2021 Les Miller Scholarship Program Recipients

ORANGE COAST COLLEGE 

Kai Xuan Gan

GPA - 4.0
School Activities- 
Secretary, OCC Honors Student Council, Secretary, OCC Psi Beta Honors Society, Secretary, OCC Inter-Club Council, Student Representative, Instructional Planning Council, Student Representative, Student Services Planning Council, Student Representative, Foundation Scholarship Committee, OCC Honors Program Certification, Robert B. Moore Outstanding Student Leader Award Recipient, Donald A. Ackley Memorial Scholarship Recipient, Second Place (Poster Presentation), OCC Giles T. Brown Symposium
College Plans:
I am planning to attend UCLA as a Psychology major with my educational goal of embarking on the research in Psychology. I hope to raise public awareness on mental disorders, and to improve community’s psychological well-being in term of mental health.

VANGUARD UNIVERSITY

Joe Contreras

GPA - 3.5
School Activities-  
SGA Freshman Senator, SGA VP of Finance and Policy, SGA President, VU Rec Intramural Official
Community:
OC First Assembly of God, Youth Leader and Volunteer, Pacifica Christian HS, Public Address announcer and play by play commentator
College Plans:
I am considering careers in sports broadcasting, ministry, organizational development, or education. I will be taking a gap year academically to get a better pulse on what career I want to pursue first.             

EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL 

       Andrew Spallone

GPA - 4.0

     School Activities:

ASB for 4 years - Community Service Club for 2 years (9th and 10th) - Guitar Class for 2 years (9th and 10th) - SALT Club for 2 years (10th and 11th) - Physics Club (11th grade) - PTSA (All 4 years)

                       Community:                      

Kids Games (11th and 12th), Ambassador Leadership Summit (9th Grade), Envision Engineering Camp (10th Grade), Power One (12th Grade), Early College High School as a Teacher’s Assistant (11th),  National Honors Society as a Tutor (10th and 11th), Beach Cleanups along with other community upkeep projects, Southern California PGA Junior (9th grade), Surf City Marathon; virtual ones since (11th and 12th)

College Plans:

Attend USD
Major:
Civil Engineering with a specialization in environmental engineering
Prospective Career: Civil Engineer
 

Melissa Trisna

GPA - 3.96

School Activities:
Key Club/Community Service Club, Interact Club, International Festival (at previous high school), Varsity Women’s Tennis Team (at previous high school), Technology Student Association (at previous high school), National Honor Society,  Environmental Club, Dance, AVID
Community:
A Home 4 Ever Pet Rescue, Museum of Life and Science, Mother Teresa Catholic Church, Children Coordinator for Indonesian Bible Study, Catholic Heart Work Camp, Assistant Tennis Coach at TGA Premier Sports, Girls Inc. of Orange County
College Plans:
Attend UCLA
Major: Civil Engineering with a specialization in environmental engineering
Prospective Career: Civil Engineer

MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL
 

Jaya Mayne

GPA - 3.64

School Activities/Honors:
Principal’s Honor Roll, Pony Club certified to C2 level, trainer at Sabo Eventing, student position at Next Level Eventing, Kris Belford Ferguson Memorial Award recipient
Community:
Teaching eventing barn competitor lessons to youth, interning for Tamie Smith Eventing Center, fundraising for horse riding events, coaching young riders through Pony Club, certified rider and trainer
College Plans:
Continue to compete in horseback riding, be a mentor to younger riders, and earn a position on developing rider teams to one day compete at the olympics.

Matthew Kalihi Sereno
GPA - 3.94
School Activities- 
Emergency Medical Technician, Orange Coast College, Honors in Action Event Coordinator, Phi Theta Kappa Chapter, Internationally Distinguished Chapter Member, Phi Theta Kappa, Co-Chair of Internationally Distinguished Honors in Action Project, Phi Theta Kappa, Student Leader Award Recipient, Waltmar Foundation Award Recipient, Phi Theta Kappa Chapter Scholarship Recipient, President, Phi Theta Kappa, Co-Chair of Academic Development, Psi Beta, Certified Tutor, Orange Coast College, Second Place (Poster Presentation), OCC Giles T. Brown Research Symposium, Research Presenter, UCI’s California Community College Research Symposium, Research Presenter, Western Psychological Association’s 2021 Annual Convention, President of Internationally-Distinguished Chapter Officer Team Award, Phi Theta Kappa, President of Internationally-Distinguished Chapter Award, Phi Theta Kappa, President of Top 100-ranking Chapter Among all International Chapters Award, Phi Theta Kappa, 2nd All California Academic Team, Phi Theta Kappa, OCC Garrison Fellow
Community:
Volunteered as a basic life support provider for CARE Ambulance Services at the Orange County Marathon and the Fountain Valley Emergency Room, Boys and Girls Club of Santa Ana Pumpkin Drive, Phi Theta Kappa Book Drives, Coast Day, Pirate Involvement Fair, and Senior Day (Phi Theta Kappa and Research Journal Club at Orange Coast College), Note Taker for Disabled Students Programs and Services, Bylaw review for Phi Theta Kappa and Psi Beta, Tutor of Writing, Introduction to Psychology, Elementary Spanish, Biopsychology, Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences, History of the United States Before 1876, Critical Thinking in Philosophy, Honors American Government, and Abnormal Psychology at Orange Coast College's Student Success Center
College Plans:
I will attend University of California, Irvine (UCI) in the Fall of 2021 as a Psychological Science Major. Thereafter, I hope to become a clinical psychologist and/or research scientist, and/or professor, and/or a legal/forensic/business consultant by earning a Master's in Clinical/Personality/Social Psychology followed by Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology or a Psy.D. I also hope to have a family, and I imagine that I will need to omit some of those and/or to get that one done.

 Jasmine Soto

GPA - 3.957
School Activities- 
 Frontline Leader, University Library,Psi Chi Honor Society, Awarded Presidential Scholarship
Community:
Train new library employees, Participated in Run for Mercy, VU Scholars Day, Able Club, El Puente Club
College Plans:
Currently, I am planning on taking a bit of time off from school and focusing full time on my ministry at church. However, I do plan on entering into a graduate program at Fuller when I am ready to do so. The program I am currently interested in the most is the PhD program Fuller Seminary offers although I have also thought about the Psy.D. program from Biola University as well. For now, though, I will placing all of my effort and energy into what the Lord has given me at my church and seeing what He’ll do through me the rest of this year.                    

Benjamin Moscoso

GPA - 3.96

School Activities:
ASB House Commissioner (10th grade), SALT Club Student Leader (11th grade), Film Club Vice President (12th grade), Principal's Honor Roll (9th-12th grade), Citizenship Award (9th-11th grade), California Scholarship Federation (10th-12th grade), Student of the Year, U.S. History (11th grade)
Community:
- Worship Leader at The Crossing Church (10th-12th grade)
College Plans:
Attend Chapman University
Major: Double Major in Journalism (or Broadcast Journalism at Chapman) and Marketing Prospective Career: Marketing Manager and a part time job as a professional film critic

Paulina Enriquez Vazquez

GPA - 4.0

School Activities:
Community Service Club (partnership between Key Club and Rotary Club) - 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, PTSA - 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, Make-A-Wish Club - 9th, Guitar class - 9th, ASB - 10th, 11th, 12th, Physics Club - 11th
Community:
California Elementary School as a Teacher’s Assistant - 9th, Mesa-Verde Library as an Assistant - 9th, Summer Recreation On Campus for Kids (ROCKS) as a Recreational Leader in Training (RLIT) - 10th, Summer Engineering Academy at Rea Elementary as a Teacher’s Assistant - 10th, Girls Inc. of OC (Grad Lab and Generation Giga Girls) - 11th & 12th, Save Our Youth (SOY) - 11th & 12th, Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project (CLYLP) - 11th, Early College High School as a Teacher’s Assistant - 11th, National Honors Society as a Tutor - 12th
College Plans:
Attend UCSD
Major:
Speech and Language Services
Prospective Career: Speech-Language Pathologist

Alexia Leal
GPA - 4.2381

School Activities:
- Freshman Year: Science Fair, Football Club, Fitness Club, Work Service at a senior home (in Belize)
- Sophomore Year: Work Service with the Hands in Hands Ministry organization (in Belize)
- Senior Year: Mock Trial (Defense Attorney)
Community:
Church Youth Group, Youth Bible Camp, Teacher's Assistant for Children's Church, Church Choir, Teen Helper for Vacation Bible School
College Plans:
My post-graduation plans are to attend a 4-year university (still deciding on which one).

Cassy Paul
GPA - 4.3

Hartley Tran
GPA - 4.5806

School Activities:
MESA Day Competition, OCC Math Meet, Key Club, Varsity tennis
Community:
Youth Science Fellowship Program at UCI Cancer Research Institute, USTA Team Tennis
College Plans:
Most likely going to attend UCI. Plan to double major in computer science and applied math. Plan to study further for a master's degree in CS

Jared Alonzo 
GPA - 4.2581

School Activities:
MESA: 
Solar Cup Boat Team, CMHS Tennis Team, Asian Culture Club: 
Community:
Key's Closet, MESA Award, Key Club Community Service Events
College Plans:
My post-graduation plan is to attend University of California, Irvine (UCI), major in aerospace engineering.
 

Nathan Vuong
GPA - 4.3889 
School Activities:
Marching Band, Jazz Band, Key Club, Boys Basketball, Boys Volleyball, Track and Field
Community:
Key Club related events (DCM, OTC, etc.), Kelly's Closet
College Plans:
Go to OCC for one year then transfer to a four year university.

Fernando Mendoza
GPA - 4.194

School Activities: 
Varsity Volleyball letter, Chapman Presidential Scholarship, Cal Grant, AP Scholar with Honor Award
Community:
Altar Serving at St. John the Baptist, helping out at CMHS smART Camp, helped setting up CMHS Día De Los Muertos party
College Plans: 
To go to a 4 year and study to become an athletic trainer.
 

ESTANCIA 

Anika Scott
GPA - 4.43
School Activities-  
Girls Estancia Soccer, Club Soccer, Girls Volleyball, Australia Club, HOSA, Leo's Club, Lyceum, Link Crew, WASC, CSF
Community-
Referee Soccer matches, Elite Goalkeeping Academy Coach, Scoreboard boys and girls volleyball at EHS, trash pick up, food drives, Volunteer at middle schools/elementary, babysitting
College Plans:
Attend UCLA majoring in Pre-Human Biology and Society 

Casandra Corrigan
GPA - 4.16
School Activities-
EHS Volleyball, Water Polo, Swimming and Softball teams, a member of Girls Empowering Girls Club, Link Crew Leader for two years
Community: 
Volunteer at Church's vacation Bible school and my barn's horse camp. I love to make a difference in kid's lives and make sure they have fun!
College Plans:
Attending Pepperdine University and majoring in Psychology

Isabel Kehoe
GPA - 4.44
School Activities-  
Leo's Club Treasurer, Leo's Club Vice President, Art Club Publicist, Orchestra Concert Master, Captain of EHS Tennis team, Team Captain of JV Swim Team, Link Crew Leaser, CSF President (senior year)
Community: 
Volunteering at Saint Joachim Parish, Leo's Club. Outside Activities: Lions Club International Student Speaker Contest, Babysitting
College Plans
I plan on attending UCLA as a Business Economics major. I hope to become a lawyer in the future

Natalie Spas
GPA - 4.44

School Activities-  
I have received Principal’s Honor Roll every semester since freshman year, as well as the Scholar Athlete Awards. I was also awarded membership of the National Society of Leadership and Success my senior year. I also placed first in the Orange Coast League for 300m hurdles my sophomore year. I have been treasurer of Key Club since my junior year
Community-
I volunteered at Hoag Hospital throughout my junior and senior year. I also volunteered at a Japanese elementary school. I assisted in planning the Kelly’s closet event my junior year and have also participated in community service projects through Key Club
College Plans:
I still have not decided between attending university on the East Coast for Journalism or abroad in Japan for Architecture

Ryan Ray
GPA - 4.30
School Activities-
Estancia Engineering Pathway, Robotics Club, UCI Energy Invitational (Electric Car Competition), Volleyball, Basketball, Australia Club, FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes)
Community:
World Robot Olympiad Volunteer Judge and Referee at the USA Championships, Balboa Bay Club Volleyball, 3 years, Mariner’s Church group and volunteer leader for Vacation Bible School, Mariner’s Church sound, lighting tech, and live video camera operator for 5,000-person multimedia production, Assistant in Middle School Robotics classes, Competitive Kart Racing 
College Plans:
Future plans include college, UCSD or University of Utah. Focus on mechanical and aeronautical engineering

Alexis Litvak
GPA - 4.4333

School Activities:
Varsity Softball (4 years), National Honors Society (3 years), Gay Straight Alliance (3 years)
Community:
Girl Scouts: volunteered at Second Harvest Food Bank, helped organize and run a weekend camp and other events for younger Girl Scouts, 100+ hours of community service.
College Plans:
Attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for Architectural Engineering

Catherine Pham
GPA - 4.4375

School Activities:
National Honor Society Treasurer, Asian Culture Club President, Space Club Publicist, 2019-2020 Student Board Representative
Community:
Volunteered at Qoheleth Ministries’ Feed the Hungry, Club Volleyball, represented CMHS at NMUSD board meetings
College Plans:
Go to University and study biology

Heyward Bradford
GPA - 4.2857

School Activities:
Marching Band/Advanced Band, Jazz Band, Drumline, Theatre Pit Orchestra, Theatre Tech, National Honor Society, Key Club, JV Volleyball, Track and Field, Lettuce Club
Community:
California Leadership Academy, Chapman University Honor Band Festival
College Plans:
Attend a four-year university as a Communications major and persue a career in public relations or advertising

Jasmine Diaz
GPA - 4.5172

School Activities:
Dance team four years, G. Volleyball four years, ACC, NHS, space club
Community:
Volunteer at qoheleth ministries, volunteer for the volleyball program, tutor children (2019-), 7 Leaves Cafe employee (2020-)
College Plans:
Study Molecular and cellular biology

Luka Gogorishvili
GPA - 4.5758

 School Activities:
Founder and president of Esports club at CMHS, member of Key Club, member of Mountain Biking Club.
Community:
UCI FAB Camp, Johns Hopkins Summer Medical Intensive Program, University of Michigan Biotechnology Camp, OCC Spanish Dual-Enrollment, University Lab Partners Molecular Biology Lab Techniques Program; Medical Innovation, Research, and Entrepreneurship Program.
College Plans:
Attend a 4-year university, currently UCLA, and major in molecular biology or similar, following up with a Ph.D. After that, go into biotechnology to find possible cures for some diseases.

Britney Ebergenyi
GPA - 4.40
School Activities:
Student Board Member, Officer in ARK Club, Captain of Color Guard, Principal's Honor Roll, Simon Scholar
Community:
4 years with Big Brothers/Big Sisters - mentoring elementary schoolers
College Plans:
Plan on attending UC, Irvine as a biology major in pursuit of a medical career

Crystal Arellano
GPA - 4.12
School Activities-
Principal's honor roll, oc scholar athlete, coach’s award soccer, second team, OC All League, ROP Student of the Quarter
Community-
Track and Field scoring, CDI volunteer/internship, Club soccer, Indoor soccer league, TeWinkle community service, zoom community service
College Plans:
I have committed to Texas Christian University, where I will be majoring in business and minoring in communications

Leiani Dang
GPA - 4.22
School Activities- 
Captain of the Volleyball Team (for two years), awarded Offensive Player of the Year for Volleyball.
Community:
CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), Peer Court, Volleyball scoreboard, 2 jobs (PacSun and Pipeline), CPR Certified, babysitting
College Plans:
I plan on attending UC, Irvine or UC, Santa Barbara as a Biology major. I hope to also attend medical school and become a pediatrician
 

Renee Raines
GPA - 4.28
School Activities-
Honor Roll all 4 years, MVP Volleyball 2019, MVP Swim 2018, ROP Student of the Quarter, ROP Distinguished Student
Community-
Volunteered at a local Elementary School
College Plans:
Undecided on which college to attend, but will major in Health Sciences
 

.

Samantha Alcala
GPA - 4.21
School Activities- 
Cross Country, track and field and cheer
Community: 
Altar server, karate, Big Brothers, Big Sisters Mentorship program
College Plans:
Attending UC Santa Cruz and majoring in Computer Science

Blake Wolf
GPA - 4.3667

School Activities:
9th Grade - Principal Academic Honor Roll, Scholar Athlete
10th Grade - Principal Academic Honor Roll, Scholar Athlete
11th Grade - California Boys State Nominee (Covid Cancelled), Varsity Basketball Coaches Award, ASB School Service Award, Engineering department award, Principal Academic Honor Roll, Scholar Athlete, College Board AP Scholar Award, Varsity Basketball Captain
12th Grade - Principal Academic Honor Roll, Scholar Athlete, Varsity Basketball Captain
Community:
9th Grade - Youth Group: Mariners HSM, Northcutt Elementary Volunteer
10th Grade - Youth Group, Northcutt Elementary Volunteer, NHS Community Service Projects, ASB Community Service Projects
11th Grade - Youth Group, Beast Up Athletics Basketball Coach , Northcutt Elementary Volunteer, NHS Community Service Projects, ASB Community Service Projects
12th Grade - Beast Up Athletics Basketball Coach, Northcutt Elementary Volunteer, No Place For Hate Club

College Plans:
After graduation, I plan on attending a four-year university and studying mechanical engineering.

Dylan Oliver
GPA - 4.4516

School Activities:
National Junior Honor Society (9th Grade), Delta Program (9-12), Co-founder and Treasurer of Keepin It Reel Club (10-11 Grade), ACE ( Architecture, construction, managing, and engineering) Mentoring Program (10th-12th Grade), National Honor Society (11-12 Grade), ASB Junior Class Vice President (11th Grade), STEM Club (12th Grade), ASB Treasurer (12th Grade).

Community:
Total Logged Comunity Service Hours: 138
Community Service: 9th Grade- Football Fair Parking, Volleyball SMART Camp, Davis Pilot Cup Coaching, CMHS Campus Clean-Up, Football Equipment Hours, Davis Valentines Dance, Kids Church events for Easter and Christmas. 10th Grade-Davis Pilot Cup Coaching, Football Fair Parking, Chargers Water, Volleyball Fair Parking, Football Equipment Hours, Davis Clean Up, Kids Church events. 11th Grade- NMUSD Beach Clean Up, Davis Clean Up, Kids Sunday School Events, Football Equipment Hours, Delta Fair Parking, Football Fair Parking.
College Plans:
I plan to attend a 4-year university and will be majoring in Civil and Environmental Engineering

 

Hollis Welling
GPA - 4.3889

 School Activities:
Varsity Dance Team, Drama, Space Club, School Site Council
Community:
Big Brothers Big Sisters, National Honors Society
College Plans:
Attend Mount Holyoke College and anticipating majoring in Economics or International Relations  

Landon Stein
GPA - 4.333

School Activities:
Marching Band, Volleyball, Track and Field, Drumline, Jazz Band
Community:
Food Drives, Large Trash Pickup, Impulse Drum and Bugle Corps, Beach Cleanups
College Plans:
Go to a four year university

Nikolai Downs
GPA - 4.4516

School Activities:
VEX and Linkbot robotics, Track, cross country, National honors society, space club,
Community:
Used car salesman at Track Motors, volunteer for Katrina Foley campaign, community volunteering and fundraisers through Newport Mesa church
College Plans:
Attending a four year college in California for computer engineering

Carter Gruebel
GPA - 4.34
School Activities- 
I was president of the robotics club and co-president of the engineering club
Community-
I volunteered at California Elementary School's Annual Halloween Hoot. I also work at Sprout's Farmers Market
College Plans:
I plan to attend UC, Santa Cruz and major in Computer Science. From there I would like to work for a company such as Blizzard Entertainment or EA

Guadalupe Olivares Mendoza
GPA - 4.31
School Activities- 
Lyceum Academy, Key Club, Track and Field, Soccer
Community-
Girls Inc.
College Plans:
Attend UCLA
 

Mila Tran
GPA - 4.53
School Activities- 
Vice President of Key Club, Lyceum, Best Budies, Link Crew Leader, Principal's Honor Roll, Student of the Quarter for Chemistry and AP US History
Community:
Ronald McDonald Family Room Charity - raised $500 for charity
College Plans:
Attending UC, Berkeley in the College of Letters and Science

Robert Graham
GPA - 4.37

School Activities- 
Principals Honor Roll, Student of the Quarter for French 3, CSF, Link Crew Leader, Australia Club, Varsity Basketball (Captain 12th grade), Volleyball 1 year, PTSA member
Community-
Community Service - worked shot clock in basketball game, CERT training, camp counselor at summer camp, worked at car dealership
College Plans:
Major in Business at Cal Poly, SLL
 

Valeria Zecua
GPA - 4.28
School Activities-
President and Treasurer of the Acts of Random Kindness Club, Secretary of Key Club, Simon Scholar Scholarship Recipient, Scholar Advisor for EHS Simon Scholars, Communications Committee: Journalism subcommittee intern, Link Crew Leader
Community:
 Caregiver for children at the Crossing Church, Tutor after school in the library, Server at Special Education dances
College Plans:
I plan to attend a 4-year University. I am in the process of deciding which one. I will be majoring in Linguistics/Language Science in order to enter a Master's Program for Speech and Language Pathology