MOSTe March 2024 Newsletter
Dear MOSTe Family,
We are thrilled to announce that Ares Wealth Management has chosen to partner with MOSTe through their Charitable Giving Program for 2024! The remarkable women at Ares, collectively known as the Ares Network of Empowered Women (ANEW), have generously donated $25,000! Their unwavering commitment to empowering our young scholars throughout Los Angeles is truly inspiring. This generous contribution will fortify our programming initiatives, ensuring that we can continue fostering the growth of our students, guiding them towards becoming successful, college, and career-minded women. A special thank you goes to our Board Member, Christine Isip, for making this connection and facilitating this meaningful collaboration.
The much-anticipated 2024 Lanterns Awards is just around the corner, and we’re reaching out for your support! Each year, we celebrate extraordinary women who embody empowerment, leadership in their communities, and serve as inspirations for turning dreams into reality. This year, we are thrilled to pay tribute to Janice Bryant Howroyd, affectionately known as JBH! JBH has etched her name in history as the pioneering African American woman to establish and lead a multi-billion dollar company. Her brainchild, ActOne Group, a $3.4 billion (USD) workforce solutions organization, leverages cutting-edge technologies to connect millions of workers worldwide with meaningful job opportunities.
Join us on Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the prestigious City Club Los Angeles, DTLA, to celebrate JBH and the next generation of college-educated women.
To attend the Lanterns Awards, secure your tickets or make a donation here! If you would like to sponsor a table, please email me directly at .
Warm regards,
Nicole Fisher
Executive Director
Staff Transitions
We are thrilled to announce that Heidi Perez has joined MOSTe as our new Community Outreach Coordinator! Heidi Perez, a passionate native of Los Angeles, proudly holds a 2019 double major in Psychology & Spanish from Lycoming College. As the enthusiastic new Community Outreach Coordinator of MOSTe, Heidi has a deep connection to the organization’s mission rooted in her personal journey as a first-generation college student. Her transformative experience as a MOSTe alumna uniquely positions her to comprehend & empathize with the challenges faced by scholars from low-income backgrounds. Through her role, she aims to bridge gaps and empower students, drawing on her own experiences. Heidi’s enthusiasm for connecting scholars with professional women mentors stems from the belief that mentorship can play a pivotal role in shaping future leaders. These mentors can offer valuable insights, share experiences, and provide practical advice on academic and career pursuits. Thrilled to pay forward the opportunities she received, Heidi is excited about the prospect of making a lasting impact on the lives of aspiring students by fostering educational equality and empowerment.
MOSTe in Action
MOSTe February Workshop
February 17, 2024
MOSTe recently organized a community event at Griffith Observatory. The event provided an opportunity for scholars to meet new staff members and explore the Observatory. Students were able to connect with each other, mentors, parents, and staff. The event ended on a high note, with students taking home books generously donated by AmeriCorps VISTA.
It was a wonderful community event that fostered a sense of community and learning among the attendees!
Upcoming Events
Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Event with Ares
MOSTe is thrilled to announce its partnership with Ares Management’s Network of Empowered Women (ANEW) as part of its Charitable Giving Program. ANEW is dedicated to promoting gender parity in the workplace by increasing women’s representation across all levels and providing them with the tools they need to advance their careers.
At this event, students, alumni, and mentors will have the opportunity to learn from women in finance, participate in a panel discussion with industry professionals, craft their own elevator pitch, and much more!
RSVP by using either the link below or scanning the QR code on the flyer: https://forms.gle/nhje59QhvehcgoNV8
This opportunity is open to MOSTe scholars, mentors, and alumni*
Virtual Resume, Networking, & Interview Support with Hire Options
MOSTe is organizing a virtual workshop on Resume, Networking, and Interview Support! This workshop will be hosted by Hire Options, an employment agency that specializes in providing their clients and candidates with top-notch personal and professional service.
Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024
Time: 4 pm
We will be meeting virtually (link will be sent to all who RSVP’d to the workshop closer to the event)
RSVP link: https://forms.gle/BATemdpQMTyU8dB86
This opportunity is open to all MOSTe scholars, mentors, & alumni*
The RSVP deadline is Friday, March 15th
March Workshop
Join us for a day of learning and personal growth at Cal State LA with MOSTe! We are thrilled to discuss communication styles, partake in tailored sessions, and connect with IGNITE, a collegiate club at UCLA committed to promoting reproductive justice and nurturing professional development through education and advocacy.
Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024
Time: 10 AM-1 PM
Location: Cal State Los Angeles (5151 State University Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90032)
Transportation and food will be provided!
RSVP link: https://forms.gle/sxdEnTmZkQCkMXuV6
This opportunity is open to all MOSTe scholars, parents, and mentors*
The RSVP deadline is Friday, March 15th
MOSTe Scholarship Application is OPEN!
We are excited to announce that the MOSTe Scholarship Application season is upon us. This is an opportunity for MOSTe 8th and 12th grade scholars to apply for scholarships at varying amounts. We invite all who are eligible to apply. This is a great opportunity and we hope you take advantage of it! Click on the links below to learn more and access the scholarship application.
MOSTe Incentive Scholarship (open to eighth-grade scholars): https://forms.gle/z7UwKZ7eb8BZUJYVA
MOSTe Achievement Scholarship (open to 12th-grade scholars):https://forms.gle/9qNTP8ReBW87fMzv7
Mentor Moment
On February 17, 2024, the scholars and I attended the Griffith Observatory outing hosted by MOSTe. They were amazed by all the information at the Observatory. The scholars and I learned from each of the exhibitions, but the one that impressed them the most was the Tesla Coil Demonstration and the Make Your Own Earthquake Exhibit where the seismometer detects the floor vibration. Each of the scholars took turns jumping as hard as they could so that the seismometer would measure and record the earthquake vibrations. A takeaway from this outing is that exploring and learning within our city will be a topic of discussion with their family.
On February 24, 2024, one of my mentees and her family celebrated her 15th birthday, a very special occasion that I was invited to. We share similar cultural traditions, and celebrating a Quinceanera is the right of passage from childhood to young womanhood. It makes me happy to be able to celebrate this special day with her and her family. – Mentor Elba S.
We had went to Hastings Ranch and walked around looking at Christmas lights and drinking hot chocolate. – Mentor Amanda C.
We went and shot some basketball hoops then got a sweet treat afterwards. – Mentor Laurie S.
We went thrift shopping in West Hollywood! We checked out Goodwill, Buffalo Exchange, and other stores around the area. And we took a walk through the neighborhood in between. – Mentor Sage L.
We attended the Monrovia Food Market. – Mentor Amanda C.
We had a phone conversation about her summer internship opportunities. – Mentor Bonnie C.
We went to The Cheech in Riverside, it was amazing! I recommend it as a MOSTe outing! We met up with a friend of mine who I wanted my mentee to connect with, she has the same background as her and represents what a strong Mexican woman is capable of – Mentor Carrie T.
My mentee and I got brunch on President’s Day and had a nice time catching up; she also just got her report card and had all A’s and B’s! – Mentor Kelly K.
My mentee and I went to explore Little Tokyo together. We got a sushi lunch and boba and had a lovely visit. – Mentor Natalie Z.
Do you belong to the first inaugural Class of 1986?
Have you worked as a member of the MOSTe staff in the past?
Were you a MOSTe scholar who graduated from high school before 2023?
MOSTe’s strength and uniqueness lies in our community!
We would love to connect with you and hear your stories, from highlighting your journeys after graduating to becoming a mentor with us now.
Please reach out to our Executive Director, Nicole Fisher at