James Outman & Evan Phillips join the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation to recognize new class of Legacy Scholars on August 29 at Dodger Stadium
LOS ANGELES (August 24, 2023) – The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF), will honor the second class of Legacy Scholars at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, Aug. 29, starting at 2:30 p.m. with a ceremony, networking session, stadium tour and pre-game on-field recognition.
The 2023 LADF Legacy Scholars are Bertha Gonzalez, 18 (Lynwood), Cristian Lopez, 18 (Los Angeles), Emily Galvez, 18 (Los Angeles), Genesis Cruz, 18 (Los Angeles), Helen Simental, 18 (Los Angeles), Joseph Navarro (Los Angeles), Nicolas Lulo Vilasenor, 18 (Los Angeles), Olivia Gone, 19 (Long Beach), Stanley Navarrete, 17 (Los Angeles) and Quinton Harmon (Los Angeles). Also on hand to celebrate this new class of scholars are LADF CEO Nichol Whiteman, Dodgers outfielder James Outman and pitcher Evan Phillips.
LADF launched the scholarship during the 2022 All-Star Game in partnership with the Dodgers and MLB. LADF provided a $10,000 scholarship to 10 scholars in its inaugural year and will support up to 75 additional scholarships in future years. The scholarship supports academic expenses at two- or four-year universities in Southern California and is administered by the California Community Foundation. 2023 LADF Legacy Scholar recipients are graduating seniors from LADF’s Dodgers Dreamteam program and members of the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles College Bound and Future Pathways programs.
For the first time this year, Dodgers Dreamteam participants had the opportunity to apply for LADF’s Legacy Scholarship. The comprehensive sports-based youth development program uses the power of sport to provide critical resources and services to communities experiencing social injustices. LADF works with 14 affiliate partners to deliver sports-based programming and wrap-around services for 11,000 youth and support communities and families across the city.
"I proudly hold the distinction of being a first-generation college graduate thanks to organizations that championed my success and leveled the playing field," explained Whiteman. "I’m thrilled to pay that forward as we open doors and build bridges for our LADF Legacy Scholars and youth in underserved communities, enabling them to excel in their pursuit of academic excellence.”
Acknowledging the immediate needs of underserved communities in health and education – where 1 in 5 students do not graduate high school – LADF collaborates with partners, such as the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles to deliver comprehensive services that link youth with vital resources and grant access to essential necessities, fostering healthier life outcomes. The Club equips middle and high school students with the necessary skills to successfully complete high school and prepare for further education and training through the Future Pathways and College Bound programs. 100 percent of participants in these programs have successfully graduated from high school and 92 percent are accepted into college.