younger siblings, one of whom was paralyzed in a car accident a decade earlier. At the same time, she also endured a great deal of abuse at the hands of her enraged and frustrated father. Undaunted, this experience only increased her drive to succeed she has continued to pursue her goals with renewed energy.

Her high school English teacher wrote to us that, “There is no question that Lisa has a strong will to succeed. I have seen it nearly every day that she has entered my classroom. Her talent, determination and confidence lead me to predict a very bright future for her and I highly recommend her without reservations for any school, scholarship, program or employment she deems worthy of her pursuit.”

Lisa is currently enrolled at Carleton College.

Christine’s Story

Christine was the recipient of a Saint Paul Port Authority Community Re-Investment Scholarship. Christine was ranked in the top 10 percent of her graduating class, participated in Admission Possible, an extra-curricular college preparatory program and volunteered as a Big Sister. Christine emigrated from Cameroon during her freshman year of high school.

Christine’s father brought her family to America with hopes for a brighter future for his daughters, with access to quality education the top priority. Although education in the United States is very different than Cameroon, Christine took on the challenge to enroll in the most rigorous classes offered.

Her Admission Possible coach wrote, “It has been exciting and inspiring to witness Christine’s transformation throughout her junior, and now senior year. Still a recent immigrant to the United States, her progress is truly remarkable. As she continues to discover her own potential, voice, and passions she will continue to grow into an amazing young woman.”

Christine is currently pursuing her dreams at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

*Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals featured.