Welcome to East Lake High School Scholarship Fund, Inc.

East Lake High School was the first high School in Pahokee, Florida for black students. The Class of 1960-61 was the first class to graduate from East Lake High. Prior to the opening of East Lake High, black high school students were transported to Lake Shore High, a Black high school in Belle Glade, Florida. Desegregation of Palm Beach County Schools happened gradually from 1961 to 1973. In 1968 East Lake High School became an integrated middle school, and the high school students had the choice of attending the integrated Pahokee High School or the high school in Belle Glade. Many proud alumni went on to achieve success in their chosen fields.

The East Lake High School Scholarship Fund, Inc., governed by an eight member Board of Directors, was established in 2011 by East Lake alumni, former faculty members and friends. The chief objective is to provide scholarships to deserving students who graduate from a public high school in Pahokee. Since its beginning, the East Lake High School Scholarship Fund, Inc. has awarded more than 40 scholarships to assist graduates in accomplishing their dreams of a higher education. The East Lake Scholarship Fund Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and your scholarship donation is tax deductible.

Mission Statement

The mission of the East Lake High School Scholarship Fund, Inc. is to provide scholarships to deserving students who graduate from a public high school in Pahokee, Florida. It is our desire that this financial assistance will encourage students to continue their pursuit for higher education.

Board of Directors

Co-Chairman – Mr. Anthony Sheffield

Anthony Sheffield is a graduate of Middleton High School Tampa, FL and Savannah State College Savannah, GA.  He served in the US Air Force with an honorable discharge prior moving to California and working in Health Care Administration.  He is retired and lives in Douglasville, GA.

dr_richard_johnsonTreasurer – Dr. Richard S. Johnson, M.D.

Dr. Richard S. Johnson is a graduate of East Lake High School and Morehouse College (Atlanta, Ga.). After earning a BS degree in Biology/Chemistry from Morehouse College, Dr. Johnson enrolled and graduated from St. Louis University Medical School with an M.D. degree. He practiced medicine in West Palm Beach, FL for more than 20 years prior to retiring. He is a former board member of the Pahokee Housing Authority. Hobbies include flying and encouraging academia in youths.

Secretary – Margaret Bess

Retired educator from the Palm Beach County School District. B.S. and Master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University. Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Las Novias Society and President of the Glades Ebonique Ladies Club of Pahokee.

Additional Members

    • Mrs. Daisy Brown Lanier
    • Mrs. Juliet Johnson
    • Mrs. Erma Hudson
    • Mr. John H. Williams
    • Ms. Altoria W. Henley