APIAFI SCHOLARSHIP

Honoring Hard Work and Dedication Through Education

A new scholarship is now available at Pasadena City College. The Apiafi Scholarship, eligible to women participating in track and field, cross country, or basketball, was awarded to Elise Ortega Pasadena City College’s women’s basketball team and Kessa Rychlick of Pasadena City College’s women’s track team at the women’s basketball game on February 8, 2019.

The Apiafi Memorial Scholarship was named after John Apiafi, a former student- athlete at Pasadena City College, to celebrate and honor his life.

John studied at Pasadena City College and was a member of both the track and field and football teams before he was diagnosed with leukemia.

The scholarship was started by his younger sister, Dr. Mary Apiafi, who also attended Pasadena City College and was a member of the both the women’s basketball team and the track and field team.

With a focus on being both a student and an athlete, the Apiafi’s were living examples that athletes should be and could be hardworking on and off the field.

Being a student-athlete presented challenges at times but, Mary said her brother taught her how to be driven and how to handle life.

With a caring heart and a smile that could light up the room, John believed in living life to the fullest and also paying it forward. The Apiafi family adopted the notion of “pay it forward” as their life motto.

Their goal with this scholarship was to pay it forward to help another student- athlete be extraordinary in both the classroom as well as on the court.

Top Image-Elise Ortega, Grace Apiafi, and Kessa Rychlick
Botton Image-Grace Apiafi, Mary Apiafi, and Coach Jo Peron