Harry S. Lester Memorial Scholarship

Integrity, perseverance, loyalty, and old-fashioned hard work are admirable qualities, and often found as precursors to success. Certainly, this was the case with Harry Lester, who immigrated to the United States from Germany alongside his mother with only pennies to their name in 1939.  

Harry’s early years included many difficult, dangerous years in Nazi Germany. His perilous journey to America, at the age of 13, came close to being a disaster.  Even upon arrival in New York City, Harry faced unpleasant living conditions and the reality of being a stranger in every aspect of his life.  

None of this stopped him. Harry excelled in school. He found employment as soon as he could. Upon graduating from high school, Harry furthered his education by obtaining his accounting degree from a college in San Francisco. He also joined the Marines Corps.  

Eventually, Harry started work as the controller accountant for a growing family-owned business. He worked for this company until he retired over 40 years later.  During those years, Harry made sure to keep informed about local, national and world politics while also taking the time to engage in activities which served his community.  

Throughout his life, Harry taught by example.  This scholarship gratefully recognizes his honest, important contributions to our world by asking the kinds of questions he would have been proud and prepared to answer himself.

A $1,000 scholarship will be presented to the top two Cypress College student entries.

To be eligible for the scholarships, submit an entry following the instructions contained in this document. All entries will be reviewed by the Scholarship committee and prizes of $1,000 will be awarded to the top two finishers.

Step One: Answer one of the following prompts:

1. Throughout recent history, the president of the United States has often been called the most powerful leader of the world. Among the 46 men who have been president, which one do you feel best exemplified the traits of a leader? Give supporting examples, and discuss one time when this same president fell short of the mark. 

2. Many years ago, a TV news anchor named Walter Cronkite was considered the true example of an unbiased journalist. He reported nothing but the facts, and presented them in a fair but compelling manner. These days, much of the news is sensationalized and one-sided. It is difficult to find any news organization which doesn’t attempt to present opinions as facts. In light of this, how do you think people should educate themselves about current events? Please include your own approach and compare/contrast at least one current journalist with Mr. Cronkite. 

3. In 1948, Winston Churchill said, “ Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” What time period or event from history do you think we most need to remember now? Describe the lessons you think we should learn from this in context of a current issue of concern. 

4. You have just been presented with a loan to start your own small business with just one restriction: Your business has to provide a public service to the community. Describe the business you would create and how it would meet the specified requirement. 

5. In our current world, stating one’s opinion about a controversial topic can often mean facing angry, or even violent, responses. How can we become more tolerant as a society? Do you see a path toward civility, or are we headed toward civil war? Present your response in context of other national or international conflicts which seemed insurmountable and yet were eventually resolved peacefully.  

Step Two: 

a). Submit a written essay with 500 minimum to 750 words maximum. AI entries, or any form of copying or plagiarism, will automatically be rejected. 

b). Please include word count of essay and prompt number you are responding to on submission. 

• Scholarships open to students of any faith. 
• Only currently enrolled Cypress College students are eligible to apply. 
• Entry forms and essays must be submitted as digital files. 
• Deadline for Submission is April 14, 2025. 

Submission:

1. Demonstrates evidence of insight and personal reflection. 
2. Approaches selected topic thoughtfully and thoroughly. 
3. Demonstrates cohesiveness, good grammar, and syntax. 
4. Is memorable and engaging, purposeful, and historically accurate. 

Cypress College Foundation
foundation@cypresscollege.edu