Something special happens when neighbors invest in students. Dreams become plans. Plans become reality. And last night at CRLS, the Cambridge Community Foundation welcomed its newest Falcon Pride Scholars—all 10 of them.
“I have a lot of CRLS pride, so it feels awesome to get the scholarship,” shares Farai Sundai, one of our 2025 scholars who plans to study civil engineering at Northwestern University. “I worked really hard to get into a prestigious school and this is helping to support my dream of exploring all of these new opportunities.”
For the first time since the scholarship’s founding in 2017, CCF awarded 10 four-year, $10,000 scholarships—up from eight last year. This expansion marks a new chapter for Cambridge’s homegrown scholarship fund, which now surpasses $1 million in assets thanks to the power of collective giving.
A Community’s Investment
Nine years ago, three CRLS parents—Andus Baker, his wife Rowan Murphy, and fellow parent Liz Keating—saw a need. Their kids’ classmates were getting into college but struggling with hidden costs like textbooks, tutoring, and laptop repairs.
“We knew this community cares passionately about education and equality, and we had to find a way to help,” remembers Rowan. “We had watched our own children’s fellow students struggle with college persistence—from not being able to afford trips home to unexpected housing costs.”
What started as 4 scholarships worth $2,500 each has grown exponentially:
- 10 scholarships (up 150 percent)
- $10,000 each (up 300 percent)
- 4-year support (doubled from 2 years)
“We’ve been collectively overwhelmed by the generosity of the community,” says Andus. “And this could not have grown without the foundation investing the people, time, and expertise to support it. It takes both generous donors and strong infrastructure to build something sustainable.”
The 2025 Falcon Pride Scholars
These remarkable students are heading to college to study medicine, engineering, game development, nursing, and more:
- Cindy Thelma Bang
- Jae-lillian Callahan
- Yanency Fletcher-Lewis
- Keyanna Gonzalez, Falcon Pride Bushner Breakthrough Scholar
- Paulino Guevara Mateo, Falcon Pride Enroot Scholar
- Michael Keane
- Chengyue Liao
- Feven Mengistu
- Modejina Louverture
- Farai Sundai
“The Falcon Pride Scholarship exemplifies what’s possible when a community comes together,” says Phil Johnson, CCF board chair. “These scholarship awards are investments in young people who will shape Cambridge’s future. The increase to 10 scholars and the fund’s growth to $1 million in assets shows our collective belief that every student deserves the chance to thrive in college and beyond.”
The scholarship takes a trust-based approach, giving payments directly to students. “We wanted to make the money as flexible as possible,” explains Rowan Murphy, “so they could use it for the things that were important for them. We trust these young people to make the right decisions.”
Looking Forward
As Falcon Pride approaches its 10th cohort next year, the program continues to embody Cambridge at its best: neighbors supporting neighbors, creating pathways to success that strengthen our entire community.
“This milestone shows what’s possible when a community believes in its young people,” says Liz. “We started Falcon Pride with the simple idea that there had to be a better way to meaningfully support students through college. To see it grow from four scholarships to ten — and to know that students have the flexibility to use these funds where they need it most — is incredibly rewarding. We’re proud of what we’ve built and even more excited about where Falcon Pride will go from here.”
Each $10,000 scholarship represents more than financial support—it’s a four-year commitment from hometown to student, a reminder that Cambridge believes in its young people.
