By Heavyn Cooke
Believing deeply that education has the power to transform lives, Mohamed and Gulie Hamir established the Hamir Family Scholarship. This initiative aims to extend life-altering opportunities to the upcoming generation of young women around the world, mirroring the impact education had on their own journeys.
In its debut year, the San Juan Capistrano-based family has distributed a total of $50,000 in financial aid, granting $5,000 scholarships to ten graduating Girl Scouts. These awards are specifically intended to assist students from underrepresented and financially disadvantaged backgrounds as they transition into higher education.
“We’ve been long-term supporters of Girl Scouts for the last 10 years,” Mohamed said. “We want to make sure these girls have opportunities they otherwise might not have. If even one girl reaches her full potential because of this scholarship, we’ll consider it a success.”
The Hamirs’ dedication to education comes from their own personal experiences. Having arrived in the United States as immigrants with limited financial resources, the couple leaned on education and perseverance to establish their careers. Gulie transitioned from nursing to a career as a nurse midwife, while Mohamed supported his studies by taking on various jobs, including driving taxis and washing dishes.
Their experiences shaped a lifelong belief that education creates opportunities.
“We always tell students, ‘Never ever give up,’” Mohamed said. “There are opportunities out there. Keep looking, keep learning and don’t stop believing in yourself.”
Among this year’s recipients is Ellie Sutherland, a 2026 Los Alamitos High School graduate who has been a Girl Scout since kindergarten. This fall, she will attend UC Santa Cruz to pursue legal studies, with plans to later enter law school.
This scholarship arrived at a deeply significant moment for her and her family.
“My mom was out of work for a while, so we had some financial struggles,” Sutherland said. “This scholarship means a lot, because it’ll help pay for tuition and allow me to live on campus without worrying as much about the financial side of college.”
Sutherland has dedicated over 2,000 hours to leadership and community service throughout her 13 years in the Girl Scouts. As part of her Girl Scout Gold Award, she launched “Support a Soldier,” a project aimed at connecting civilians with active-duty military members through handwritten letters.
Sutherland, who was raised in a military family, sought to address the frequent isolation experienced by service members who are stationed far from home.
“I wanted to create a connection between active-duty military members and our civilian communities,” Sutherland said. “Seeing how appreciative they were reminded me how much small acts of kindness can mean.”
She credits Girl Scouts for instilling the values that continue to guide her.
“It meant everything to me,” Sutherland said. “Girl Scouts has taught me to put helping others first, and it’s also shown me what it feels like to have a community that supports you.”
Moving forward, Sutherland aspires to establish a legal career dedicated to helping others while remaining committed to community service.
“I just want to make a positive impact wherever I go,” she said. “I hope to encourage other people to volunteer too because that’s how stronger communities are built.”
Stories like Sutherland’s represent the exact reason the Hamirs established the scholarship.
“I hope these girls remember that somebody cared,” Mohamed said. “And one day, when they’re in a position to help someone else, they’ll pay it forward.”
With the launch of the Hamir Family Scholarship, donors and recipients alike are united by a common goal: transforming individual lives through education and building stronger communities for future generations.
The Inaugural Hamir Family Scholarship Recipients are:
Vanessa Bebout, Brea
Isabella Coveyou, San Juan Capistrano
Alyssa Jenkins, Laguna Hills
Kyleigh Mansfield, Orange
Ava Richards, Huntington Beach
Kaydence Ruiz, Garden Grove
Savera Sekhon, Irvine
Ellie Sutherland, Seal Beach
Lydia Tran, Fountain Valley
Tiffany Tran, Westminster
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Read the original article in The Capistrano Dispatch
