Members of the Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association elected its 2021 leadership Wednesday after electing its board at a Feb. 11 virtual public meeting.

Friends of Cambridge Rindge & Latin School has committed to present $70,750 in scholarships this spring, an increase of $15,250 above the scholarship total last year made possible by hundreds of donors and sponsors. The 45 awards range from $500 to $5,000.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts has added Omari Jahi Aarons of Cambridge to a two-year term on its board of directors.

Internationally renowned executive chef Leon West, inducted into the African American Chef’s Hall of Fame and honored as a Cambridge Black Trailblazer, died Aug. 21 at age 74.

The Friends of Cambridge Rindge & Latin School would like to share an appreciation of Christopher Saheed, who as principal of the high school helped the nonprofit organization gets its start – and now lives on through the Dr. Christopher Saheed Future Educators Scholarship.

The Friends of Cambridge Rindge and Latin School is awarding $55,500 in scholarships to 36 graduating seniors, even though the Covid-19 outbreak prevented the group from holding its annual Spring Bash.

Michael Pavelecky, 71, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, born March 6, 1949, passed away March 17, 2020. A celebration of his life will be held at a date and time to be announced.

Cambridge’s Rick Olick has joined the Mystic River Watershed Association board of directors, and xelon Generation has announced a grant of $12,500 to support the association’s environmental education programs for youth. 

Alumni of Lesley University, including members of the Class of 1969 on campus for a 50th reunion, got a surprise during the weekend’s awards ceremony: U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley made a surprise visit and speech in honor of her chief of staff, alum Sarah Groh.

Lesley University has chosen Amy Green Deines to be dean of its College of Art and Design, Provost Margaret Everett announced Thursday. Deines will start work in July, succeeding Richard Zauft, who is retiring at the end of the academic year.