Today the Orange County Community Foundation announced that Charles Patterson, a senior at Millikan High School in Long Beach, has been named the inaugural winner of the Larry Acterman Public Education Award, which provides a $2500 scholarship for students who want to pursue a career in education by becoming public school teachers.
Larry Acterman was a public school teacher in the Long Beach Unified School District for 33 years, and a tireless advocate for improving public education. After his death in November 1999, his children, Steve and Amy, set up a permanently-endowed scholarship fund, the Larry Acterman Public Education Fund, with the Orange County Community Foundation to encourage promising students in Long Beach to attend public universities and become public school teachers in the State of California.
Seniors from all over LBUSD are encourage to apply, with the selection criteria focusing on academic achievements, desire to become a teacher, school and community leadership activities. Applicants submit school transcripts, letters of recommendation, an essay, and a brief summary of their extra-curricular activities. A selection committee composed of representatives from the Acterman Family, the OCCF, and the community met to evaluate the candidates and score them.
Charles Patterson was chosen by the committee for his outstanding academic performance, strong endorsements, and obvious passion for teaching and education. Charles plans to attend UCLA in the Fall and major in history, supporting his goal of becoming a history teacher in California.
The Acterman Family and the Orange County Community Foundation extend their congratulations to Charles Patterson as the first winner of this honor, and hope that he will become an outstanding young teacher and a strong supporter of public education in California.
Contact: