The following is a submission from the Police Athletics League
The Police Activities League (PAL) hosted its annual Chris Carrey PAL Education Scholarship Fund recognition ceremony on the evening of Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at St. Monica’s Grand Pavilion in Santa Monica.
Santa Monica PAL youth, including 12 juniors and seniors, were honored with personal recognition and individual scholarship funds totaling $38,000. More than 100 guests joined to celebrate the student recipients at the outdoor event with special guest presenters including Senator Ben Allen, Chair of the Board of Equalization Tony Vasquez, Mayor Phil Brock, and Vice Mayor Lana Negrete.
Now in its 22nd year, more than 149 scholarships totaling more than $400,000 have been awarded to PAL youth in the Santa Monica community.
The Chris Carrey PAL Education Fund was created through a joint gift from Ed Simmons and Standard Parking and Neil and Karen Carrey. Since 2002, the fund provides scholarships for post-high school education expenses to PAL members who meet required criteria, shows financial need, successfully completes an application package, and is selected by the Chris Carrey PAL Education Fund Committee.
Several of the awardees had been active participants in PAL’s youth programs for more than 7 years. Among the 12 recipients, several seniors shared their inspiring pathways to success, highlighting their plans to attend prestigious institutions such as University of California, Los Angeles, Mount Saint Mary’s University, California State University, Long Beach, and Santa Monica College, among others. Each scholarship recipient was awarded an amount from $1,500 to $5,500 including Hawene Alemayehu, Rosa Cruz, Aaniyah Evans, Tia Hansen, Maribel Hernandez, Joshua Lesley, Jacqueline Morales, Jesse Morales, Chris Naelgas, Esteban Nunez, Arnoldo Paniagua, and Emily Rodriguez.
“This annual event, now in its 22nd year, owes its success to the invaluable participation of individuals and businesses, particularly Ed Simmons and Standard Parking, as well as Neil and Karen Carrey,” says Eula Fritz, Director of the Santa Monica Police Activities League. “Their generous contributions help transform dreams into realities for PAL youth, many of whom would be unable to achieve their goals without this support.”
The PAL Scholarship awards are in memoriam to Chris Carrey, who lived in Santa Monica for all 16½ years of his life. He was an excellent student, having attended school in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. Chris was very active in youth sports and especially excelled in tennis. He also played the bass guitar. However, most of all Chris wanted to become a chef. Chris performed his community service at PAL. He would have been proud of the PAL kids going on for additional education after high school. He would have also been proud that scholarships to help PAL kids with education are being awarded in his name.
About Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL)
Santa Monica PAL is operated by the City of Santa Monica and dedicated to providing free afterschool enrichment activities and classes for youth ages 6 -17. PAL has a 501(c) 3 to help offset enrichment programming costs. Through dynamic educational, fitness, leadership and recreational programming, PAL enriches the lives of youth, advances equity, and empowers youth to thrive. PAL’s mission is to build trust between youth and the men and women of the Santa Monica Police Department. All programs are specifically targeted to break down the stigmas, fear and high levels of distrust between youth of color and law enforcement. PAL programs have been successful in bridging this gap through enrichment programs and activities. Santa Monica PAL is located at 1401 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90404. For more information, call 310-458-8988 or visit smpal.org.
