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.
Megan Louie has been recognized as the 2025-2026 DiGiovanna Award Central Coast Region Recipient for the exceptional writing of her essay and contribution to her community.
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Megan Louie – Chapter 1206jcc Creekside Middle School
Adviser Sally Yoo
Principal Susan Shih
Castro Valley Unified School District
Volunteering at a Christmas Eve potluck service last Christmas opened Megan Louie’s eyes to the difference in the reality of her family life and that of many people who do not have family, food, or gifts to share at Christmas.
A service activity to benefit her school community would be to host similar “free meal pop-ups during holiday seasons” for people who do not have the support in their lives that Megan and many other people take for granted.
Megan wrote that “CJSF has meant more than just getting hours for me. It gave me a life changing experience I will never forget.”
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.