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This is the season when graduation is the topic in lots of casual conversations. Come June the focus is on the future... careers, vocations, aspirations for college and other post high school plans. Scholarships play an important role in many local graduates' lives helping to spread a community message of opportunity.

Scholarships are born of the desire on somebody's part to help others keep alive their dreams and often scholarships help keep alive the memory of an exceptional person. One example is the Rotary's Calvin Djam Scholarship, awarded through the Community Foundation.

Sunday, May 31, a benefit to help capitalize this Fund began with a special mass at St. Bridget's of Sweden Church in Lindstrom.

Devoted to celebrating diversity and to remind us to embrace those things that unite us; the Calvin Djam Scholarship was first-awarded eight years ago. Financial support from 25 local businesses and dozens of individual donors initiated the fund.

Djam's father, Jerome, came to work and live in this area from Cameroon, Africa. He is now director of Creative Work Options, Inc. a vocational program for persons with disabilities in Chisago County.

Calvin, the eldest of Djam's three sons, was a student at Lakeside School when he died from pneumonia, complicated by previously undiagnosed sickle cell anemia.

This year the family moved the memorial celebration out of the school setting and into St. Bridget's Church for the general public to enjoy. Jerome Djam hopes to continue this as a community celebration of diversity and an on-going festive fundraiser.

The St. Peter Clavers Cameroon (West Africa) Choir performed during morning services. Ethnic African foods were featured in a luncheon that followed in St. Bridget's Fellowship Hall.

The African arts were at the heart of performances in the sanctuary after lunch. Pictured are members of the Women's Royal Dance troupe from the highlands of Cameroon. Also performing were JuJu Mask Dancers, Cameroon Makossa Music group and a solo guitarist. Calvin's classmate, Breanna Solem, who is entering 11th grade next fall (inset photo) sang a song dedicated to Calvin Djam's brief but inspirational life.

To donate to the scholarship fund or for more information contact: a Rotary member or mail checks to Chisago Lake Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 449, Lindstrom, MN 55045, payable to CL Rotary Fund of CLACF.

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