I am writing as a designated representative of Anita Shapiro’s family and close friends that have set up a scholarship at the Culver City High School in her memory.
It is called the Anita Shapiro Memorial Scholarship, and it will be available to students who are interested in continuing her work in the community.
[Ms. Shapiro, 66 years old, died Monday, Aug.10, after an extensive illness.]
As most people know, Anita was very involved in Culver City.
She had been on several Boards of Directors, the Culver City Homeowners Assn., the Fiesta La Ballona, the Culver City Historical Society and others.
Letting Everyone Speak
Before Anita became Chair of the Fiesta La Ballona Committee, there was a free speech issue that had occurred at the Fiesta involving a judicial candidate. A Los Angeles County Supervisor and a few Planning Commissioners were not allowed to practice free speech in the park.
The incident was a real fiasco. After that, the City Council established a precedent whereby free speech boundaries were established on city-owned property. When Anita was Fiesta Chair, she made sure a public access booth as set up so that free speech literature was available to all.
As a Parks and Recreation Commissioner, she encouraged kids, especially at-risk kids, to channel their energy into sports.
The new Skate Park at Bill Botts Field was her vision. She was the driving force behind it, from inception to completion.
As a longtime resident and Culver City High School graduate, Anita was proud to be part of the high school scholarship process. She took this responsibility so seriously that she was the reason a dress code was imposed on scholarship recipients for them to receive their scholarships at the awards ceremony.
Her thought was that if someone was going to put trust in the recipient to succeed in college, and was giving the student money to help, the student should dress appropriately. Anita wanted to show students that if you start on the right foot, you could go anywhere with your head held high.
Dressing appropriately also would aid students in the job-interview process.
How to Participate
Since Anita’s request was put in place, every year when I attend the awards ceremony, I think: “Good for you, Anita. These kids will go far.”
Many facets of Anita’s life have affected us, some even without our knowledge. I have shared a few with you. But she imprinted many more on the community that will last forever.
For those interested in contributing to the Anita Shapiro Memorial Scholarship, please contact Margaret Fujisawa, Culver City High School, 4410 Elenda St., Culver City 90230. Margaret’s telephone is 310.842.4200, ext. 3558.
Checks should be made payable to the “Culver City Community Scholarship Fund,” with a note on the memo line that you want the money should be placed in the Asnita Shapiro Memorial Scholarship Fund.
This scholarship is the only fund authorized and accepted by Anita’s family and friends. Any other funds, scholarships or causes that are presently being established, have not been authorized, approved or sanctioned by Anita’s family and close ftiends.
