2025 - Scholarship Program

During her high school years she participated in 3 sports – Girls’ Flag Football, Track and Field and Cross Country.  She worked with the Principal to create a Girls Flag Football Team.  She also started the Engineering Society, a student club designed to help promote the engineering pathway and engage in hands-on STEM activities and to help achieve her goal of making a name for women in the engineering field.  She also volunteered at the OC Dept of Education where she volunteered as a OC Pathways Ambassador, speaking at conferences and serving at STEM events.   Additionally she served as a Youth Community Volunteer for the city of Los Alamitos.

As ASB Activities Coordinator he organized events that foster school spirit and unity.  Earning Eagle Scout and serving as Senior Patrol Leader taught him project management skills, especially during his Eagle Project where he led a team to build protective structures for a local shelter.  In addition he coached youth sports to help kids develop confidence and teamwork.  He started a Pickleball Club during which he learned the value of service, mentorship and leadership which has helped shape his commitment to give back.

Within his four years of high school he involved himself in a range of activities ranging from Track & Field, visual arts, and theatre.  Since his sophomore year he has been a part of Los Al’s Drama department, working especially with the technical areas of theatre.  Creativity in technical theatre led him to an important part of his development.  He was a quiet, artsy kid who was uncomfortable in front of a crowd.  Technical theatre is where he began to come of out of his shell and helped him to give back to his community and himself at the same time.

As Co-President of the Growing Up STEM Club she spent time explaining to elementary students many of sciences’ mysteries.  In addition she had the privilege of sharing her passion for dance with the Down for Dance, a non-profit organization.  As a volunteer and avid dancer herself, she recognized the importance of self-expression through creative movement.  Working with dancers between 7-60, she learned to overcome communication hurdles and incorporate different techniques to accommodate individual dancers’ needs.  Under her watch the Down for Dance group expanded students’ participation in recitals, festivals, and conventions. 

Her most valuable experience in community service was the time she spent on beach cleanups within the local Orange County community.  Through the past four years she participated many times with different clubs in LAHS, dedicating time to remove trash and waste from the beach. The groups planned the event clean-up, gathered supplies, and participated in the promotion of the event in an effort to spread the word.   She studied the effects of trash that can cause pollution and hazards to animal and human health.  Taking care of our climate and economy is important to her and she believes that cleanup efforts are one of the best ways to tackle the issue of contaminating a delicate ecosystem.

The Spanish Honors Society is the most significant student organization in which he participated.  He began volunteering at various events which helped him reconnect with his colorful and proud Mexican heritage.  At school he was able to aid his fellow classmates in grasping the Spanish language as he tutored them.  His involvement helped the community grow as he closed the language gap.  He also participated in a Youth Center Program, a non-profit organization called Camp Shark where they would engage in fun activities with the youth in the summer months.  Playing cards, colorful crafts and dodgeball were some of the activities he led. 

Academics and sports are both important to her but helping her community was her real passion. Through her 6 years in National Chairty League, she had the opportunity to make a real impact by playing bingo with residents of the local convalescent home and by providing prom dresses for students who were unable to afford them. Another community activity that was important to her was Camp Oakes, a YMCA summer camp where she was a counselor.  She supervised and helped students become more independent.  And she mentored students in the goal-setting and achievement program.   In addition, she was involved with choir, took 9 AP classes and was on  the swim team, but being on the cross country team was her true passion.