The Blackhawk Scholarship Fund (BSF) honored eight exceptional young women at its 21st annual Scholarship Award and Donor Recognition Luncheon held May 9 at Blackhawk Country Club. Founded in 2003 by a group of Blackhawk women, BSF was created to provide higher education opportunities for highly accomplished college-bound women with financial need in Contra Costa County. Many of this year’s BSF recipients are first-generation college students balancing extraordinary responsibilities beyond rigorous academic schedules — contributing financially to their households, caring for younger siblings, serving as translators for family members, and dedicating hundreds of hours to community service while excelling in leadership roles, athletics, music, and academics. This year, BSF awarded eight $4,000 scholarships to:
• Lola Abdugapparov, Middle College High School Dual
Enrollment Program with Contra Costa College- attending
UC Berkeley-Sciences Po dual degree program studying
Environmental Economics and Public Policy.
• Thania Duran Murillo, Pittsburg High School — attending
California State University, East Bay to pursue a career in
nursing.
• Isabela Flores Saldana, Pittsburg High School — attending
University of California, Davis to study Biochemistry and
Molecular Biology.
• Yamileth Heraldez, Pittsburg High School — attending San Jose
State University to pursue a career in Music Education.
• Lilli John-MonDragon, College Park High School College
Now Dual Enrollment Program with Diablo Valley College —
attending St. Mary’s College to study Communication and Media
Production.
• Joanna Le, De Anza High School — attending University of
California, Berkeley to study Early Childhood Education.
• Joyce Miao, California High School — attending University of
California, Berkeley to study Engineering.
• Saira Trehan, Monte Vista High School — attending University
of California, Santa Barbara to study Physics.
Thanks to the generosity of our community, BSF celebrated a major milestone this year, surpassing the half-million-dollar mark in scholarships awarded — investing more than $523,000 in the education of 127 young women since its founding.
The BSF Board also introduced the newly established Judy Slinger Memorial Scholarship, created in honor of former BSF President Judy Slinger, whose lifelong commitment to education and literacy impacted countless students and families. More than $43,000 was donated in Judy’s memory following her passing in 2025, helping to establish a lasting legacy through this annual scholarship. The inaugural Judy Slinger Memorial Scholarship of $1,000 was presented to Lilli John-MonDragon for her focus on literacy and education. As the luncheon concluded, current BSF President Klara Bleier thanked the donors, volunteers, and supporters whose generosity continues to transform lives. “Behind every scholar is a community that believes in them,” she said. “Let’s continue to be the reason someone says, ‘Because of YOU, I made it.’”
Provided by Claudine Young, Scholarship Application Director