Scholarships
2024 Scholarships Recipients
Our 2024 winners with Laura DeSoto from the Alumni Association
Thank you to everyone who donated, so that our 2024 Scholarship program was able to support the career dreams of an inspiring group of students who worked hard in their classes, stood out to their teachers and classmates, and gave back to our community. You can put YOUR name or group on one of our future Scholarships, to find out how, read below!
2024 Named Sponsors:
The Class of 1967
The Elliott Family
The 2023 Homecoming Sponsors
Bruce Lymburn & Linda Kelly
The Seager Family
Irene Turner
The Westling Family
Other 2024 Donors:
Grads from the 1990s
Madeline & Murphy Malouf
The Marshall Family
Patrick and Alicia McCalla
The Robinson Family
Raun Thorp
Dr. John Vierling
The Wrighton Family
Special thanks to the 2024 Scholarship Selection Committee: Trent Casillas, Laura DeSoto, Sue Lindsey, Sara Joyce Robinson, Maria Seager, and Nora Seager!
Sponsored by Bruce Lymburn
and Linda Kelly
"I am pleased on your decision to award me with a scholarship. I am very grateful because it will help me go and fulfill my educational dream. Not only that, but it will give me a chance to better my family’s living conditions. Thank you so much and I promise I won’t disappoint.”
Alberto Chavez
Alberto Chavez, Class of 2024, continued his education at UC Merced to study Mechanical Engineering so he can help build a better future for his community. At NHHS, he was known for his leadership skills and was active in AVID, the Green Team, the Latinos Unidos club, Language
Ambassadors, and the Orchestra. Working 10 hours each week, he helped financially support his family. He stood out as a leader at the Shalimar Learning Center and Save Our Youth, where he worked with local city council members to renovate the Shalimar playground to make it safer and more accessible.
Sponsored by the 2023 Homecoming Sponsors
"Thank you so much for rewarding me with a scholarship and for supporting me! I am grateful for the opportunity you have given me. I am excited to continue my education with a significant lift from the financial burden. Thank you!!!”
Joyce De Quiros
Joyce De Quiros, Class of 2024, was inspired by her computer science teacher, Mr. Bulone and Junior Year Mentor to pursue Data Science at UC Santa Barbara to help others through a better understanding of important information. A 4-year student in computer science CTE courses, she
served as an OC Pathways Ambassador. In 2023 she won the Congressional District 48’s contest
with her app Impact that made it easier for students to access news. As President of the CMB.it club, she designed websites for the Culinary and athletic teams, competed in the Spin Up VEX robotics competition and Lockheed Martin’s prestigious Codequest.
Krystal Garcilazo
Krystal Garcilazo, Class of 2024, was motivated by the sacrifices of her parents to become a Radiology Technologist at OCC to help people on their health journey by providing quality
testing. A proud first-generation American who was known for her resilience and dedication, she
enjoyed organizing events with the Latinos Unidos club and volunteering with the Lions Club carnival. To get hands-on experience, she took ROP classes in both Baking and Emergency
Medical Care where she learned CPR and best practices for patients to set herself up for success
in her chosen career.
Sponsored by the Seager Family
Anthony Gomez
Anthony Gomez, Class of 2024, chose to study Business Administration at Cal Poly SLO after helping with the family business alongside his hard-working parents. He pursued this passion by starting his own car detailing business with a fellow student. They excelled and were hired to prepare vintage cars for competition and earned a Best in Show award. An active AVID student and player on the NHHS soccer team, he also stood out as a Language Ambassador and as a
participant in the Financial Partners Credit Union Student Leadership Program. He volunteered
at his church and coached a soccer team for his elementary school.
Sponsored by the Alumni
General Fund
Sophie Helsinger
Sophie Helsinger, Class of 2024, excelled in her Theater and Art classes so she was honored as Arts Student of the Year. Her keen eye for design and fascination with interesting aesthetics led
her to the Pacific Northwest College of Art at Willamette University. While challenging herself
with honors courses, she received real world experience in an intensive summer program in her
chosen field, served in leadership in the Drama Club, and held a part-time job. Appreciated for her kindness and responsibility, she explored many art forms including large scale paintings, stop-gap animation, cartooning, and puppetry.
Sponsored by the 2023 Homecoming Sponsors
“Thank you for choosing me ...This scholarship means a lot to me, not only because it will be a big help but because it comes from my home, home of the Sailors. I truly feel honored and will always proud to represent the Sailors. Thank you for supporting me in my educational journey and helping me get a step closer to my dream career."
Yoshiry Moreno-Monroy
Yoshiry Moreno-Monroy, Class of 2024, was inspired by family members in the medical field to pursue Biology at Cal State Fullerton. Her goal was to become a nurse so that she can give back to the community by helping others in their time of need. At NHHS she loved to challenge herself in her AVID and advanced classes and worked hard to meet the challenge. A cheerful
member of the Latinos Unidos and Green Team clubs, she enjoyed getting out of her comfort zone by volunteering at a local Soup Kitchen where she pushed herself and became an important leader of the team.
Sponsored by the Class of 1967
Mikel Reinhard
Mikel Reinhard, Class of 2024, took the leadership skills he honed at NHHS to Cal Poly SLO to study Business and Econ to open his own restaurant one day. Fascinated by many subjects, he played Lacrosse, studied abroad in Spain, was a Language Ambassador, and part of Mock Trial and Latinos Unidos. Honored by Boys State and the College Board’s National Hispanic
Recognition Program, he volunteered with Project Kidz Connect at Whittier Elementary and worked his way from dish washer to line cook at VACA restaurant. His senior year, he started a mentorship program for recent immigrants to help them academically, socially, and emotionally.
Sponsored by the Alumni
General Fund
“I want to thank the Alumni Association from the bottom of my heart for choosing me as a scholarship recipient this year. It is an honor to have received this, and I believe what you do in giving scholarships is truly such an act of kindness. Huge thank you. Full of gratitude."
Yasmeen Rodriguez
Yasmeen Rodriguez, Class of 2024, proudly achieved her goal of attending Cal State Fullerton to study Studio Art and Animation and share her creativity with the world. She earned over 200
volunteer hours at Someone Cares Soup Kitchen where she was recognized for her dedication and attention to detail. An Honor Roll and AVID student, she took a CTE course in Digital Arts
to learn the design programs to help her future career. Motivated by the unwavering support of
her immigrant parents, she was thrilled to be the first in her family to attend college and determined to make them and NHHS proud.
Sponsored by Irene Turner
“Thank you so much for this scholarship. My family and I truly appreciate it, and thanks to this help I am able to go to a 4 year university to one day become a nurse.”
Leslie Sotelo Palma
Leslie Sotelo Palma, Class of 2024, received real world experience through the Certified Nursing
Assistant internship program and the CTE Child Development class. This hands-on learning
helped her decide to become a pediatric nurse and study Biology at Cal State LA. An excellent AVID student, she appreciated her parents’ determination in migrating to America to create a better life. Known for her charisma and quiet confidence, she volunteered at the Palm Terrace Rehabilitation Center on her way to earning her CNA at age 17. With this certification, she was hired at a facility as a caregiver for children with autism.
Sponsored by the Alumni
General Fund
Vanessa Van Vliet
Vanessa Van Vliet, Class of 2024, followed her lifelong love of art to OCC for Graphic Design to take advantage of all the opportunities offered there. She excelled in TarTv and her CTE Film classes, where she was quick to learn the necessary programs to be a Special Projects Producer for the Grandparents Day video, “Dancing with the Staff” intro shorts, and filming and editing live performances on campus. Appreciated for her professionalism and reliability, she did freelance work for Runnersapce.com which prepared her for a career in the field of film graphic design.
Sponsored by the Elliot Family
Olivia White
Olivia White, Class of 2024, moved on to the University of Oklahoma to study Nursing. Inspired by her experience on mission trips and the Teen Project charity that helps women out of unsafe circumstances, she chose a career focused on helping others not herself. She attended UCI’s
Summer Nursing School and got certified by the American Heart Association in Basic Life Support. A member of the NHHS tennis and golf teams, she served as a leader in the Fellowship
of Christian Athletes, Blaze it Forward, and the LINK Crew where she mentored freshmen to welcome them during their first year in high school.