Local Foundation Awards $140,000 in College Scholarships

Students from the Pasadena Unified School District receiving the AIM High Scholarships and the PEF/PHS Wark Scholarships were honored on Thursday, June 4, at a special reception at the Tournament of Roses.

PEF’s AIM HIGH Scholarships, developed with funding from College Access Foundation, honor students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance, leadership and involvement in their high school career.

This year 33 seniors received $140,000 in college scholarships. Sixteen of the students were awarded scholarships to attend four-year colleges and universities that include UCLA, UC Berkeley, Occidental, USC, Columbia University, Colorado State University. Fifteen students received scholarships to attend community colleges; most will attend Pasadena City College.

“The committee reviewing the applications was impressed with the academic achievement of all the applicants, and was also moved by their personal stories and challenges, said Joan Fauvre, PEF’s executive director. “They are all amazing young adults. We are proud to award them with our AIM high Scholarships and are grateful to College Access Foundation for making this possible.” College Access Foundation’s mission is to make college a reality for all students in California by increasing access with financial assistance.

Students honored with the AIM High $10,000 Inspiration Awards and PHS/PEF Wark Scholarships to attend 4-year colleges and universities are: Jonathan Graff and Jose Palomares, Blair IB Magnet; Morgan Tucker, John Muir High; Luis Aguilar and Sydney Taron, Marshall Fundamental School; Kristine de La Cruz, Alex Collazo, Sinead Collazo, Sierra Senzaki and Guillermina Nava Rodriquez, Pasadena High School. Students winning the $4,000 Incentive Awards to attend 4-year colleges and universities are: Kenneth Candray, John Muir; Mallory Browne and Adonai Haile, Marshall Fundamental; Marissa Sanchez and Matthew Vine, Pasadena High School. Students winning the $1,000 Hope Award to attend a community college are: Andres Hernandez, Arcelica Medina and Maurico Moreno, Blair IB; Joshua Jones, Cynthia Ponciano and Zulay Saldena, John Muir High School; Daniel Del Hoyo, Isamel Hernandez, Sarine Papazian and Srbuhi Poghosyan, Marshall Fundamental; Daniel Larranago, Janette Hernandez, Andrew Paisley, Tatev Papikyan, Andrea Ramirez and Jose Villalon, Pasadena High School.

For more information about the Pasadena Educational Foundation call 626-396-3600 x88359, or www.pasedfoundation.org.

Pasadena Educational Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support educational programs, students and teachers of the Pasadena Unified School District, that serves Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre. Founded in 1971, Pasadena Educational Foundation is the oldest educational foundation in the state of California.

College Access Foundation of California, the largest grant making organization of its kind in the state, helps California students who have financial need attend college. The Foundation provides millions of dollars in grants to community-based organizations that are helping students prepare for and enter institutions of higher learning.