Westside Story Newspaper – Online The News of The Empire – Sharing the Quest for Excellence
SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The 56th Beautillion Scholarship Program culminated on April 1, 2023, at California State University, San Bernardino. Master of Ceremonies, Raafi Bell, Principal at Hardy Brown College Prep and 2004 Beautillion Sir Knight tied the past fifty-five Beautillion themes into an empowering history of the Beautillion, closing with this year’s theme, “I AM…Changing the Narrative.” Keynote Speaker was Lawrence Charles Hardy, Equity & Targeted Student Achievement Program Specialist/Family Engagement with the San Bernardino County Unified School District. Lawrence emphasized the importance of higher education and giving back to the community in which you live. Russel Ward, Alumni 1984, choreographed the dance routines, propelling the audience to stand, dance, and celebrate.
Jermaine Isaiah Moreno, a San Gorgonio High School senior, was named Sir Knight 2023 at the Beautillion Scholarship Awards presentation sponsored by the Social Lites, Inc. of the Inland Empire. Jermaine received over $15,000 in scholarships, computers, and awards for the prestigious title of Sir Knight. In the fall, he is attending Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, majoring in Psychology.
Shannon Williams II was 1st Runner-Up receiving over $10,000 in scholarships and awards. Shannon is a student from the high desert and the first person in his family to go to college. K’Miles Davis was 2nd Runner-Up, receiving over $8,000 in scholarships and awards, and was voted Mr. Congeniality by his peers. Davion Boyd-Phenix received the $4,000 President’s Scholarship Award. Jordan Evans received the $2,000 Beautillion Alumni Scholarship Award.
In addition to scholarships and awards, each young man received a proclamation from Joe Baca, California State Assembly Member, U.S. House Representative Pete Aguilar, Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson, Colton Mayor Frank J. Navarro, and San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran.
Social Lites, Inc.’s inaugural Trailblazer Award was presented to Damon Alexander, Seventh Ward City Council Member, and Alaina Matthews was given the Philanthropic Award for her unwavering generosity to the Social Lites, Inc., Evan T. Carthen Emerging Leader Award. Also, thank you, San Bernardino County Board Member Dr. Gwendoyln Dowdy-Rogers, San Bernardino Unified School District Police Department, Chief Joseph Paulino, and Battalion Chief of Los Angeles Fire Department David Reddix for their unwavering support.
As we have concluded the 56th Beautillion, The Social Lites, Inc., of the Inland Empire, is preparing for its 57th Annual Beautillion Scholarship Program, “A Moment of Greatness,” to be held at California State University, San Bernardino, on March 30, 2024. The first Beautillion briefing will be held at the Center for Youth and Community Development, on September 10, 2023, from 2 pm-3:30 pm. We encourage high school senior young men to attend and explore opportunities to invest in their future. The program has prepared over five hundred young men to enter the college or university of their choice and has raised and awarded over $2.5 million in scholarships. For additional information, please contact Stephanie Newman, Beautillion Chair at (909) 990-6462, Donna Little-James, Beautillion Co-Chair at (909) 528-9793, or Marlene Davis, Public Affairs at (909) 709-5502.
