Tatum Abe
Tatum's song team participation provided leadership skills, showed her patience and perseverance and the hard work it take to achieve your goals. She helped the freshman class transition to high school and feel comfortable in their new surroundings.
Her biggest impact was made when she volunteered with a mother daughter organization to benefit the community including a summer kids camp, summer school and a single mothers group.
The library brings back vivid memories as a young child picking out books, playing school and acting as the teacher. The library has been a comfortable place throughout the years cultivating curiosity and providing the necessary resources for school work.
Tatum received our special scholarship in the name of Joseph Mannix this year due to her interest in the design and graphic fields. She will attend California State University in San Luis Obispo to major in Graphic Design and Marketing. She also discovered book cover design and wants to cultivate love for reading by designing books that entice the reader.
Skaylar Quinonez Bereta
Playing lacrosse during Skaylar's high school years was more than just a sport. The experience provided personal growth and helped her develop leadership skills.
Her community activities have been instrumental in helping her master communication and problem solving. Friendships gained through volunteering are invaluable and open to new opportunities.
The library played a pivotal role in her academic journey and fueled her interest in veterinary science. She discovered new subjects and ideas to pursue and foster her passion for learning and reading.
Skaylar will attend California State University in Fullerton to major in Biology with a specialization in Ecology and Evolutionary Studies.
Nicholas Carleton
Nicholas has volunteered hundreds of hour during his 4 years in high school in the Los Alamitos and surrounding areas with a young men’s organization which has given him an appreciation for community service.
Volunteering also for a food distribution organization made the biggest and lasting impact by realizing there is a need in the community regarding food insecurity.
The library has been a cornerstone since he was young and using library resources as he grew up. He was able to buy books from the FOL bookstore. His passion for history came from reading the various library books. Having access to books is a powerful and necessary tool for success.
Nicholas will attend California State University in Long Beach to major in History and become as teacher – hopefully in the Los Alamitos District. He wants to be a teacher with a rich and diverse classroom.
Tyler Hain
Through Boy Scouts Tyler learned leadership skills, how to preserve and improve our environment and the importance of giving back to our community. As a teacher’s aide he enjoyed helping students in the Life Science class.
His many other volunteer hours included working with veterans, animals and the environment.
He credits the library and research desk librarians for help in many areas when needed during school. He had access to books and other materials he might not have had otherwise. All of this influenced his joy for reading now.
His science classes sparked the interest in the medical field and helped find his passion. He wants to be a Physicians Assistant.
Tyler will attend California State University in Long Beach to major in Kinesiology as the first step then attend school to be a Physicians Assistant.
Joelle Kaiser
One of Joelle's notable activities during high school was as a student mentor assisting with an Algebra I class with students struggling to learn the subject. She provided peer to peer support which helped the students understand the class.
Her public speaking and social skills improved as she volunteered with various activities through her church and school.
Joelle served as a student representative for the Friends of the Library Los Alamitos/Rossmoor for a couple of years providing the FOL with pertinent information about the local school activities. This experience helped her foster relationships and gain confidence to try new ventures.
Joelle will attend UC Irvine as a Computer Science major. She has a major interest in Artificial Intelligence and various aspects of technology, design and foster human technology interactions as a tool to help grow one’s mind.
Hayden Vong
Hayden enjoyed the science and technology classes in high school and taught students these subjects so they could learn to love the sciences also.
He has a stronger connection with his neighborhood by volunteering for several different projects. Volunteering has helped shape him as a community leader, learn to help others and continue to bring others together.
He says the library has played an integral role providing a quiet place to study or escape.
Hayden will attend UC Irvine to major in Biology as a premed track to becoming a doctor.
Anton Vu
Acton has been involved with several clubs in high school which allowed him to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills and learn teamwork.
He founded the Asian Culture Club that helped breed diversity and inclusion on campus.
His community volunteering in many areas motivates him to continue creating a better world.
He never thought about reading but the library gave him the opportunity to expand his knowledge and and gain new perspectives and ideas from the various authors.
Anton wants to be a financial analyst and will attend UC San Diego for a degree in Economics and then advance to obtain his MBA.