海角直播

Publish Date: Nov. 23, 2021

A scholarship established in memory of Adam Yahel Diaz has received funding from a longtime supporter of education and the College.

A scholarship established in memory of Adam Yahel Diaz has received funding from a longtime supporter of education and the College.Patricia Atherton and the 海角直播 Hills College Foundation recently entered into an agreement to accept a $20,000 gift to help fund a memorial scholarship endowment established in Diaz鈥檚 memory after his 2015 death. The scholarship was created 鈥渢o recognize the accomplishments and contributions鈥� of Diaz who was just weeks away from graduating from 海角直播 before he was killed from injuries sustained in a car accident. He was 26.

鈥淚 feel honored that I was able to do this,鈥� said Atherton. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 think of a better cause.鈥�

Six years after Diaz鈥檚 death, his impact is still being felt around the entire Roadrunner community by those who loved him, including Atherton who took Diaz in when he needed a place to live.

Atherton said she first met Diaz when her daughter asked if Adam could live with them temporarily as he looked for a job and sustainable income. Four months had passed, and Diaz was presented with an ultimatum: either find a job and pay rent or go to school full-time.

鈥淗e decided to go to school even though he thought college 鈥榳as for rich white kids with nothing to do,鈥欌�� Atherton explained. 鈥淏ut he said that when he walked into a classroom (at 海角直播), he was hooked that very first day.鈥�

Diaz had big plans for the future. Before his death, he had been accepted into U.C. Berkeley and aspired to earn his Ph.D. in English literature and teach at the college Adam Yahel Diaz Memorial Scholarshiplevel, all while serving his community as a priest in the Orthodox Christian Church. He died while on his way to attend Easter service on April 7, 2015.

Atherton hopes scholarships awarded through the memorial fund will make an impact on a student鈥檚 life. When asked what Diaz鈥檚 reaction would have been knowing the fund was established in his honor, Atherton said Adam would have been 鈥渧ery, very proud.鈥�

鈥淲hen he lived with us for those few years, he became my son in every way. I just want his memory to live on forever,鈥� Atherton said, adding prior to his death, Diaz had finally 鈥渇ound his spot in the world.鈥�

鈥淗e would have been happy to know that someone else would be getting some help along the way,鈥� she said. 鈥淓ducation can change your life.鈥�

The Foundation remains committed to raising the additional $5,000 to fully endow the fund. To make a donation or learn more about Adam鈥檚 scholarship, visit www.craftonhills.edu/diaz.