The California Junior Scholarship Federation DiGiovanna Memorial Award Essay Contest was established in memory of long-time CJSF adviser / CSF-CJSF Board Member Joanna DiGiovanna.
Alexandra Rachman-Chan has been recognized as the 2025-2026 DiGiovanna Award South Central Region Recipient for the exceptional writing of her essay and contribution to her community.
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Alexandra Rachman-Chan – Chapter 1358sc Ridgecrest Intermediate School
Adviser Betsy Okamoto
Principal Jaime Mancilla
Palos Verdes Peninsula United School District
Alexandra’s volunteer idea began with finding a way for elderly people in retirement facilities to feel seen and heard, a way to allow them to tell their stories. She connected that with using those stories as a resource for local high school students searching for real world information about various careers that might interest them.
Making these stories available through a website and sharing the media with the families of participants, and as a student career resource, she has recorded a number of stories to share online.
Alexandra wrote that “I am grateful to CJSF for helping me discover my passion to help the elderly find their voice, while giving their families precious memories, and students in our community access to career mentorship from experts.”
Mrs. DiGiovanna was a very dedicated teacher and CJSF adviser at Piute Middle School in Lancaster who was passionate about the CJSF members in her chapter as well as throughout California. She later served as a volunteer on the State Board of Directors for eight years as CJSF Vice President (South Central) and CJSF Registrar until her passing in June 2016.
California Junior Scholarship Federation 7th and 8th grade members are asked to write an essay that shares how one community service experience has impacted them personally. In addition, they are asked to suggest a service that could benefit their community or school in the future.
Each year there is one award Recipient in each region; each winning recipient will receive a $100 award.