Six graduating high school seniors and one junior were recognized during the outdoor ceremony, now in its 23rd year
Seven students involved with the Santa Monica Police Activities League were awarded a combined $33,500 in scholarships during the organization’s annual Chris Carrey PAL Education Fund ceremony on July 9.
The awards, presented at St. Monica’s Grand Pavilion, ranged from $3,500 to $7,000 per recipient and included commendations from State Sen. Ben Allen. The scholarships support post-secondary education and are part of a long-standing effort to assist Santa Monica youth pursuing college or vocational goals.
Six graduating high school seniors and one junior were recognized during the outdoor ceremony, now in its 23rd year. The scholarship fund has awarded more than $440,000 to over 130 PAL youth since its inception in 2002.
The 2025 recipients included Branden Banks, Lupita Leon, Joshua Lesley, Esteban Nunez, Emily Rodriguez, Audry Ventura Vargas, and Zoe Ventura Vargas. Several recipients are the first in their families to attend college, with planned destinations such as CSU Northridge, UC Santa Cruz, and Santa Monica College.
“This annual celebration continues to thrive thanks to the unwavering generosity of individuals and businesses—especially Ed Simmons and Metropolis, and longtime supporters Neil and Karen Carrey,” said Eula Fritz, Director of the Santa Monica PAL, in a statement. “Their commitment plays a vital role in opening doors for our PAL youth.”
The scholarship fund was created in memory of Chris Carrey, a Santa Monica student who was active in youth sports and PAL community service before his death at 16. The program was launched through a joint gift from Ed Simmons and Standard Parking and Neil and Karen Carrey.
