The three-day event, sponsored by ChevronTexaco, featured the Murray Jacobs Jr. Scholarship ceremony and a feature presentation from the "Dance Theatre of the Gospel," an Oakland-based African-American interpretive dance troupe.

Jacobs, the scholarship's namesake, worked for Chevron for 33 years and after his death was honored by the corporation with the award. While working for the company, Jacobs was lauded for his hard work and community involvement.

This year's first-place scholarship winner, Kimberly Bess of Skyline High School in Oakland, received $2,500 toward her college education. Her involvement with the school's "Building with Books" program earned her the top award. For the program, Bess traveled to Mali, Africa, to help build a school for the children there.

"It's true that we are only limited by our own imagination. Helping people is a passion I've discovered over the past three years of my life," she said. "Because of this trek, I've been motivated to continue to help others."

She has narrowed her aim to attend either New York University or the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and said she will continue her community involvement wherever she goes.

"I think I can utilize the aspects that I've learned through working with the community," Bess said.

Scholarship co-chairperson Mary Forte said she was impressed with this year's winners.

"I really enjoy helping the students," Forte said. "They are going to be successful and I want to help them succeed in college."

Second-place winner, Michelle Wright of San Lorenzo High School, received a $1,500 scholarship and aims to become a pediatrician. The third- and fourth-place awards of $1,000 each went to Iminiah Amhad of Oakland Technical High School and Malik Tahir of Oakland High School.

"I try to be a positive influence to kids and let them look up to me," Wright said of her community work with a foster/day care in Oakland. "(Receiving the scholarship) makes you feel so good about everything you've done."

The Oakland Tribune: Cityside
Leanne McLaughlin, Managing Editor
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