The YWCA of Glendale and Pasadena recently announced its 2023 Cami’s Courage Scholarship winners: Mary Tovbekhakyan of Anderson W. Clark Magnet High School and Anna Heur of La Cañada High School.
“Choosing two winners this year was very hard to do. So many of the applicants were outstanding,” said Dick Bennett, YWCA Glendale and Pasadena Board member.
Tovbekhakyan and Heur were each awarded $1,000 scholarships, which will be presented at YWCA Glendale and Pasadena’s 26th annual Heart & Excellence Persimmon Donor Circle Luncheon on May 17 at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club.
The students have engaged in community volunteer service that has had a real and significant impact on others.
Tovbekhakyan is a student-leader who works to enhance school culture and promote inclusivity on campus. She founded the U.S. Against Bullying Club and spearheaded a toy drive that collected more than 500 toys that were donated to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Heur is an aspiring doctor and founded a program called Step to Specs, which in partnership with the Keck School of Medicine has provided more than 1,000 free eyeglasses to uninsured patients at Los Angeles County Hospital.
The Cami’s Courage Scholarship was created in honor of Cami Burton, the daughter of former YWCA board member Carol Ann Burton. Burton was an inspiration to the community. She dedicated countless hours in service to others and tragically lost her life in a car accident while serving as an AmeriCorps volunteer in Malawi.
YWCA Glendale and Pasadena’s mission is to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Event proceeds will benefit domestic violence programs, girls’ empowerment programs and work advancing racial and gender equity.
To purchase tickets or become a sponsor of this year’s Heart & Excellence Luncheon, visit heartandexcellence.swell.gives. RSVPs must be received by April 25.
First published in the April 15 print issue of the Glendale News-Press.
