2023 Recipient —

Pursuit of Excellence Scholarship Foundation

Proceeds of this year’s Summit League Spring Luncheon supported Pursuit of Excellence-South Bay (POE-South Bay). The mission of POE-South Bay is to provide financial support and mentorship to hard working, academically successful first generation students from low-income families. Each student is paired with a volunteer mentor, often an adult familiar with the major the student has chosen, who will coach the student throughout their college career. The mentor’s guidance and the student’s academic grit, along with scholarship funds from POE-South Bay for the college journey, have made it possible for 78% of participating students to graduate (well above the national average for the same population). 98% of POE-South Bay funds go directly to support student scholarships as this an all-volunteer organization, with no salaries or office expenses.