Scholarships
2022 Scholarships Recipients
“Receiving the Newport Harbor Alumni Senior Scholarship meant everything to me [because] money has always been a burden for us. When I received the news that I got accepted for this scholarship a weight lifted off my shoulders. So I'd like to give a big thank you to for supporting my dreams.”
Alecxa Ahumada
Alecxa Ahumada, Class of 2022, was thrilled to achieve her goal of being the first in her family to attend college at UC Riverside. Inspired by her hard-working mother, she was an outstanding AVID student on the Honor Roll almost every semester. She earned many volunteer hours by tutoring other students, at her church, and in a medical billing office. Her plans included studying Criminology and Psychology so that she can give back to her community by helping others make good choices.
“The Alumni Senior scholarship meant so much. Not only was it an opportunity that helped me achieve my dream of going to college and making my parents proud, but it also made me feel connected to my Newport Harbor. It gave me a sense of achievement. I was able to not stress so much about the financial aspect of school but was able to focus on my studies and being the best student that I could be.”
Alicia Airey
Alicia Airey, Class of 2022, continued her education at the University of La Verne to study Business and Criminology. An active student at NHHS, she enjoyed participating in TarTV, Link Crew, the Bridges club, and AVID where she was Student of the Semester. She devoted over 200 hours to Someone Cares Soup Kitchen, as well as helping younger children read at the OC Public Library. Motivated to help others, she wrote letters to elders through Letters to Rose and crocheted hats for patients suffering with cancer.
Orlit Colin Archundia
Orlit Colin Archundia, Class of 2022, took the skills she learned at NHHS to Vanguard University to study Nursing. Encouraged by her parents to be the first in her family to pursue higher education, she enrolled in challenging courses and the AVID program, and succeeded despite the complications of pandemic learning. Because of her dedication to all living creatures, she enjoyed her hours volunteering at Priceless Pets Animal Rescue and is committed to serving others in her future career.
Giselle Mejia
Giselle Mejia, Class of 2022, stood out at TarTV as a Director of the fall student film and worked on a professional teleplay as well as Health & Safety videos for the District. She followed her dreams to OCC’s Filmmaking program where she hoped to inspire other Latinos to share their voices in this exciting career path. Even as her family faced financial hardship during the pandemic, she nurtured her creative spirit at NHHS in Choir and Dance alongside her other college prep course.
Sherlin Mendiola
Sherlin Mendiola, Class of 2022, achieved her goal of attending UC Riverside for a BA and MA in Psychology to become a clinical psychologist to help others during their tough times. The first in her family to go to college, she shone in AVID, the Junior Mentor Program, and on the Cross-Country team. Despite her personal hardships, she faced each day with a smile as she volunteered at a soup kitchen, her church, and beach clean-ups. A member of Bridges and Latinos Unidos, she started her own club to be a safe space for those in need.
“I am so grateful for the NHHS Alumni Association, as the scholarship has allowed me to focus on my studies and fully engage in everything the college has to offer. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the support and trust you have placed in me. Knowing I have so many people believing in me, I am determined to make the most of my educational opportunity and strive for excellence.”
Emily Park
Emily Park, Class of 2022, was inspired by her volunteer work with the Surfrider Foundation to pursue Marine Biology and Zoology at the University of Hawaii Monoa. She loved to challenge herself, and became a second-degree black belt in taekwondo, as well as a competitive surfer where she was recognized as Women’s Longboarder of the Year. A talented writer, she gave back through SPAC, Surf & Serve, National Honors Society, and Red Cross blood drives, and lovingly cared for her grandfather with dementia.
Natalie Rodriguez
Natalie Rodriguez, Class of 2022, moved on to OCC with her eye on transferring to UC Irvine to study Criminology and Computer Science, and eventually working in law enforcement in CSI or as a 911 dispatcher. She was a stand-out in the Costa Mesa Police Explorer program and was quickly promoted through the ranks to the leadership position of Captain with over 1,500 hours of service. At NHHS she enjoyed her CTE course in computer programing and took demanding IB and AP courses to prepare herself for the future.
Keily Velasquez
Keily Velasquez, Class of 2022, received real world experience as part of her Junior year Mentor experience and decided to become a dentist by first studying Biology at CSU Fullerton. She appreciated the work ethic and positivity of her grandparents, and with their inspiration, gave back to her community as a tutor at the Costa Mesa Library and youth leader at her church. An excellent AVID student, she also guided the Latinos Unidos club at NHHS to celebrate her culture and connect with others on campus.
Ashley Wong
Ashley Wong, Class of 2022, succeeded in a rigorous course of AP and IB classes and went on to OCC for Film and Business Marketing with the goal of transferring to USC. A finalist for CTE Student of the Year, she excelled in TarTv where she learned to use industry-standard editing software and served as Executive Producer her senior year. Proud of her Indonesian heritage, she volunteered teaching younger children English and was also a leader of the Southeast Asians Learning English club to pay it forward.
Pete York
Pete York, Class of 2022, became fascinated with food when he caught his first fish as a child and pursued this passion at the Culinary Institute of America in New York. A CTE Medallion recipient and proud Eagle Scout, he stood out in NHHS’s culinary program on the competition team and in the FCCLA community service club. Also on the NHHS Swimming and Water Polo teams, he worked as a Lifeguard and in professional kitchens, and benefited from his Junior Mentor experience with a food photographer.