Alana Perkins

Three Beverly Hills High School students will receive scholarships through the David Heiferman Memorial Award.

Students Mia De Castro Basto, Ricky Lee and Alana Perkins will each receive $3,000 to help further their academic studies. Basto plans to attend Barnard College at Columbia University, Lee will attend Santa Monica College and Perkins will study at the University of Florida. The scholarships are presented annually by a nonprofit organization founded in 1990 by the family of David Heiferman.

Mia De Castro Basto

“This fund was established more than 30 years ago to commemorate the life of my brother, who we lost far too soon,” trustee Dana Tomarken said. “We also realize that one of the most significant factors facing young people now is that debt can be a real barrier to higher education. As a family, passing on hope and resources to students is something David and we all want to accomplish.”

Tomarken has a long history in arts and culture in Beverly Hills, having been executive director of the Beverly Hills Education Foundation and owner of Tomarken Productions and Fenton & Tomarken & Associates. She was formerly president of the Beverly Hills Board of Education, and served as the longtime vice president for MusiCares and the Grammy Museum. Her sister, Tobi Blatt, and brother, Jim Jones, help oversee the memorial scholarships.

Ricky Lee

Their mother, Annabelle Heiferman, was a former mayor of Beverly Hills, known for her negotiating skills and advocacy on behalf of the community. She is also well known for establishing free parking for up to two hours in the city.

Each year, the Beverly Hills Education Foundation presents scholarships to outstanding seniors. The students were selected for demonstrating exemplary community service and leadership qualities.

David Heiferman attended Hawthorne School and Beverly Hills High School. After his death, the family established the David Heiferman Memorial Scholarship Fund to highlight achievements of Beverly Hills High School seniors.

For information, visit bhef.org.

photos courtesy of BHUSD