Azaria Mandalena Kumalo Finalist Never Drink and Drive Scholarship 2022

Azaria Mandalena Kumalo

Scholarship Finalist Essay

Azaria Mandalena Kumalo
Major: Journalism & Communications
School: Cosumnes River College (Expected Graduation Date: May 2022)
San Jose State University (Expected Graduation Date: 2024)

When I was in middle school, a friend of mine named Angelina lost her father due to a drunk driver on the road. I knew Angel since early elementary school and finding this information out was shattering because I watched her go from this bright and bubbly individual to this person that is still bright, but deeply broken.

Even though she lost the person that was supposed to scare off boys in high school and take her to the father-daughter dance, Angel still held onto optimism. As time went on, she continued to develop friendships and spread the word about drunk driving prevention. I’m not sure how she did and how she continues to brave life, but I know that there isn’t a day that goes by that she doesn’t think of her dad.

Her father’s death brought her family closer together than ever before. She was able to connect with family members who she never met. I’m not sure how she did and how she continues to brave life, but I know that there isn’t a day that goes by that she doesn’t think of her dad. Currently, she’s a high school graduate and a soon-to-be mom.

If that drunk driver wasn’t on the road Angel’s dad would have seen her go to prom and later, walk across the stage. He would be here to welcome his soon-to-be granddaughter. He would be exactly what he was. A father.

Most people think that buzzed driving doesn’t count as impaired driving I think it’s important to start with this very idea. Shutting down misinformation by putting out flyers in my community as well as posting virtual flyers to social media would be a way I’d help spread awareness to drunk driving prevention. Impaired driving ends and destroys people’s life. It’s not just those who were in the accident, but their loved ones’ life too.


Azaria Mandalena Kumalo is one of six finalists for the Johnson Attorneys Group Never Drink and Drive $1,000 scholarship for spring 2022. The winner will be announced later this month.

James Johnson

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