Earl Woods Scholar Alumnus shares on journey at 19th Annual Tiger Jam
Our 19th annual Tiger Jam at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas was a weekend to remember. From an epic performance by Darius Rucker to star-studded guest appearances by supermodel Kate Upton, musician Kid Rock and many more, celebrities came out in full support of our education programs. In today’s post, we’re looking back at a special moment during the event that stands out as a true reminder of the purpose and impact of our programs. Adrian Arias, the Earl Woods Scholar Program’s first lawyer, took the stage during Tiger Jam’s live and silent auction to give the keynote speech.
His story is one of razor-sharp focus and unwavering determination. For Adrian, the seeds of community service and civil justice were planted early by his mother, who received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in Washington D.C., soon after emigrating from her home country of the Dominican Republic. While his love for law was inherited from his mother, it was his childhood experiences that gave his calling a larger purpose.
Growing up with little money, in a single-parent household and an especially rough area of D.C., Adrian witnessed firsthand the senseless violence that plagued his peers and community. The struggles his community faced only cemented his decision to pursue law. As early as high school, Adrian knew he had to rise in the face of adversity, pursue his education and one day, return to his city and implement change. Adrian shared with the audience his inspirational story that led him to earn a law degree from Ohio Northern University.
The Earl Woods Scholar Program prepares students to attend and graduate from universities across the nation. Supporting the best and brightest scholars from underrepresented communities, the program holds a 98% graduation rate, among the highest in the U.S. In addition to financial assistance, selected Earl Woods Scholars benefit from personal and professional workshops, a dedicated mentor, internship placement assistance and more.
Contact Lea Segura for more information on mentoring opportunities and click here to help more students pursue their passions through education.
Redefining what it means to be a champion.
The Earl Woods Scholar Program is grateful for the support of our generous donors: Decisive Analytics, Farmers Insurance, Juin and James Cohen, Mary and Jon Orszag and State Street Foundation.
