Pearl Awards ‘Musicians Making A Difference’ Scholarship

In May 2021, Pearl Corporation opened a new college scholarship, “Musicians Making A Difference,” awarding $10,000 annually in the amount of two $5,000 scholarships to high school musicians who have demonstrated the ability to impact positive change in their community. After careful review from a panel of Pearl staff and artists, Pearl has awarded this year’s scholarships to Wendo Kimori and Samuel Bestge.

Driven by a passion for encouraging minority students to think big and engage creativity specifically in leadership roles, Kimori started an NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) Youth Council in her hometown of Lawrence, Kansas. Kimori helped to organize community meal days to combat food insecurity amongst groups of homeless shelters and women’s domestic violence centers.

“I feel exceptionally honored to be selected as a recipient of the Pearl Musicians Making a Difference Scholarship,” Kimori. said “I am looking forward to continuing my community work, as well as playing the violin in college. Thank you to Pearl Drums for celebrating musicians who are giving back to their community.”

Bestge has spent the last seven years giving back to his community through Sam’s Meals for Many, a service project that benefits food insecurity during the holidays. Sam’s Meals for Many has fed more than 1,250 people over the last seven years and has raised more than $143,000 to combat food insecurity in his community.

“I am honored and grateful to be a recipient of the Musicians Making a Difference Scholarship,” Bestge said. “This scholarship will help me further my playing abilities with the University of North Dakota’s University Band and grow as a musician and a scholar.”

pearldrum.com