STATE COLLEGE — Members of the Osaze’s Heart Scholarship Committee extend a warm invitation to all community members to join them for “A Taste of the Town,” the committee’s 2026 fundraiser dinner, which will take place on Wednesday, March 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the State College Borough Municipal Building.
This year, the scholarship committee is celebrating the delicious diversity of ethnic cuisine in our community. Dinner guests will sample mouthwatering dishes made by three local caterers: Mya’s Jamaican Pot Roast, Fatoum Bistro, and Carmen’s Catering. These chefs will lovingly prepare an 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,” says Iyun Osagie, Osaze’s mother. “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.”
“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.”
In addition to the delicious food, there will be arts and crafts for children, an entertainment program featuring talented State College artistes Naty Martinez and Eric Ian Farmer and a raffle/silent auction with a wide selection of exciting prizes: Gift certificates from local businesses and restaurants, original art works by local artists, framed photos taken by talented photographers, one-on-one fitness sessions with certified trainers, personalized coaching from a tennis pro, and lots more.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will help the Osagie family and the Osaze’s Heart Scholarship Committee achieve their goals of raising money for the scholarship set up in Osaze’s name in the State College Area High School in 2021. Every year, the Osaze’s Heart Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding student from a racially underrepresented community who, like Osaze, goes above and beyond duty to volunteer in our community. The funds have helped past recipients Elana Laing, Luis Otarola and Justin Castro-Dixon get off to a solid start in their first semester of college.
“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,” says Drey Kharem, co-chair of the Osaze’s Heart Scholarship Committee. “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”.
Early bird tickets (from Feb. 14-Feb. 28) are $10 for adults /$1 for kids aged 3-10. From March 1 to March 18, ticket prices are $13 for adults/$2 for kids aged 3-10.
