Culver City High School senior Laura Bourne was one of three girls in The Hollywood Reporter‘s Women in Entertainment Mentorship Program surprised by Loyola Marymount University with the LMU/Women in Entertainment scholarship.
It is a full-ride, four-year scholarship to attend the university.
Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and award-winning actress Emma Stone presented the scholarships this month at The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Breakfast, at Milk Studio, Los Angeles.
Ms. Bourne, who will be majoring in film at LMU’s top-ranked School of Film and Television, and two other seniors from City Honors College Preparatory Academy and John F. Kennedy High School, will join the LMU freshman class of 2021 next fall.
The highly competitive Women in Entertainment Mentorship Program, which placed 18 at-risk young women with top female executives this year, is a joint venture between The Hollywood Reporter and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles. The program provides opportunities to girls who have overcome major obstacles — unemployment, immigration anxiety, illness.
Speaking to a room of film executives and leaders, including Tina Fey, Ryan Murphy, Megyn Kelly, Niecy Nash, Jon Hamm, Constance Zimmer, Susan Sarandon, Issa Rae and Eva Longoria, Sherry Lansing, the first woman to head a major Hollywood studio, said,:
“These young women will redefine what success means on their own terms, by their own values. I am highly confident that, like you, they will use their success to create a platform to fight for the causes they believe in and to give back.”
To acquaint audience members unfamiliar with the program, Ms. Lansing introduced a video https://youtu.be/nA9suhGysLs
The clip brought guests to tears as it highlighted the mentees who have overcome life obstacles under the guidance of top female entertainment executives.
The students meet with their Hollywood mentors twice a month in their office or location (sometimes on set). They also attend SAT prep classes on Saturdays. Each girl who participates in the program successfully (December through June of their senior year) receives a $10,000 scholarship to the college of her choice.
This marks the fourth year that LMU has partnered with The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Mentorship Program.
“LMU is committed to providing all young people, regardless of their financial circumstances, with the opportunity to earn an education,” said Stephen Ujlaki, dean for the LMU School of Film and Television.
“We have eight students – all recipients of the LMU/Women in Entertainment scholarships –thriving at LMU.
“We are thrilled to welcome these three young women.”
Mr. Ujlaki cited donors Chuck Lorre, Don Johnson, Laura Lizer and Chris Savino “for helping the next generation of women achieve their dreams.”
Mr. Maleman may be contacted at gmaleman@aol.com