To kick off the 2024 Live Más Scholarship season, the Taco Bell Foundation teamed up with the Sacramento Kings and local franchise owners to surprise a group of Live Más Scholarship recipients.
During the April 14 home game, the Kings and Taco Bell Foundation welcomed eight scholars to the court where they were awarded Live Más Scholarships! They also enjoyed a behind-the-scenes arena tour, were part of the pre-game ceremony and attended a post-game celebration hosted by Taco Bell franchise owner, Dave Smith.
“The Sacramento Kings Live Más Scholarship unveiling was an experience that I will cherish and remember forever,” said Jayden Sagaral who received his scholarship during the game. “I had the pleasure of meeting fellow scholars who are passionate and destined for success. This experience gave me new friends, new opportunities, and a new little family!”
“As a first gen college student, it is difficult to imagine or show my parents how hard I work for them,” reflects Titilope Olotu, one of the $10,000 scholarship award recipients. “However, after my name was called, I looked at my parents in the crowd first, and I could see years of appreciation in their smiles and tears. Taco Bell gave my parents a reason to rejoice over me, and I am forever grateful “
Chelsea Samonte, another scholar surprised at the game said, “It was an honor for me and my family to get awarded the Live Más Scholarship at the Sacramento Kings Game. It was a life changing experience and I’m excited for what the future of being a Live Más Scholar will look like!”
A special thank you to the Sacramento Kings and Dave Smith for leading this incredible reveal. We also want to thank our franchise owners Rakesh Kumar, Chris Plunkett and Harsh Ghai for making this celebration possible for our Live Más Scholars.
Here are the eight honorees that will be changing their communities for the better:
Rebeka Dejenie| Passion for Medicine, Received $25,000
Rishabh Ambavanekar| Passion for Social Work, Received $10,000
Titilope Olotu| Passion for Social Justice, Received $10,000
Anika Madan| Passion for Technology, $5,000
Chelsea Samonte| Passion for Humanities & Social Science, $5,000
Mollie Verdoorn| Passion for Education, $5,000
Jayden Sagaral| Passion for Medicine, $5,000
Luis Garcia| Passion for Humanities & Social Science, $5,000
Visit our website for more information on the Taco Bell Foundation’s Live Más Scholarship.