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The application deadline for the "Attorney Rose Tsai Outstanding Public Service" scholarship is January 15. Don’t miss your last chance to apply!
This scholarship is one of the few in the United States that specifically recognizes public service and the advocacy for social justice.
High school juniors, seniors, and college students in Los Angeles and Orange counties who have demonstrated a commitment to helping others or have made significant contributions to community affairs are encouraged to apply.
A total of five scholarships will be awarded. Recipients will receive a certificate of recognition and a scholarship of $2,000.
On July 24, 2014, Xinran Ji, a Chinese student at the University of Southern California (USC), was killed on his way home. The police arrested four suspects after the incident, and the victims' families began participating in lengthy legal proceedings against the suspects. After the murder, Attorney Rose Tsai , who was Former President of the Taiwan-American Lawyers Association and was awarded the Outstanding Legal Professional Elite Award, became the attorney for Xinran Ji's family free of charge, demanding that the prosecutors and courts severely punish the murderer.
After years of litigation and hard work, the judge finally found the suspect guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced them to life imprisonment and other felonies.
After the incident, four suspects were arrested. The victim’s family embarked on a lengthy legal battle, with Rose Tsai stepping in to represent the family at no charge.
For years, she worked tirelessly to advocate for the severe punishment of the suspects. In the end, her efforts were instrumental in securing a conviction for first-degree murder and life sentences for the perpetrators.
The victim’s family, represented by George He, expressed their deep gratitude, stating that while they were devastated by the loss, they were profoundly moved by Rose Tsai's selfless legal assistance. In recognition of her unwavering dedication to justice, they established the “Attorney Rose Tsai Outstanding Public Service” Scholarship to honor her work and to encourage young people to engage in public service and social justice causes.
This scholarship aims to inspire future generations to advocate for others and work towards a more just society.
Scholarship Application Requirements:
Applicants must be high school students (grades 10–12) or college students enrolled in schools in Los Angeles or Orange County.
Applicants must provide documentation of their participation in public service or advocacy activities, such as photos, videos, or media coverage.
Activities must have occurred within the last three academic years and within the United States.
Required Application Materials:
Completed application form (provided by the scholarship organizers).
A copy of the student’s ID.
At least one letter of recommendation (not from a family member).
A personal statement (up to 600 words) describing the applicant’s public service contributions, written primarily in English with an optional Chinese translation.
If the applicant contributed to a community service organization, a written statement from the organization leader, signed by the leader, is required.
Submission Deadline:
All application materials must be submitted by January 15, 2025.
The scholarship committee will review the applications and notify recipients by February 1, 2025, along with details about the award ceremony.
“蔡玟慧律師傑出公益奉獻" 獎學金申請即將在1/15截止收件，請把握最後機會提出申請！
這項獎學金是全美少數專以彰顯公益與爭取社會正義精神的獎助項目 。凡在洛杉磯縣與橙縣就讀高中生或大學生，只要有仗義助人或積極參與社區公共事務具體優良事蹟的華裔青少年，皆可提出申請 ，共有五位名額。獲選學生除可獲頒獎狀，還有獎學金 $2,000。
2014年7月24日，南加州大學（USC）中國留學生紀欣然在回家途中遇害。警方在案發後逮捕四名嫌犯，受害家屬開始參與對兇嫌展開的冗長法律訴訟程序。當時在命案發生後，曾任台美律師協會會長，且獲頒傑出法律專業精英獎的蔡玟慧律師無償成為紀欣然家屬代理律師，要求檢方及法庭重懲兇嫌。經過長達多年訴訟與努力，法官終裁定兇嫌一級謀殺罪成立，分別判處終身監禁等重罪。
紀欣然家屬代表何俊儒表示，紀欣然無辜受害，家屬悲慟萬分，但蔡玟慧律師在過去十年法律訴訟程序中，完全免費為紀欣然家屬提供法律幫助，令家屬深為感動。
紀欣然家屬認為，蔡玟慧律師多年無私奉獻與堅持爭取社會正義精神，是華人社區的驕傲和榜樣。為感謝並表揚蔡玟慧律師的義舉，家屬設立“蔡玟慧律師傑出公益奉獻"獎學金，做為獎學金啟動基金，也希望藉此拋磚引玉，鼓勵更多年輕學子，積極參與公益事業，發揮助人之心與倡導社會正義。
“蔡玟慧律師傑出公益奉獻”獎學金申請條件：
- 在橙縣與洛杉磯縣就讀高中十、十一、十二年級或大學生。申請者需提供參與公益活動或仗義助人具體事跡，如照片、影片或新聞報導等。
- 參與公益活動或助人事跡需在美國境內，且在最近三個學年度內。
- 填寫由主辦方提供的申請表格。
- 學生證影本。
- 至少一封非親屬推薦信。
- 不超過600字個人簡介並說明參與公益等事跡，陳述以英文為主，並可附上中文版本。
- 與公益活動或仗義助人事跡相關的照片、影片、新聞報導或錄音等。
- 若是參與公益社團組織的貢獻，需由社團負責人出具書面證明並簽名。
申請者需於2025年1月15日前提交申請表。主辦方審核後，將在2月1日前通知申請者結果與頒獎典禮日期。
以下為申請獎學金官網鏈接： https://rosetsaischolarship.org/
蔡玟慧律師簡介 ：
目前也擔任南海岸中華文化協會理事 ，基於自己青少年時期移民來美的經驗 ，她鼓勵華裔家庭和青少年一定要走出自己的移民生活圈 ，積極投入美國社會的社區公共事務，深入了解美國社會的實際運作 ，在追求更美好生活的同時，也成為民主社會的良好公民 。
