In May of 2021, Pearl Corporation announced the opening of a new college scholarship, “Musicians Making A Difference,” awarding $10,000 annually in the amount of two $5,000 scholarships to high school musicians who have demonstrated the ability to impact positive change in their communities. This year’s 2023 scholarships have been awarded to Wendo Kimori (Lawrence, KA) and Sam Bestge (Lake Park, MN).
Driven by a passion for encouraging minority students to think big and engage creativity specifically in leadership roles, Wendo Kimori started an NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) Youth Council in her hometown of Lawrence, KA. Kimori helped to organize community meal days to combat food insecurity amongst groups of homeless shelters and women’s domestic violence centers. A dedicated musician and trombonist passionate about serving his community in Lake Park, MN, Sam Bestge has spent the last seven years giving back to his community through Sam’s Meals for Many, a service project that benefits food insecurity during the holidays. Sam’s Meals for Many has fed over 1250 people over the last seven years and has raised over $143,000 to combat food insecurity in his community.
Now in its third year, Pearl’s Musician’s Making A Difference College Scholarship has been awarded to six students across five states, totaling $30,000 in scholarship funds. A diverse panel of Pearl staff and artists select scholarship winners based on the positive impact they’ve had on their communities. The recipients of the “Musicians Making A Difference” College Scholarship include:
Class of 2023
Wendo Kimori | Lawrence, KA NAACP (Washburn University)
Sam Bestge | Sam’s Meals for Many (University of North Dakota)
Class of 2022
Larissa Yee | Students in Harmony (University of California, Berkeley)
Amy Hwang | Do Re Mi Project (Harvard University)
Class of 2021
Emmanuel Wade | I Am Invisible Bullying and Suicide (Alabama A&M University)
Isabel Michaelides | Oakmont of Valencia Senior Center (University of California Irvine)
For more information on the “Musicians Making A Difference” College Scholarship, please visit: https://pearldrum.com/about-pearl/scholarships
