Scholarships
2025 Scholarships Recipients
Our 2025 winners with Laura DeSoto from the Alumni Association
Thank you to everyone who donated, so that our 2025 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!
2025 Named Sponsors:
In Memory of Jeff Bauer
The Class of 2004
The Elliott Family
Bruce Lymburn & Linda Kelly
In Honor of Diane Shoffner Toedter
Irene Turner
Homecoming Sponsors
Our Anonymous Angel
Sponsored by Bruce Lymburn and Linda Kelly
Selah Beatty
Selah Beatty, Class of 2025, was motivated by her desire to serve others to study Biology at Vanguard University to work toward a career in the medical field. Encouraged by her family's faith-centered teachings, she stood out as a leader in athletics as goalie for the Lacrosse team and Captain for Wrestling. She continued on to compete in Division II Wrestling at the collegiate level. As a top wrestler, she enjoyed challenging sports stereotypes and looked forward to empowering younger female athletes in the future. Appreciated for her kindness and determination by her classmates, she set her eyes on a life where she can help those around her.
Sponsored by the Class of 2004
Pierce Brown
Pierce Brown, Class of 2025, moved on to CSU Long Beach to study Nursing to spend his life working with a team and assisting those in search of healing. Dedicated to keeping local beaches and parks clean, he picked up trash every weekend since he was 12 with Helping OC and other clean-up events. A focused Honor student, he participated in the award-winning Culinary program, taught children soccer skills, and worked on the Galleon yearbook staff. Valued for his humility and compassion, he played an essential role on the soccer team when they won the CIF Championship and served as Captain in his senior year.
Sponsored in Honor of Diane
Shoffner Toedter
Lindsey Carrera
Lindsey Carrera, Class of 2025, was inspired by her own excellent teachers to pursue a career in Elementary Education at Chapman College. Her goal was to support children in the classroom and in real life in order to share the valuable lessons her teachers offered her. To get started, she returned to her elementary school each week to tutor students and assist teachers. At NHHS she loved to challenge herself in her AVID and advanced classes and participated in the Junior Mentor Program. A cheerful member of the Bridges program and LINK Crew, she enjoyed working as a leader to make everyone feel included on campus.
Sponsored by Irene Turner
Rylie Fairchild
Class of 2025, followed in the footsteps of her favorite fifth-grade teacher to encourage the next generation to fall in love with learning by studying Secondary Education at Michigan State. A hard worker, she got a part-time job during her freshman year to save for college and took over 60 credits at Coastline College in addition to her rigorous AP high school classes. She enjoyed organizing events with the LINK Crew and Bridges clubs, and volunteering with the Elks Club and at her church. Appreciated for her fortitude and resilience, she supported her teammates as captain of the Basketball team.
Sponsored by an Anonymous Angel
"I just wanted to give you a big thank you for awarding me this scholarship! This means a lot to me and will help with my higher education. I aspire that someday I will be able to help other students in my community like the Association did for me. Thank you!"
Magdalena Garcia Ramirez
Magdalena Garcia Ramirez, Class of 2025, was moved by the sacrifices of her parents to help others as either a nurse or primary educator at OCC. Because she understood the importance of education as a first-generation American, she pushed herself in college prep and AVID classes. To begin her career in service to others, she volunteered at the OC Public Library and with the LINK Crew. At NHHS, she was an active member of the Latinos Unidos club and worked as a Language Ambassador to pay it forward to those who assisted her family when they were in need.
Sponsored by Bruce Lymburn and Linda Kelly
Brian Garcilaso
Class of 2025, received real world experience through the after-school ROP program in Construction Technology where he learned from experts and assisted in the construction of a mini-house from the ground up. This hands-on learning helped him decide to study Electrical Technology at Irvine Valley College to put his problem-solving skills to good use. An excellent AVID student, he worked part-time to contribute toward his family’s expenses. Known for his sense of purpose and maturity, he volunteered at a local soup kitchen and hopes to one day use his technical skills to assist those in need.
Sponsored in Memory of Jeff Bauer
Asa Goff
Asa Goff, Class of 2025, studied Business Administration at Vanguard University to build a better future for his family. At NHHS, he honed his skills in the Culinary program all four years and was known for creating a positive environment that helped everyone succeed. He pushed himself academically with AP and IB classes, and athletically on the Wrestling team surprising even himself. Inspired by his father’s dedication and support, he encouraged his wrestling teammates as Captain, succeeded in his own matches, and continued to compete in Division II Wrestling in college.
Sponsored by an Anonymous Angel
Jacob Kemppainen
Jacob Kemppainen, Class of 2025, excelled on the staff of the Galleon yearbook for three years where his eye for photography and organization skills was put to good use. His interest in starting his own clothing brand after college led him to study Business at OCC. He expanded his knowledge with a CTE course in Auto Technology, and worked at the ENC, as a counselor at Elvenstar Orange County, and with veteran groups. Appreciated for his compassion and commitment to his goals, he served as the Photography Editor for the yearbook and was inspired by the teamwork that went into creating an award-winning memory.
Sponsored by the Elliot Family
"I am deeply grateful for the generous support through this scholarship. This opportunity has removed some of the financial burden of my education and inspired me to work harder toward my goals. Thank you for believing in students like me. This generosity is truly life-changing."
Caleb Takamori
Caleb Takamori, Class of 2025, took the skills he honed at NHHS to UCSB to study the fundamentals of business to build a prosperous future for his family. He challenged himself in his AVID, Honors and AP courses, while maintaining the highest grades, and was proud to be the first in his family to go to college. An active member of the LINK Crew and Bridges program, he served as a great example to his younger siblings and volunteered at his elementary school. Known for his empathy and reliability, he especially loved offering Senior photos to classmates who could not otherwise afford them with the Photography Club.
Sponsored in Memory of Jeff Bauer
Kaleb Wood
Kaleb Wood, Class of 2025, took what he learned on a humanitarian trip to El Salvador as inspiration to pursue Physics at UCLA to develop sustainable infrastructure for under-resourced communities. A 4-year member of the Surf team, he took the lead as Captain and brought the team together through community-building activities and a return trip to El Salvador to distribute water filters with the One Atta Time non-profit. As co-President of the Surfrider Club, he organized beach clean-ups to reduce ocean pollution. Motivated by his family’s values of resilience and service, he excelled in his college-level classes, volunteered with the Friendship Circle OC and Connect Dance Co, and committed himself to bettering the world.
Sponsored by the 2024 Homecoming Sponsors
"I am incredibly grateful to have been chosen as one of your scholarship recipients. Your support has helped make my dream of attending a four year university come true. This opportunity will help me focus on my education and future goals. One day I hope to give back and help other students in need. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Fatima Ramirez
Class of 2025, proudly achieved her goal of attending UC Santa Cruz to study Neuroscience to better understand the brain to help others through their mental health struggles. She volunteered teaching children at the ENC and as a Language Ambassador. A great teammate in the Basketball and Flag Football programs, she enjoyed her time in AVID, LINK Crew, the Latinos Unidos and Bridges clubs, and the ASB Wellness Committee. Passionate and determined, she worked to secure funds to join the International STEM Field Study programs, traveling first to Iceland and then Japan, to experience even more of the world.
Sponsored in Memory of Jeff Bauer
"Receiving the NHHS Alumni Scholarship meant more than financial support—it represented the opportunity to fully participate in my academics, extracurricular activities, and school-sponsored
programs. The scholarship gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities that have contributed
to both my personal and professional growth during my first year at USC."
Kimberly Sales
Kimberly Sales, Class of 2025, continued her education at USC to study Real Estate Finance & Development because of her passion for affordable housing for hard-working, first-generation families like her own. She challenged herself with AP and IB courses, played Basketball, and added to school spirit in ASB. A natural and positive leader, she stood out in her CTE Business track and caught the eye of the founder of Yoki’s Garden when he brought his initiative for social entrepreneurship and sustainability to NHHS. She led 40 students and raised $200k to turn unused oranges into locally sourced juice for sale and built a program that will continue educating students in business practices after she graduates.