Let’s Hear From the Youth!

One of the highlights of RARE’s recent 5th Anniversary Celebration was to hear about- and from – the young people and students in our community!

Members of RARE’s Connections crew, representatives from WA State NAACP-Youth Council, participants in RARE’s documentary and recent grads who are change-makers of the future were in attendance.

RARE’s recent James A. Davis, Jr. Scholarship recipients were well represented. Happily we share their inspiring and poignant comments and reflections of gratitude, hope and their plans for the future.

Aurora Barrera Diaz, a 2024 RHS graduate, spoke of the many impacts of this financial support from RARE.

Hi! My name is Aurora and I am honored to be here with you as part of the RARE community and a 2024 scholarship winner. 

This scholarship means a lot to me as it’s much more than just financial support. I feel like it represents recognition and the belief that students like me deserve the opportunity to grow and pursue our goals.

Many of us come from backgrounds where resources are limited, and sometimes doors feel closed before we even reach them, but RARE helps to keep those doors open.

What makes this scholarship so powerful is that it doesn’t just invest in education, it invests in people.

It invests in our dreams, our voices, and the communities we come from.

It reminds us that we are not alone on this journey.

There’s a network of people who believe in us, who want to see us succeed, and who are committed to creating opportunities where they might not have existed before.

For me, receiving this scholarship is also a reminder of responsibility.

It motivates me to keep working hard, to continue giving back to the community, and to one day provide the same support for others that I was so fortunate to receive.

So, thank you, not just for the scholarship, but for building a community that uplifts and inspires young students of color. 

Yuena Kim, a 2023 RHS graduate, was unable to attend the event. Her update and reflections were read aloud at the celebration.

Hello RARE supporters! Thank you for inviting me to the event! I hope everyone is doing well. I’m very sorry to miss speaking to everyone due to scheduling conflicts.

For academic updates, I recently submitted my application to the Allen School’s computer science program and will hear back soon! I have committed to double majoring with creative writing as I could never give up my love for books and writing.

The JAD scholarship opened avenues for me to fully explore what I want to study while alleviating financial pressure to make a quick decision, which is an immense privilege and honor.

The scholarship—as well as what’s currently happening in the country—reminds me that the fight for racial equity is not yet over, and that there is still much to do.

In that vein, I am working as an editor for UW’s The Historical Review, a yearly journal dedicated to undergraduate research and works related to history and its effects on the modern world. I was drawn to the magazine as it focuses on Indigeneity and the impacts of colonialism and ongoing imperialism, which are all issues I am passionate about.

Similarly, I want to pursue computer science to apply it to societal issues like closing the education gap. I am particularly inspired by Rediet Abebe’s work in tackling algorithmic bias and distributive justice, utilizing computer science as a tool to address racial equity.

My love for literature, too, stems from knowing the impact of creative work on the human soul and inspiring change as everything, especially art, is political.

Being a recipient of the scholarship means the world to me, and I hope to be a part in continuing James A Davis’s legacy.

Thank you so much for the opportunity!

The 2026 RARE Scholarship info is coming soon!  Look on RARE’s website, FB, IG and check with the RHS Counseling office for details!

Wondering how to ensure the continuation of RARE’s programs – including the annual JAD Scholarship awards? Volunteering on RARE’s committees and/or making tax-deductible donations to RARE are always welcomed responses!

Learn more about RARE’s committees