EAST LOS ANGELES - Sixteen students at Garfield High were awarded scholarships on June 10 by the Boys of Belvedere during a ceremony at the school.

The scholarships ranged in amounts from $250 to $500 with one being $1,000, said Ernie Ayala, the group's secretary who is a Monterey Park-based insurance agent.

Ayala said more than $6,500 in total was given out to the graduates, adding the selection process was difficult.

"They were selected by an individual panel that helped us out with the selection," he said. "(The students) applied for them and we determined who got them."

Eddie Preciado, another member of the group, was thrilled to be able to help out the students as they embark on their journeys to college.

"It was such a great feeling and we strive to give out more each year," said Preciado, who added the money was all donated through fundraisers. "That's all we're really in existence for is to give out scholarships."

In addition, Preciado said the group is quite the elite bunch.

"We're just asking they graduate and that they continue going to school," he said. "We've got kids who have gone to Yale, Princeton, Stanford, some prestigious schools."

The scholarship recipients were Michael Abarca, Marlene Frausto, Yareliy Fernandez, Yvonne Gutierrez, Brenda Flores, Ruben Macias, Annabel Meza, Emanuel Ruiz, Kevin Duran, Sandra Ramirez, Manuel Fuentes, David Soto, Maria Zaragoza, Guadalupe Lira, Bobby Vargas and Arlene Torres.

The Boys of Belvedere started several years back as a men's social club and soon evolved into a non-profit. Membership is not easy as there are just 16 in the group. Ayala said there is no space for part-time members as every member is expected to play a part of a team that can brainstorm and work to make the various projects successful and profitable.

The Boys of Belvedere welcome anyone who wants to join the group as it meets the second Monday of every month at Carrow's Restaurant in Montebello at 6p.m. All persons interested are welcome as the membership represents every area of background in white and blue collar experience.

The only requirements are simple: Be there and do something. Promptness, dependability and involvement are the main ingredients to the success of the Boys of Belvedere.

The group began quite conservatively as two scholarships were awarded in 2008. Then in 2009, six students were awarded with scholarships.

(Shel Segal can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .)