An upcoming fundraiser dinner featuring international flavors from local caterers, entertainment and a silent auction will support the 2026 Osaze’s Heart Community Service Scholarship.
Organized by the Osaze’s Heart Scholarship Committee, “A Taste of the Town” will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on March 18 at the State College Municipal Building.
The scholarship was established in honor of Osaze Osagie, a State College resident who was fatally shot by police during a mental health call in 2019. It is awarded annually to outstanding State College Area High School students from racially underrepresented communities “who, like Osaze, goes above and beyond duty to volunteer in our community,” according to the committee.
“A Taste of the Town” will feature dishes from Mya’s Jamaican Pot Roast, Fatoum Bistro and Carmen’s Catering withan array of Caribbean, Romanian and Indian specialties, including vegetarian and vegan dishes. Dinner will be followed by dessert, and special homemade cookies prepared by committee member Sarah Kipp.
“There’s nothing more precious than seeing our community come together in unity,” Iyun Osagie, Osaze’s mother, said. “The healing oil of fellowship flows freely. Come out and celebrate young lives who volunteer in their community in honor of our son Osaze. Thank you as always for your support.”
The night also will include arts and crafts for children and an entertainment program featuring local artists Naty Martinez and Eric Ian Farmer. A raffle/silent auction will offer a chance to win gift certificates from local businesses and restaurants, original art works and framed photos by local artists and photographers, one-on-one fitness sessions with certified trainers, personalized coaching from a tennis pro and more.
Early bird tickets, available through Feb. 28 are $10 for adults and $1 for kids aged 3-10. Tickets purchased from March 1 to March 18 are $13 for adults and $2 for kids aged 3-10.
Tickets can be purchased online.
“A Taste of the Town invites our community to support students who lead through service,” says Morgan H. Okello, co-chair of the Osaze’s Heart Scholarship Committee. “Every ticket purchased and every contribution made honors Osaze’s legacy by investing in students whose leadership shows up through compassion, generosity, and sustained care for their communities.”
The Osaze’s Heart Scholarship was established in 2021 and endowed in 2022 at Centre Foundation. It has been awarded to one or more State High students annually since then.
“It is truly an honor to serve on a committee that celebrates and rewards high school students who embody the same spirit of compassion and service as Osaze Osagie,” Drey Kharem, co-chair of the Osaze’s Heart Scholarship Committee, said. “These students represent the future of our community, and supporting their growth is the heart of this scholarship. We warmly invite the community to join us for ‘A Taste of the Town.’”
