For immediate release — March 25, 2008

(DALLAS) — A special group of students from the Dallas County Community College District knows what it means to be motivated. They study, learn and succeed every day both in the classroom and in the community. Those seven students — each representing the seven colleges of DCCCD — have been recognized for their efforts as recipients of the 2008 Max and Rosa Goldblatt Endowment Awards in Community Service. 

The students’ efforts reflect Max and Rosa Goldblatt’s dedication to community service, and their scholarships were awarded during a recent ceremony. The seven scholarship recipients, their hometowns and colleges are: Huong Dai of Farmers Branch, Brookhaven College; Michael Isom of Irving, North Lake College; Jennifer Pereyda of Garland, El Centro College; Evens Pierre of Dallas, Mountain View College; Juan Sifuentes of Waxahachie, Cedar Valley College; Winnie Widjaja of Dallas, Richland College; and Christin Yonley of Richardson, Eastfield College. (See the award winners’ biographical sketches and photos.)

The scholarship is given biennially to DCCCD students who show leadership in volunteer and community service work. Each awardee receives a $600 scholarship ($300 per semester) from the DCCCD Foundation, which administers the Goldblatt scholarship endowment. The seven DCCCD students receiving Goldblatt scholarships have been involved in community service projects such as tutoring in area schools, shelters and libraries; participating in community cleanups and food drives; volunteering at area animal shelters, in churches and for hurricane relief efforts; mentoring; working with the homeless; making toys; fundraising for special causes; and more.

The scholarship was established in 1986 to honor Max and Rosa Goldblatt, who both served as former Dallas leaders and longtime supporters of DCCCD. Max Goldblatt served three terms as a Dallas city councilman and played a major role in the creation of DCCCD (then the Dallas County Junior College District). Rosa Goldblatt was involved in many community service projects, and together, the couple inspired their children to continue that tradition of service to others.

For more information, call Kathye Hammontree in the DCCCD Foundation office at (214) 860-2455.

Photo, top: The Goldblatt and Lahansky families, with DCCCD Chancellor Dr. Wright Lassiter, recognized the 2008 Goldblatt Award recipients with a special ceremony.

Photos and biographical sketches of the 2008 Goldblatt Award recipients

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Press contact: Kathye Hammontree
214-860-2455; khamontree@dcccd.edu