Star Scholar - April 23, 2014

31ST ANNUAL
STARSCHOLAR
AWARDS
HONORING VENTURA COUNTYS TOP SENIORS FROM THE CLASS OF 2014
Gold Sponsors:
Bronze Sponsors:
Ventura
Downtown
Lions Club
In partnership with:
V
E
N
T
URA CO
U
N
T
Y
O
F
F
I
C
E
O
F EDU
C
A
T
I
O
N
VENTURA COUNTY
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Investing Together. For Good. For Ever.
2
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Star Scholar
Awards
Misty
May-Treanor
Keynote
Speaker
M
istys performance in the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England
captured the hearts of fans from all around the World. After many
believedshe couldnt recover froma serious injury/surgery incurred
from her appearance on TVs Dancing With The Stars just three
years prior, Misty showed her resolve, work ethic, and commitment
inretainingher standingas thegreatest athleteinher sport withher
thirdconsecutive Olympic GoldMedal in London.
Above and beyond Mistys achievements in her sport, she takes great personal pride in
being an outstanding role model and making an impact with each opportunity she can.
Misty spreads goodwill through her work with Special Olympics, Make-A-Wish Founda-
tionandher owneducational/clinic curriculum, as well as many other causes andinitiatives
important to her.
As oneof themost respectedmajor corporatebrandspokespersons, Mistyenjoys impact-
ful corporatebrandpartnerships withleadingcompanies Nike, Wheaties, AT&T, Visa, Arnold/
Oroweat/Brownberry Breads, Purina, Gatorade, Stoufers, OPI, Spalding, Teva Respiratory,
Topps, Abreva andmore.
Misty has dominated every level of the sport of volleyball, both as an indoor volleyball
champion (two California State Championships at Newport Harbor High School, 1991-1995
andoneNCAADivision1Championshipat CSULongBeach, 1998) andas themost decorated
athlete in beach volleyball history.
Looking back, its no surprise that this Long Beach native became a professional athlete.
Misty grew up playing beach volleyball at the Santa Monica Pier with her parents, 1968
volleyball Olympian Butch May and Barbara May, a nationally ranked tennis player. Misty is
marriedto Major League Baseball catcher, Matt Treanor.
With Three Olympic Gold Medals
(Athens 04, Beijing 08 and
London 12), combined with 109
career tournament victories,
Misty May-Treanor is considered
the greatest beach volleyball player
in the history of the sport.
Misty: My Journey
ThroughVolleyball
andLife
From the publisher: Destined for beach
volleyball superstardom, having been
raised on famed Muscle Beach in Santa
Monica, Misty talks about the per-
sonal and professional challenges she
has faced and the life lessons she has
learnedintheprocess. Shetells behind-
the-scenes stories about her eight-year
climbtothetopof beachvolleyball with
partners Holly McPeak and Kerri Walsh;
her role on ABCs hit television show
Dancingwiththe Stars; andof course,
her historic Olympic gold medals and
the special rewards theyve brought.
3
Star Scholar
Awards
Akemi D. Levine
Adolfo Camarillo High School
GPA: 4.67
School Activities
Senior Class President; TEENS (founder/president); National Honor Society; CSF
Community Activities
Shotokan Karate (black belt); Azuma Japanese Dance; Many Meals (volunteer);
Casa Pacifca (volunteer); Casa Hogar Orphanage, Mexico (volunteer); AAUW
Tech Trek Summer Camp (counselor); tutor (math/science); babysitter
College/Major
UC Berkeley, Georgetown, University of Pennsylvania / Business Management,
Psychology
Parents: Lisa Levine
Jonathan S. Meier
GPA: 4.83
School Activities
Varsity Football (captain); Varsity Track & Field; Community Service Athlete;
National Honor Society (board member); CSF; Knowledge Bowl
Camarillo Roadrunners Youth Football (coach); tutor (math/science); Ventura
County Rescue Mission (volunteer); Many Meals (volunteer)
College/Major
US Naval Academy / Aerospace Engineering
Parents: William and Janet
Vivian Le
GPA: 4.67
School Activities
National Honor Society (board member); Canned Food Drive (former co-
chair); KIWINS; Junior Statesman of America; CSF; tutor
Girl Scouts (Venturer and troop leader); An Lac Mission and Buddhist Youth
Group (volunteer); Vietnamese Language Center (volunteer); Law Ofce of
Hogan & Hogan (intern); pianist
College/Major
USC, UCLA, Stanford, Columbia, Harvard, Princeton / Biochemistry, Biomedical
Computation
Parents: Dan Le
Jason K. Simon
Agoura High School
GPA: 4.4
School Activities
Math Honors Society (president); Film Factory (media consultant); Academic
Decathlon
Mathnasium of Thousand Oaks (volunteer, 100+ hours); raised over $500 for
the American Cancer Society/Math Honor Society on Pi Day
College/Major
Caltech, UC Berkeley / Mathematics
Parents: Jefrey and Sharon Simon
Stephanie M. Clabeaux
Agoura High School
GPA: 4.23
School Activities
Theatre (3 productions, Thespian Troupe 1814 member); JVTennis (doubles);
Varsity Tennis (alternate); English Honor Society (tutor); Every 15 Minutes; CSF
National Charity League (volunteer, 6 years); worked with several charities;
Catholic Confrmation leader (taught freshmen and sophomores)
College/Major
Chapman University, Columbia, Cornell, NYU, Northeastern University,
Northwestern, USC, Yale, UCLA, UCSB, UC San Diego, UC Irvine / Theatre
Parents: Mary and Bryan Clabeaux
Olivia S. DeLaurentis
Agoura High School
GPA: 4.21
School Activities
ComedySportz (improvisation team,
4 years; team manager, 2 years);
Drama Club (4 years); wrote and
assistant-directed Murder Mystery
play 2013, acted in Murder Mystery
play 2012
LIFE Animal Rescue (volunteer);
Agoura High School PAEC (volunteer
usher, volunteer cinematographer);
2014 PAEC Gala Event (volunteer);
Relay for Life 2014 (fundraiser)
College/Major
UCLA, Loyola Marymount University,
USC, Chapman University, Yale,
Northwestern, Wesleyan, Emerson
College, Columbia College Chicago,
UC Santa Cruz, UC Berkeley / Film
Production
Parents: Diane and Ray
DeLaurentis
Yazmin Segura
Apollo High School
GPA: 3.3
School Activities
Photography; Worked in front ofce
Church (volunteer, clean and maintain the upkeep of indoors and outdoors)
College/Major
Pierce College, Moorpark College / Child Development
Parents: Francisco and Maria Segura
The followingpages feature
the top88 graduates inVentura
County. These Star Scholars
canattribute their success to
their families, friends, mentors,
counselors, principals, teachers,
administrators andhardwork.
4
Star Scholar
Awards
Alexandria I. Fitzmaurice
Besant Hill School
GPA: 4.09
School Activities
Student Government; Volleyball; Basketball; ceramics; theosophy class; tutor
(writing)
Ojai Foundation (volunteer)
College/Major
Lewis & Clark College, Agnes Scott College, Guilford College, McGill University,
Smith College, Hendrix College, Prescott College, Mills College, Eckerd College,
University of Puget Sound / Undecided
Parents: Victoria and Thomas Fitzmaurice
Riya H. Desai
Buena High School
GPA: 4.63
School Activities
Interact; Mock Trial; SAW (political debate club); County Special Education
Program (volunteer); A-Team
Community Memorial Hospital (junior volunteer); NICU (assistant cuddler)
College/Major
Waiting to hear / Human Biology, Biochemistry
Parents: Hiren Desai
Sarah M. Shafer
Buena High School
GPA: 4.71
School Activities
Leo Club; Cheers for Children; A-Team; Knowledge Bowl; Varsity Soccer;
German-American Partnership Program
Jingle Bell Jog (volunteer); swim meet (volunteer); Club Soccer (VFC Reds);
tutor
College/Major
Cal Poly SLO / Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering
Parents: Mike and Jill Shafer
Paul W. Burroughs
Buena High School
GPA: 4.56
School Activities
Knowledge Bowl; Science League; Students for the American Way; A-Team;
Studio A Jazz Band
Tutor (every day during study hall); Science League (perform shows
advocating science for younger students); local jazz group performances
College/Major
UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UCSB, UC San Diego / Biochemistry, Computer
Engineering
Parents: Lisa Andberg and Mike Burroughs
Jonathan Gans
Calabasas High School
GPA: 4.43
School Activities
Baseball (4 years); Jimmy V Club (co-founder; vice president, 1 year); Math
Honors Society (tutor, 3 years); WASC Focus Committee (student member, 1
year)
Grades and Giving Charity (founder/tutor, 3 years); Friendship Circle
(volunteer, 4 years); West Hills Champions League (volunteer, 1 year);
Calabasas Community Center (student rep, 1 year)
College/Major
Duke (committed) / Biomedical Engineering
Parents: Daphna Gans
Emily J. Barber
GPA: 4.35
School Activities
Varsity Swim; National Honor Society; Jewish Student Union; Honor Roll
Pet Orphans of Southern California; American Cancer Society Relay for Life;
Talbert Family Foundations Calabasas Classic; tutor; lifeguard; babysitter
College/Major
Northwestern, UC Berkeley, UCSB, UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis, UCLA, University of
Texas Austin, Occidental College / Environmental Science
Parents: Beth and Chris Barber
CONGRATULATIONS
to the 31
st
Annual
Star Scholar Award honorees
SAGE supports students and books
together they open a world of possibilities!
www.sagepub.com
VCS1336183
5
Star Scholar
Awards
Rachel M. Stewart
GPA: 3.8
School Activities
The Courier (editor-in-chief );
ComedySportz; Student Senate
(president); Club Hug a Pug
(founder/president); Unstrumental;
Marching Band; Cheer
Teachers Assistant (elementary
school ceramics); Camp Alonim and
Camp Max Straus (counselor-in-
training); Mountains Restoration
Trust (volunteer); Brandy Melville
(graphic designer)
College/Major
American University, The New
School, UCSB, UC Santa Cruz, USC,
Lewis & Clark College, Skidmore,
NYU, University of San Francisco,
University of Vermont, Emerson
College / Journalism, Jazz
Vocal Performance, Sociology,
Communication, Marine Biology
Parents: Marlene and Elde Stewart
Zaira A. Aguilar
Century Academy
GPA: 3.8
School Activities
Leadership
Veterinary volunteer; marathon volunteer; helped with special needs
College/Major
Moorpark College / Animal Science, Biology, Chemistry
Parents: Laura Aguilar
Gabi Y. Lopez
Channel Islands High School
GPA: 4.68
School Activities
Key Club (president, secretary, 3 years); CSF (president, secretary,
representative, 4 years); Varsity Cross Country (captain, 4 years); Track & Field
(2 years)
Westminster Free Clinic (student intern, 2 years); St. Johns Regional Medical
Center (2 years); CAREGIVERS (2 years); Big Brothers Big Sisters (1 year)
College/Major
UC Berkeley / Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Parents: Julia E. Morales
Francis V. Paras
GPA: 4.67
School Activities
ASB; Varsity Tennis; MESA; CSF; Upward Bound at CLU
Strawberry Festival (volunteer)
College/Major
CSUN, SDSU, San Jose State University, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly SLO, St.
Johns University, UC San Diego, CLU, Syracuse, Stanford, Duke, UCLA, UCSB /
Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Sports Management
Parents: Perlito and Ana Marie Paras
Martin M. Hernandez
GPA: 4.67
School Activities
Mock Trial; Academic Decathlon; MESA; Track & Field; Cross Country;
Knowledge Bowl; CSF; Key Club; Leading the Youth
CAREGIVERS
College/Major
UC Berkeley, Stanford, Columbia, UC San Diego, Cornell / Biology, Human
Biology, Microbiology
Parents: Eurolia and Martin Hernandez
Brianna L. Therien
Community High School
GPA: 2.2
School Activities
Ofce assistant
First 5 (volunteer)
College/Major
Moorpark College / veterinary studies
Parents: Sherry Therien
Shaylynne V. Stevens
Conejo Valley High School
GPA: 3.1
School Activities
Leadership; Yearbook; ROP Floral Design (president); Project Blankie; Seekers
Club; Break Thru
Not One More; Manna (food drive, volunteer); Camp Bloomfeld Outdoor
Education (counselor)
College/Major
Pierce College, Moorpark College / Psychology, Substance Abuse and
Addiction Counseling
Parents: Paula and Roger Stevens
Carlos A. Hernandez
El Camino High School at Ventura College
GPA: 4.35
School Activities
ASB (co-president); Knowledge Bowl; Geography Challenge; AP classes;
community college classes; Math League; Ventura Unifed School District
board representative
Ventura City Corps (volunteer); Red Cross (volunteer, blood drive organizer)
College/Major
Pomona / Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mathematics
Parents: Pedro and Carmen Garcia
6
Star Scholar
Awards
Tai D. Ford
El Camino High School at Ventura College
GPA: 4.22
School Activities
ASB (4 years); Robotics program
FOOD Share (volunteer); Ventura Unifed Leadership Council fundraisers
(volunteer); Ventura Unifed School District fundraisers (volunteer); Cheers for
Children (volunteer); beach cleanups
College/Major
UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCLA, UCSB, UC San Diego, University of
Colorado Boulder, University of Washington, Cornell / Mechanical Engineering
Parents: John Ford
Gilberto Acevedo
Fillmore High School
GPA: 4.34
School Activities
Soccer; Cross Country; Track & Field; Leo Club; Big Brothers Big Sisters;
Upward Bound
St. Francis of Assissi Church (volunteer, food drive); Beautifcation Day; Leo
Club (enchilada dinner); Big Brothers Big Sisters (volunteer); Arts Show;
Community Cleanup; Relay for life; helping teachers
College/Major
Stanford, CLU, UCSB, UC San Diego, UC Berkeley, UC Merced, Cal Poly SLO /
Computer Science
Parents: Delia Garcia de Acevedo
Carson J. McLain
Fillmore High School
GPA: 4.23
School Activities
Varsity Football (quarterback); Baseball, ASB (commissioner of clubs); Dugout
Club (president); Iron Pumpers (president); Leo Club; Go Green Club; CSF
American Cancer Societys Relay for Life; Fillmore Girls Softball Mini Sox
(coach); Fillmore Youth Basketball (referee)
College/Major
UCSB, UC Berkeley, Cal Poly SLO, SDSU / Business Administration, Biology,
Biomedical Engineering
Parents: Bobby and Lori McLain
Aysen J. Tan
Foothill Technology High School
GPA: 4.68
School Activities
Foothill Dragon Press (multimedia
editor, 3 years); Quill & Scroll
Club (vice president, 2 years);
Asian Culture & Appreciation Club
(treasurer, 1 year)
City of Ventura (volunteer
photographer); Saticoy
Elementary School PTA (volunteer
photographer); Schools for
Salone Beneft Concert (volunteer
photographer); KIWINS; Relay for
Life (team member)
College/Major
Cal Poly SLO, Carnegie Mellon,
Columbia, Cornell, MIT, Princeton,
Stanford, Stevens Institute of
Technology, UC Berkeley, UCLA,
UCSB, UC San Diego / Electrical
Engineering
Parents: Anton Tan and Takako
Morita
Congratulations to the
Ventura County Star Scholar Awardees
At CSU Channel Islands working side-by-
side with professors, industry experts and
professionals is an opportunity for every student.
They bring theory into practice. They learn how
problems can be solved. These are more than
elo trlps or lnternsblps to put on resumes.
These are the lessons on which to build careers.
TOGETHER WE INNOVATE
joinus.csuci.edu/vcs
Christen Huff 12 BS Nursing Registered Nurse II, Same Day Surgery,
Community Memorial Hospital;
Gabriel Guillen 11 BS Nursing Community Health Education & Faith
Community Nurse Network Supervisor CHAMP
Program Coordinator,
Dignity Health St. Johns Hospitals
VCS1336186
7
Star Scholar
Awards
Glenda A. Marshall
Foothill Technology High School
GPA: 4.6
School Activities
Foothill Dragon Press (news editor); KIWINS; Varsity Golf (co-captain);
CSF; National Honor Society; Intervention, Reinforcement, and Enrichment
(mentor, 1 year)
Loma Vista 4-H (10 years); Youth and Government (delegate); piano; guitar;
Relay For Life; tutor (calculus)
College/Major
Santa Clara University, UC Davis, UCLA, University of Puget Sound / Physiology
Parents: Scott and Heidi Marshall
Ashley Whitcomb
Grace Brethren High School
GPA: 4.46
School Activities
National Honor Society; Peer Tutoring Program; Leadership
Vacation Bible School (volunteer); babysitter; short-term missions trips
(Downtown Los Angeles, Dominican Republic)
College/Major
Baylor / Pre-Medicine
Parents: Lane and Yoonie Whitcomb
Larissa J. Gloutak
High School at Moorpark College
GPA: 3.9
School Activities
Yearbook (editor); Phi Beta Kappa; National Honor Society; Student
Government
Dance for Hope (volunteer, choreographed and performed a solo dance in the
annual performance to raise money for cancer research); Los Robles Hospital
(volunteer); church mentor (led small-groups)
College/Major
University of Nevada Reno, UCLA, UC San Diego, Notre Dame, University of
Dallas, Washington and Lee University / Biology
Parents: Dagmar and Ronald Gloutak
Alison B. Burke
Hillcrest Christian School
GPA: 4.5
School Activities
National Honor Society (president); ASB (secretary); Varsity Volleyball (4
years); Varsity Basketball (4 years); worship band (4 years); tutor; Teachers
Assistant
Rescue Mission (volunteer); church usher; Vacation Bible School (volunteer);
Sunday School (teacher)
College/Major
Grand Canyon University / Nursing
Parents: Susan and Clif Burke
Karla A. Cruz
Hueneme High School
GPA: 4.72
School Activities
MESA; Academic Ambassador; Peer Resource; CSF; AVID
Ray D. Prueter Library (volunteer); Heritage Square (volunteer); California
Strawberry Festival (volunteer)
College/Major
UC San Diego, UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, CSU Fullerton, Cal Poly SLO, CSU
Long Beach, SDSU, Yale, Princeton, Brown / Biological Science
Parents: Nicholas and Clementina Cruz
Llareli Montejano
Hueneme High School
GPA: 4.37
School Activities
AVID; MESA; Engineering Academy; SwimTeam
Tutor (homework center); Teachers Assistant (catechism)
College/Major
UCSB, UC San Diego / Undecided
Parents: Octavio and Maria Montejano
AdamM. Ceron
Hueneme High School
GPA: 4.14
School Activities
Tennis; MESA; Geography Bowl; GATE Program
NAVSEA (pre-engineering program); Global Trade and Logistics Program at
Port of Hueneme; DRAGG; California Strawberry Festival (volunteer); Soccer
(coaching assistant); church (volunteer)
College/Major
UC San Diego, UCSB, UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, CSU Long Beach, SDSU /
Mechanical Engineering
Parents: Olivia Ornelas
Melissa C. Yu
La Reina High School
GPA: 4.72
School Activities
Varsity Swim (captain, CIF fnalist); Speech & Debate
Buenaventura Swim Club; National Charity League; choir; vocal soloist;
Chinese language classes; Conejo/Las Virgenes Future Foundations Youth
Congress Leadership Program
College/Major
Undecided / Spanish, Pre-Medicine
Parents: Mary Kay and George Yu
8
Star Scholar
Awards
Danielle C. Dougherty
Monte Vista School
GPA: 4.0
School Activities
Performs 25 hours of dance instruction each week; dances in productions for
lower-income families and fundraisers for cancer patients; performs in the
Simi Valley parade and for Sinaloa Middle School
College/Major
Interested in: NYU, University of Arizona, Marymount Manhattan College,
Juilliard School, University of Utah / Dance and Minor in Business
Parents: Sherry Dougherty
Corinne M. Hickey
Moorpark High School
Chad M. Carlson
GPA: 4.47
School Activities
National Honor Society; Physics Club; Football
Youth football (coach); guitar teacher
College/Major
UCLA, UC Berkeley, Cal Poly SLO / Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Parents: Dave and Sharon
Michael T. Picchini
GPA: 4.5
School Activities
Cross Country (captain); Track & Field; Moorpark Physics Club (president/
founder); FBLA (CEO); Spanish National Honor Society (treasurer); Catholic
Service Club (treasurer); National Honor Society
Physics Club (presents experiments for elementary school students);
Moorpark Groundhog Day 5k (committee member/volunteer); California Boys
State; church volunteer; youth track (coach, 2013)
College/Major
MIT / Physics, Engineering
Parents: Ted and Carol Picchini
Marvin Leigh T. Perdido
Newbury Park Adventist Academy
GPA: 4.0
School Activities
ASB (president, junior and senior year); National Honor Society (treasurer),
Junior Class Treasurer; Select Choir; Basketball
Mission trip (New Mexico, June 2013); mission trip (Arizona, Nov. 2013)
College/Major
La Sierra University / Pre-Medicine, Theology
Parents: Sam and Anne Perdido
Jason X. Jiang
Newbury Park High School
GPA: 4.79
School Activities
Computer Science Club; SwimTeam; Academic Decathlon; FBLA; Philosophical
Debate Club; Badminton Club; Science Olympiad Team
Many Mansions Homework Tutoring Club; Many Mansions Summer Camp
(counselor); David Lee Acupuncture (intern); Class Aquatics SwimTeam; tutor
College/Major
Princeton, Yale, Carnegie Mellon, Rice, Harvey Mudd, University of
Pennsylvania / Computer Science, Financial Engineering
Parents: Yihong Zhou and Jian Jiang
Lauren M. Heller
GPA: 4.8
School Activities
International Baccalaureate (diploma candidate); National Honor Society
(president); Varsity Tennis (captain); Academic Decathlon (vice president);
FBLA
Guide Dogs for the Blind (puppy raiser); Animal Welfare Club (president)
College/Major
Stanford, Yale, Princeton, Harvard, Claremont McKenna, Rice, University of
Chicago, Bowdoin, Swarthmore, Carleton / Mathematics, Economics
Parents: Linda and Darryl Heller
Lee M. Norgaard
GPA: 4.88
School Activities
FBLA (president); Model United
Nations (president); Varsity Tennis;
National Honor Society (secretary);
Mock Trial; CSF; International
Baccalaureate
TEDxYouth@Conejo (student
planner); tutor (Mandarin); Fen
Yang Garden Hotel, China (intern);
Xing Ye Bank, China (intern); March
of Dimes; Camarillo Public Library
(volunteer)
College/Major
Accepted to: Purdue; Pending:
Caltech, Harvey Mudd, MIT,
Stanford, UC Berkeley, UCLA,
University of Pennsylvania,
Wellesley, Yale / Computer
Engineering, Computer Science
Parents: David and Patricia
Norgaard
GPA: 4.5
School Activities
Academic Decathlon; Golf; Soccer;
Volleyball; Catholic Service Club
(president); Physics Club (ofcer);
National Honor Society; Spanish
Honors Society (vice president);
Health Occupations Students of
America
Los Robles Hospital (volunteer,
200 + hours); Eve and Gene Black
Summer Medical Career Program;
Relay for Life (captain, raised
$3,427.11); Holy Cross Church (peer
ministry); blood donor
College/Major
Yale, Brown, Harvard, Notre Dame,
UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego,
UCSB / Biomedical Engineering, Pre-
Medicine, Minor in Spanish and Art
Parents: Mike and Cindy Hickey
9
Star Scholar
Awards
Sarah Petry
Nordhof High School
GPA: 4.67
School Activities
Debate Team (co-founder/president); Associate Teacher (Algebra 1,
Chemistry); Music (fute, French horn); Chamber Choir; Water Polo
Girls Empowerment Workshop (teen leader); Leadership Group; Ojai
Recreation Department (gymnastics coach); gymnast (competitive to Level 7)
College/Major
University of Puget Sound, Western Washington University, Seattle University,
Willamette University, University of Oregon, UC Santa Cruz, UCLA, UC Berkeley
/ Chemistry, Religious Studies
Parents: Carolyn Price
Rowan D. Gaddis
Nordhof High School
GPA: 4.29
School Activities
Volleyball (4 years); Spring Musical (4 years); A Cappella Choir (3 years);
German-American Partnership Program; Associate Teacher (2 years); String
Quartet (3 years)
Interact (4 years); Special Olympics (3 years); Ojai MLK Day (2 years, planning
and MCing); Ojai Youth Symphony (3 years)
College/Major
Stanford, UCLA, UC Berkeley, UCSB, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, UC San Diego,
CSU Long Beach / Undecided, Life Sciences
Parents: David Gaddis and Anna Lee Hicks
Dorinda Fong
Oak Park High School
GPA: 4.73
School Activities
Academic Decathlon (4 years); FBLA (3 years); Green Club (4 years); Math Club
(2 years); Spanish Club (4 years); Track & Field (2 years)
Oak Park Library Solar Panel Project (3 years); Lexus Eco Challenge (1 year);
Idea to Impact (6 years); Ventura County Transportation Commission (Teen
Council, 2 years)
College/Major
Cornell, Yale, Brown, Duke, MIT, Harvard, USC, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC San
Diego / Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science
Parents: Derek and Tracy Fong
Laura V. Cruz-Albrecht
GPA: 4.75
School Activities
Key Club (president, treasurer); Science Olympiad Team; Solar Cup (build/race
solar boat: 4th place in 11th grade, 3rd place in 10th grade); Idea to Impact:
1st place in 11th grade, 2nd place in 10th grade)
Elementary School After School Club (volunteer); Sunrise Senior Center
(volunteer); Lexus Eco Challenge (national winners); religious youth group
(team leader)
College/Major
Stanford, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego/Mathematical and Computational Science
Parents: Jose and Ernestine Cruz-Albrecht
Min Kwon
GPA: 4.67
School Activities
Site Council (student-at-large
representative); Talon Student
Newspaper (head photographer,
writer); American Red Cross
(publicist); Spanish Club;
Environmental (Green) Club
Unifcation of Disabled Latin
Americans (captain, volunteer);
Pacifc American Volunteer
Association (volunteer); Lincoln-
Douglas Debate (competitor); Conejo
Valley Youth Orchestra (violist)
College/Major
Stanford, UCLA, UC Berkeley,
Harvard, Yale, Columbia
/ Advertising, Marketing,
Communication, Business
Administration
Parents: Myung Lee and Oh Suk
Kwon
Amy M. Feuer
Oak Park Independent
GPA: 3.8
California Dance Theatre (daily practice); dance at the Civic Arts Plaza during
Christmas and spring; performedThe Nutcrackersix times for school
children
Parents: Trui and Ian Feuer
Alleen Sedas
Oak ViewHigh School
GPA: 3.75
School Activities
Yearbook (editor); ASB (executive board); Community Service Club
Pitbull rescue organizations
College/Major
Moorpark College, UC Davis / Veterinary Medicine
Parents: Anabelle and Carlo Sedas
Colton H. Wade
Oaks Christian High School
GPA: 4.77
School Activities
Theatre (4 years); Student Government (Academic Prefect and Honor Board);
National Honor Society (vice president); Choir
Peer tutor; Spotlight Music Camp (volunteer); Confrmation candidate at
church; UPS Store (employee)
College/Major
Harvard, Princeton, Notre Dame, USC / International Relations, Economics
Parents: Kelly Wade
10
Star Scholar
Awards
Kevin Bondar
Oaks Christian High School
GPA: 4.76
School Activities
Varsity Tennis; Mock Trial; Speech & Debate; Leadership; National Honor
Society
Tennis (national and international tournaments); business startup; hospital
volunteer; School On Wheels (volunteer)
College/Major
Accepted to: Texas Christian University, Case Western Reserve, University
of Miami; Pending: Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, Brown, Pomona /
Neuroscience, Biochemistry
Parents: Les and Lori Bondar
Grant G. Spencer
Ojai Valley School
GPA: 4.13
School Activities
ASB (president); Class President (3 years); Drama; Football; Soccer (3 years);
Basketball (1 year); Lacrosse; Dorm Prefect (2 years)
Kids Helping Kids (CFO); Youth Basketball (volunteer coach); Targets Feria de
la Familia at Plaza de la Raza (volunteer)
College/Major
Columbia / Biology, Statistics, East Asian Studies
Parents: Patricia Palu Heller
Yannick Barron
Oxnard High School
GPA: 4.57
School Activities
Academic Decathlon (1 year); MESA (4 years, treasurer); Track & Field (3
years); Cross Country (3 years); French Club (3 years, president); Chess Club
Tutor (chemistry); Election Ofcer (2012 presidential election)
College/Major
MIT / Computer Science, Computer Engineering
Parents: Barbara Rodriguez and Jorge Barron
Flor M. Marmolejo
Oxnard High School
GPA: 4.55
School Activities
Academic Decathlon (3 years): 2nd place in Ventura County 2012 and 2013,
5th in Division III at State Level in 2014; MESA (3 years); Interact
CAREGIVERS
College/Major
Williams / Astrophysics
Parents: Rebeca Gomez
Devin J. Babauta
Oxnard High School
GPA: 4.6
School Activities
CSF (treasurer); National Honor Society (secretary); Chemistry Club
(president); Varsity Track & Field
Tutor (chemistry/math); Rescue Mission (volunteer); National Honor Society
(individual projects)
College/Major
Accepted to: UC Berkleley, UC San Diego, Cal Poly SLO, UC Irvine; Pending:
UCLA / Chemistry
Parents: Christina Dawson and Joshua Babauta
Alanah Jacquez
Pacifc High School
GPA: 3.5
School Activities
Concurrent enrollment at Ventura College; community service; tutor
Work experience (PathPoint); Boys & Girls Club (teen leader); Oxnard Clergy
Council (volunteer, Gang Task Force); Ventura County Sherifs Explorers;
Calvary Chapel Day Care (volunteer); volunteered with the homeless with
Pastor Greg
College/Major
Ventura College / Undecided
Parents: Kerry Artico
Jonathan M. Ybanez
Pacifca High School
GPA: 4.6
School Activities
CAGED Improv; Knowledge Bowl; Chess Club; A Good Thing; Triton Talk;
Geography Bowl; Peer Leaders Uniting Students
Boy Scouts (Life Scout); Seminary (religion class attended at church before
school, served as president for 1 year); various community theater plays;
community choir
College/Major
BYU / Mechanical Engineering
Parents: Daniel and Dawn Ybanez
Earianne V. Bihis
Pacifca High School
GPA: 4.38
School Activities
Varsity Tennis; Academic Decathlon (treasurer, public relations); Muralist Club;
Art Club; MESA; Chemistry Club; Talent Show (3 years)
Mary Star of the Sea Churchs Love of God Choir
College/Major
Cal Poly SLO, CSUN, UCLA, UCSB, UC Berkeley, UC Davis / Chemical
Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering
Parents: Earnel and Villarosa Bihis
11
Star Scholar
Awards
Ariana Jane T. Tantengco
Pacifca High School
GPA: 4.56
School Activities
Varsity Water Polo (3 years); Varsity Swim (4 years); College Club (co-
president); TIDE Club; Chemistry Club; Key Club
Camarillo Health Care Center (volunteer); local Oxnard food pantry
(volunteer); school volunteer; volunteer at various Ventura County events,
including charity walks
College/Major
UC Irvine, UC Davis, Scripps College, USC, Drexel, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Princeton
/ Biomedical Engineering, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chemistry
Parents: Jesus and Aradona Tantengco
Sonam Zahrt-Tenzin
Rio Mesa High School
GPA: 4.57
School Activities
Asian Club (treasurer, president); Geography Bowl (4 years); Link Crew
(commissioner); CSF; Soccer; Varsity Track & Field
Cultural performances (Chinese Lion Dance); volunteer activities; fundraisers;
visiting elderly citizens; working at community and school events
College/Major
UCSB, Stanford, MIT, Cal Poly, Carnegie Mellon / Computer Science
Parents: Heid Zahrt and Yeshi Tenzin
Kurt T. Madland
GPA: 4.72
Sailing instructor (summers, fve years); youth sailing racing team
(kickstarted program, coach)
College/Major
UCSB / Computer Science
Parents: Jefrie and David Madland
Krystin Ventura
GPA: 4.57
School Activities
Varsity Water Polo (captain); Varsity Swim; CSF; Link Crew
Ventura County Junior Lifeguards
College/Major
UC Berkeley, Stanford, Yale, Princeton, Harvard, UCSB, UCLA, Georgetown /
Undecided
Parents: Andy and Nancy Ventura
Mary E. Harris
Royal High School
GPA: 4.55
School Activities
Leadership (vice president); Ronald Reagan Committee; National Honor Society
(treasurer); Beta Club (co-founder); CSF (treasurer); Spanish Club (director of
activities)
PTSA; Sunday School (teacher); Ronald Reagan Citizen Scholar; Madera
Elementary (volunteer)
College/Major
Boston University, Brown, Holy Cross, Loyola Marymount University, University
of Massachusetts, University of Michigan, Vanderbilt, Villanova / Psychology
Parents: Richard and Laurette Harris
Emily K. Schmitt
Royal High School
GPA: 4.54
School Activities
National Honor Society; CSF; Math Honor Society (president); Math Club
(president); Spanish Club (vice president); Soccer (4 years)
Simi Valley Youth Council; Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District
(volunteer); tutor (math)
College/Major
UC San Diego, UC Davis / Biomedical Engineering, Undecided
Parents: Vicki and Gerald Schmitt
Grant G. Pitt
Royal High School
GPA: 4.43
School Activities
Marching Band (drum major); Jazz Band (frst chair); Concert Band (frst
chair); Mock Trial; CSF (president); National Honor Society; Ventura County
Honor Band
Pirates of Penzance(percussion, 2014); Cabaret(drumset, 2013 at
Camarillo Skyway Playhouse); Gold Coast Wind Ensemble (percussionist)
College/Major
University of Florida, University of Alabama, Clemson, UCLA, Georgia Institute of
Technology, Texas A&M, University of South Carolina / Mechanical Engineering
Parents: Jerry and Andrea Pitt
Leopoldo A. Albea
Santa Clara High School
GPA: 4.33
School Activities
Student Ambassador (president); Senior Class President; SC Cadets (lead petty
ofcer); Competitive Academics Team (captain); Cross Country; Tennis Team;
Daily News (director)
St. Joseph the Worker (Confrmation teacher, altar server, usher, lector)
College/Major
UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UC Davis / Bioengineering, Biology
Parents: Maria Lourdes Albea and Leopoldo Albea Sr.
12
Star Scholar
Awards
Jefrey R. Lopez
Santa Paula High School
GPA: 4.63
School Activities
Soccer (4 years, won 2 Tri-Valley League Championships); CSF (4 years);
Health & Nutrition Club
Saint Sebastian Elementary School (volunteer tutor); Faulkner Farm Pumpkin
Patch (volunteer, 2 years); youth boys soccer club (assistant coach)
College/Major
Harvard, UCLA, UCSB, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine / Biology, Biomedical Sciences
Parents: Rosaura and Carlos Lopez
Yahaira L. Valencia
Santa Paula High School
GPA: 4.65
School Activities
Track & Field; National Honor Society; CSF; Key Club; Human Services
Academy, ROP (nursing assistant)
Big Brothers Big Sisters (mentor/tutor); AYSO (assistant coach); Heritage
Valley Eye Care (intern); Michael Sparkuhl MD (intern); Bedell Book Fair
(volunteer); Santa Paula Beautiful (volunteer); Head Start preschool
(volunteer)
College/Major
UC Irvine, CSU Fullerton, CSU Long Beach, CSUCI / Nursing
Parents: Carlos and Norma Valencia
Paul R. Hufman
Santa Susana High School
GPA: 4.32
School Activities
CSF; Key Club; Interact
Tutor; homeless shelter (volunteer); community events
College/Major
Brown, Stanford, Swarthmore, UC Berkeley, Haverford College / International
Business
Parents: Fiel and Nicholas Hufman
Serena Lee
GPA: 4.37
School Activities
Health Occupations Students of America (founder/president); CSF (vice
president, president); Interact (secretary); Key Club (secretary); Abbe Road A
Cappella
CSF (Peer Tutoring Program); Simi Valley Hospital (volunteer); Rancho Simi
Recreation and Park District; Music N Motion; Teachers Assistant; piano
instructor
College/Major
Pending: UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC, UC San Diego, UC Davis / Biological Sciences
Parents: Janice and Alex Lee
Eric Zhou
GPA: 4.4
School Activities
Gavel Club (founder/president); Stock Market Club; Santa Su Sackers
(emperor)
Student peer tutor; Interact (fag bearer)
College/Major
Howard, Stanford, Princeton / Physics
Parents: Yuhua Meng and Ping Zhou
Melissa J. Gonzalez
Simi Valley High School
GPA: 4.21
School Activities
Concert Orchestra (violist); Cross Country (captain); Track & Field (captain);
National Honor Society (president); CSF (vice president); Medical Health
Academy
Free Clinic of Simi Valley (junior volunteer); Tech Trek (junior counselor)
College/Major
Applied to: UC San Diego, Boston University, Georgetown / Neurobiology,
Neuroscience
Parents: Maria and Jesus Gonzalez
VCS1336188
13
Star Scholar
Awards
Davis I. Negrete
GPA: 3.98
School Activities
Football (co-captain); Track & Field
Interact (volunteer in the community by raising money for local schools,
cleaning up parks, etc.); Ventura County Fire Cadet program
College/Major
Cal Poly SLO / Forestry
Parents: Rockwell and Wendy Negrete
Aashal Patel
GPA: 4.63
School Activities
Tennis Team (4 years); CSF (president); Key Club (treasurer)
Simi Valley Hospital (volunteer, over 100 hours); Rancho Simi Recreation and
Park District (clerical work, 5 years); Forever Angels (3-week experience in an
orphanage)
College/Major
UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine / Biology, Economics
Parents: Jalpa and Jiten Patel
Michael S. Pfaf
St. Bonaventure High School
GPA: 4.2
School Activities
Golf (captain); ASB (secretary); Knowledge Bowl; school broadcast
Homeless shelter (volunteer); Special Olympics (golf event volunteer); St.
Catherines by the Sea Convent (volunteer yard work); Surfrider Foundation
(beach cleanup)
College/Major
Pending: UC Riverside, UCSB, USC, Stanford / Petroleum Engineering,
Chemical Engineering
Parents: Michael and Mary Pfaf
Nathaniel J. Medina
St. Bonaventure High School
GPA: 4.2
School Activities
ASB (4 years, president); Saint Bonaventure Film Society (founder/president);
Tennis Team (4 years, captain); Mock Trial (3 years); National Honor Society;
CSF
Relay for Life (4 years, co-captain, 2011 PlatinumTeam); KIWINS (vice
president); FOOD Share (volunteer); tutor
College/Major
USC, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Chapman University, Loyola Marymount University /
Film Production, Marketing, Business Administration
Parents: Joseph and Arisela Medina
Anasazi V. Levy
The Thacher School
GPA: 4.32
School Activities
Spring Musical (writer, director, choreographer, 1 year); Fall Play and Winter
Musical (4 years); Dance (3 years); Chamber Singers (Alto 1, 3 years); JV
Soccer (3 years)
Dorm Prefect (1 year); Senior Leadership (1 year)
College/Major
Undecided / Communications
Parents: Evan and Laura Levy
Paige A. Rosenberg
Thousand Oaks High School
GPA: 4.4
School Activities
Pay it Forward Club (president,
vice president, 3 years); Key Club
(publicist); Girl Up (2 years);
Volleyball (3 years, undefeated for 2
years); CSF; National Honor Society
(3 years); Link Crew (3 years)
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles
Centennial Teen Guild; Sole
Train Organization (co-founder/
president); Los Robles Hospital
(foater volunteer); St. Jude Church
(Confrmation leader)
College/Major
UCLA, UCSB, USC, UC Berkeley, UC
San Diego, Emory, Boston College,
Chapman University, Cal Poly SLO,
UC Davis, UC Irvine, University of
San Diego, University of Oregon /
Environmental Studies
Parents: Melanie and Mitchell
Local
Sponsor
www.toaks.org/
amgentourofcalifornia
General Race
Information
May 18, 2014
8 am-Noon
Thousand Oaks is
the nal stage of
this world class
cycling event
Finish line located
on Townsgate
Road (in front of
Gelsons Market)
Live Broadcast
on NBC from
10am to Noon
VCS1336627
14
Star Scholar
Awards
Laura Sylvers
GPA: 4.6
School Activities
ASB (president); Yearbook (photo editor); Link Crew; Writing Majors; Girl Up;
CSF; National Honor Society
Camp Kinneret (assistant counselor)
College/Major
Boston University, Brown, Columbia, Duke, George Washington University,
Georgetown, NYU, Princeton, Vanderbilt, Yale / Political Science
Parents: Rachel and Steve
Jed W. McGuigan
GPA: 4.68
School Activities
Scientifc research; Science Club; Middle School Outreach Program; AP
Photography; Japanese Club; Chinese Culture Club; Interact; Varsity Tennis
(captain)
Thousand Oaks Youth Commission (Youth Recognition Awards chair);
Thousand Oaks Teen Center Advisory Committee (chair); Holy Trinity (student
tutor); USA Mens U-20 Field Hockey (National Team); Field Hockey (umpire)
College/Major
UC Berkeley / Bioengineering
Parents: William and Jane McGuigan
Elijah H. Cohen
Trinity Pacifc Christian School
GPA: 4.3
School Activities
Mock Trial; JV Basketball; Student Council; World Afairs Club; Science Club;
Jive Club; Strategy Games Club; Valedictorian
Operation Christmas Child; Childrens Hunger Fund; Valley Christian Athletics
Association (youth umpire); Community Theater (Fiddler on the Roof)
College/Major
Wheaton College, Biola University, Cedarville University, Grove City College /
Intercultural Studies, Theology, Philosophy
Parents: Michael and Lisa Cohen
Leah A. Monica
Ventura County Christian School
GPA: 4.0
School Activities
ASB (president); Yearbook Committee (head); worship leader; school
newspaper (journalist)
Kids ministry teacher and worship leader at church; Wholyft (gold-certifed
instructor)
College/Major
Westmont College, Pepperdine / Liberal Studies, Education
Parents: Chris and Laura Monica
Madeleine F. Schreifels
Ventura High School
GPA: 4.74
School Activities
Drama (dance captain; performed inBye Bye Birdie,The Odd Coupleand
Once Upon a Mattress); Key Club (president, 2 years)
Ventura Unifed School District Show Choir (choreographer under the
direction of Heidi House)
College/Major
UC Irvine, CSU Long Beach / Dance, Kinesiology
Parents: Patrick and Karmen Schreifels
Matthew J. Goodkin-Gold
Ventura High School
GPA: 4.67
School Activities
What Improv Troupe (co-captain); National Honor Society (president); Debate
Club (founding member); Knowledge Bowl; CSF
Ventura Improv Co. (performer and musical accompanist); The Special Guests
(lead singer and guitarist, band performs at many community fundraisers);
Straight Up VC (youth spokesperson, director/actor)
College/Major
Harvard, UC Berkeley, USC / Economics, Mathematics
Parents: Susan Goodkin and David Gold
Emma C. Ginchereau
Ventura High School
GPA: 4.62
School Activities
Wind Ensemble (principal player); Knowledge Bowl; National Honor Society;
CSF; Debate Club
Harmony Project, Robotics
College/Major
UC Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz, Smith College, Brown, Amherst, Lewis & Clark
College / Undecided
Parents: JP and Anne Ginchereau
Liliana A. Torres
Villanova Preparatory High School
GPA: 4.38
School Activities
ASB (treasurer); Student Ambassador; Clare Boothe Luce Program (president);
National Honor Society (treasurer); CSF; Spanish National Honor Society
Kaiser Permanente (junior volunteer); Santa Clara Parish Soup Kitchen;
Campus Ministry
College/Major
UCLA, UC Davis, USC, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, UCSB, UC Berkeley / Biology,
Biochemistry
Parents: Marinor Isidoro-Torres and Juan Torres
Congratulations to all
of our Star Scholars!
15
Star Scholar
Awards
Cynthia Yin
Westlake High School
GPA: 4.84
School Activities
Physics/Robotics Club (president); Math Club (president); CSF (president);
Science Olympiad Team; Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society; Varsity Golf;
Homecoming Princess
UCLA lab volunteer (research included macroscale patterns, cancer treatment,
cytoskeletal integrity, biomolecule delivery); National Honor Society; piano
College/Major
Stanford, MIT, Caltech, UC Berkeley / Engineering
Parents: Hsiuli and Mengyen Yin
Amanda M. Shi
GPA: 4.86
School Activities
Varsity Tennis; National Art Honors Society; Science Olympiad Team, Women
in Science and Engineering; American Red Cross; Literary Chronicles; CSF;
National Honor Society
Scientifc research; National High School Journal of Science; Thousand Oaks
Youth Commission; Los Robles Hospital (volunteer); tutor
College/Major
Columbia, Dartmouth, Washington University in St. Louis, USC, UC Berkeley /
Biology, Public Health
Parents: Licheng Shi and Li Zhang
Monica M. Shi
GPA: 4.86
School Activities
Women in Science and Engineering; American Red Cross; Science Olympiad
Team; Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society; National Art Honors Society;
Literary Chronicles; CSF; Varsity Tennis
National High School Journal of Science (peer reviewer); Givology
(development associate); USC (research intern); Johns Hopkins (research
intern); Thousand Oaks Youth Commissioner; tutor (math); freelance artist
College/Major
Columbia, Dartmouth, Cornell, Washington University in St. Louis, USC, UC
Berkeley / Biomedical Engineering
Parents: Licheng Shi and Li Zhang
Staking our childrens future
is one of the best investments
we can make.
Todays student leaders are Ventura Countys leaders of
tomorrow. Thats why the Ventura County Community
Foundations Scholarship Fund for Ventura County
annually awards nancial aid to top students at every
high school in the county.
Businesses, individuals, foundations and nonprots give
generously to the Scholarship Fund for Ventura County at
VCCF, which awards nancial aid to the students honored
in the Ventura County Star Scholars program.
By harnessing donations from the community, VCCF
stewards 100 scholarship funds and looks forward to
awarding $1.3 million in nancial aid this spring.
Want to learn more about VCCF scholarships?
To start a scholarship at VCCF or to donate to the
Scholarship Fund for Ventura County, contact Lindsay
Smith at lsmith@vccf.org or (805) 988-0196, Ext. 115.
THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND FOR VENTURA COUNTY
VCCF has beencertiedincompliance withnational standards by the Council
onFoundations, the highest formof peer reviewinthe UnitedStates.
VENTURA COUNTY
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Investing Together. For Good. For Ever.
Ventura County Community Foundation
VCCF Nonprot Center
4001 Mission Oaks Blvd., Suite A
Camarillo, CA 93012
Tel: 805.988.0196, Ext. 115
www.vccf.org/scholarship
Your donation can make 2014 the year we award the biggest
scholarship in Star Scholars history to each deserving student.
VCS1336182
2014 JULIUS GIUS
SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
AASHAL
PATEL
SIMI VALLEYHIGHSCHOOL
The Ventura County Star congratulates Aashal Patel of
Simi Valley High School for winning the 2014 Julius Gius
Scholarship of $5,000. Julius Gius was the editor and
guiding hand of the Ventura Star-Free Press from 1960 to
1988. His devotion and contributions to Ventura County
and its residents lasted until his death. It is our hope that
his legacy will live on through this memorial scholarship.
VCS1336179

Star Scholar - April 23, 2014

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Star Scholar - April 23, 2014

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Star Scholar - April 23, 2014

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

31ST ANNUAL

You might also like