Contra Costa NOW is pleased to announce the winners of its third annual university scholarships. The scholarships, for $1000 each, were earmarked for two women of color based on their academic and social-activism accomplishments.
Manahil Syeda, 17, is currently a student at Diablo Valley College with a GPA of 3.95, and will be attending UC Berkeley in the fall. Among her notable activities are developing a curriculum on coding for her fellow students, excelling as a member of the debate and speech team, advocating for students with disabilities, organizing volunteer opportunities for students, and helping young Muslim women, including Afghan refugees, to acclimate to their new environment, all while maintaining a rigorous academic schedule.
Georgina Prado, 31, is attending Contra Costa College with a GPA of 3.4, is currently working as an Emergency Room technician, and plans to become a nurse. She is also a member of the Emergency Room Safety Committee, where she seeks to improve patient and staff safety standards. She has served as a volunteer with the West Contra Costa Youth Soccer League and a Community Mural Painting project. In addition to being an ER technician and a student, she is the mother of a young son.
