Summer in Town: Monrovia Latino Heritage Society’s Scholarships

MLHS 2018 Scholarship Recipients. – Courtesy photo / Rosemari Annear, MLHS Scholarship Committee

By Susie Ling

Roland, Richard, and Rebecca were all born and raised in Monrovia. Roland graduated from Monrovia High in 1959, Richard in 1973, and Rebecca’s diploma is fresh off the press. All three came together at the recent Monrovia Latino Heritage Society’s scholarship luncheon.

The Monrovia Latino Heritage Society was founded in 2010 by a group who grew up in the racially-segregated neighborhood near Huntington School (now MUSD headquarters) in the 1940-50s. The mission of this nonprofit is to bring awareness to Monrovia’s ethnic diversity. The club works hard all year to fundraise for six scholarships for deserving high schoolers.

Roland Garcia, now 76, said, “I was born on my Nana Lucinda’s bed on Almond. In that compound, there were about 15 of us who were all related. The swimming pool for us kids was this old tub in the yard. Since our days in the Monrovia Plunge pool were racially restricted, on hot summer days we would cool off with a water hose tied up high on the laundry line.” Such shared memories of Monrovia keep the members going to meetings and volunteering. Roland said to 18-year old Rebecca and her fellow-recipient Ishika Mucchal, “This is my dad’s advice: Whatever you do, do the best you can. The boss can’t ask you to do more. My dad said, ‘You and your brother aren’t that good looking and there’s prejudice. So, if they want eight hours from you, do 8 ½.’”

Rebecca de la O is no stranger to hard work. She ranked No. two out of her graduating class of 435. She earned a 4.7 GPA with eleven AP courses. She’s headed to UCLA’s math and computer science major. She said, “My ethnicity provides a sense of community for me. Family is a big deal – as it is with other ethnic groups. I’m also thankful for all the support from our counselors and staff at Monrovia High.”

Beaming parents, Eduardo and Georgina Tadeo, of Kemyl and Kate of Monrovia High. – Courtesy photo / Rosemari Annear, MLHS Scholarship Committee

Recipient Kemyl Tadeo was in cross country and robotics, was a MAP youth leader, and is headed to the mechanical engineering department at Cal State LA. His parents, Eduardo and Georgina, were beaming with pride. They’ve sacrificed a lot. Eduardo came first from Puebla, Mexico and then went back for his intended. They said, “We married in front of a judge on Saturday, at church on Sunday, and immigrated to Los Angeles on Monday. It was so difficult because we had to leave our families.” Eduardo explained, “I had a dream to come to America since I was a little boy and my dream came true. We came to Monrovia because it is quiet and charming. A lot of people are willing to help others.” Their son, Kemyl, is named after a friend in Mexico who was of Middle Eastern descent. “Kemyl” (or kamil) in Arabic means “perfect.”

Ishika Mucchal is of Asian Indian descent and started school at Carden of the Foothills, now closed. She is going to Cal Arts to major in drama. She said, “Monrovia is a welcoming, community-based city. Where else do they have banners on the main street celebrating their high school students?”

Banner celebrating Ishika Mucchal. – Courtesy photo / Rosemari Annear, MLHS Scholarship Committee

Another scholarship recipient is Zelda Pacheco, recently graduated from Canyon Oaks High School with an enrollment of just over 100 students. Zelda said, “Sadly, I don’t like teenagers and I liked the independence that Canyon offers. I like working at my own pace.” Zelda has many interests including psychology and veterinary science – and is flying off to University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Richard Armais was Scholarship Chair this year. He recently retired after teaching mostly kindergarten for 25 years. He said, “I have to do this. I got a lot of support from my MHS coaches and I knew that when I got my chance, I had to give back to my high school.” He said to the youth, “Set your own bar. Don’t let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do.” Monrovia Latino Heritage Society is planning for their next fundraisers to start building the coffers for the next generation of MHS graduates. Information is available on their Facebook page.

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