John Scudder was joined by Carol Sullivan and Larry Sullivan on June 24^th at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Monterey Park.

Marie Montanez welcomed everyone to this very special event. She introduced the two grant recipients to the audience.

Princess Alay Escandon Ordaz, who was joined by her mother, Nancy and youngest sister, Sofia.

Sergio Cabrales, who was joined by his sister, Karin and her boyfriend, Eddie.

Marion Sumimoto led our Flag Salute.

John Scudder welcomed all to this very special event. His family has been giving scholarships for many years to students studying nursing, law or business. He and his surviving two brothers are very happy to give these scholarships to students in the San Gabriel Valley.

He thanked the Grant Committee for the efforts to sections the two winners.

John Scudder also spoke about Louise Davis who died at the age of 89. Louise Davis served on the Monterey Park City Council and also served as the City Treasurer. He spent many days visiting Louise because he said that she reminded him of his grandmother.

He also spoke about the City’s Play Days Parade. He joined her in the parade. He respected Louise Davis. We own a big thanks to Louise Davis.

John Scudder gave Marion Sumimoto flowers. Marion said she is stepping back from the committee but will still be a member of the Historical Society.

Princess Alay Escandon Ordaz is a Nursing Student at Citrus Community College. She said her mother is her hero. Her father was very sick so she decided to become a nurse. She wants to help people to have great days. She wants to be there for them. She volunteers at Kaiser Hospital. She feels good to help people with the best care they can receive.

Sergio Cabrales is a Nursing Student at Rio Hondo Community College. He said he is in his second year of the program. His working and enjoying life. He has a need to make a difference.

He was 12 years old when he became a Nursing Assistant to help a family member. He wants to make a difference in people’s lives. He wants to help.

Sergio thanked John Scudder and the committee. He is very happy to become a scholarship winner with the Scudder Scholarship.

He thanked Laura Scudder for her making food healthier and for her healthcare.

He is grateful for this scholarship. He thanked his family and friends for their support.

He will be making a meaningful life for all the people he meets.

John Scudder showed a picture of Laura Scudder in her nurse’s uniform.

John Scudder presented the certificates to Princess Alay Escandon Ordaz and Sergio Cabrales.

John Scudder presented the certificates to Princess Alay Escandon Ordaz and Sergio Cabrales, while they were holding pictures and a waxed potato chip bag.

Marion Sumimoto, Marie Montanez, Dolores Seidman, Sandy Hidalgo and Theresa Amador, members of the Grant Committee joined John Scudder for a group picture in honor of this special event.

Jim Iwaki, Marion Sumimoto, Shufen Sokhom, Namoch Sokhom and Dolores Rillos, members of the Board joined with John Scudder for a group picture in honor of  this special event.

Marie Montanez, Marion Sumimoto and John Scudder posed for a picture in honor of this special event.

John Scudder spoke about his grandmother, Laura Scudder. She worked to achieve as much as she could in her life. She moved from the East coast to California to create at restaurant business. She studied law and passed the bar in 1918 before she could vote. When she lost her restaurant in a fire, she moved her family to Monterey Park in the 1920’s to open a gas station. She operated the largest woman-owned business in the western United States with multiple factories and a fleet of trucks. The workers loved her.

She introduced innovated packing methods and new manufacturing technique. She’s been credited for introducing wax paper bags to keep her potato chips fresh. A technique soon followed by many others. Her background as a trained nurse helped her to be mindful of producing food products that were healthy and safe.

Laura Scudder parlayed a home-grown potato chip business to a multimillion-dollar food empire that at one time spanned California, Nevada, Arizona and Oregon.

Laura Scudder was a remarkable woman who had a passion to succeed and who believed that happiness came from giving. The Scudder Family is continuing her philosophy by generous awarding the Laura Scudder Grant to deserving students in the San Gabriel Valley.

John Scudder said his grandmother was proudest of her career as a nurse.

Thank you all for coming to this event.

Marie Montanez thanked the guests for attending this event. We wish you students the best success.

John Scudder played two magic tricks to the delight of the guests.