Scholarships
Introducing Our 2025 Scholarship Winners!
We are thrilled to recognize our amazing Scholarship winners from the Class of 2025. They are an inspiring group of students who worked hard in their classes, stood out to their teachers and classmates, and gave back to our community. In fact, they were so outstanding we gave a record-breaking TWELVE awards. We also offered a second year of support to our 2024 recipients to help them achieve their career goals.
Thank you to our Named Sponsors and other major Donors who helped make these gifts possible. We are so excited that every scholarship this year was sponsored by generous members of our Sailor family. We were especially moved by the outpouring of love in memory of Jeff Bauer Class of 1995 (see feature below).
Put your name or group on one of our 2026 Scholarships so we can continue to expand this program next year with your help!
Our 2025 winners with Laura DeSoto from the Alumni Association
2025 Named Sponsors:
The Class of 2004
In Memory of Jeff Bauer
The Elliott Family
Bruce Lymburn and Linda Kelly
In Honor of Diane Toedter Shoffner
Irene Turner
The 2024 Homecoming Sponsors
Our Anonymous Angel
2025 Other Sponsors:
Jeffrey Baker
Jason Cagle
Curtis Chapman
William L. Cooke
Frank C. Marshall
The McCunniff Family
Clarke Smith
Renaissance Charitable Foundation
2024 Named Sponsors:
The Class of 1967
Bruce Lymburn & Linda Kelly
The Elliot Family
The Seager Family
Irene Turner
The Westling Family
The 2023 Homecoming Sponsors
Featured Sponsor Story:
Jeff Bauer Class of 1995
We are deeply moved by the family, friends, and classmates of Jeff Bauer, Class of 1995, who came together in an inspiring show of generosity to honor his memory through a Scholarship fund in his name. For 2025, they raised enough for three gifts in his honor, and they look forward to making this an annual tradition with two gifts for the Class of 2026 already donated. We are incredibly grateful for this generous donation to help the career dreams of amazing NHHS students come true.
Known for his kindness and enthusiasm, Jeff loved his time in Newport-Mesa schools, and went all the way through Mariners, Ensign and Newport Harbor High School. He continued his education at Georgetown, where his adventurous spirit took him to Oxford for a summer program. In 2001, Jeff enrolled in the UCLA Anderson School of Management and again expanded his horizons by studying at the ESADE Business School's MBA program in Barcelona, Spain.
Jeff spent the next decade thriving while working at UTI Worldwide where he began as a project manager in Madrid in 2003 and by 2013 was Global Vice President. He decided to leave UTI in 2014 to follow his entrepreneurial spirit and co-founded the transformational outsourcing partnership company, Enshored, based in Manila, Philippines. As a managing partner, he helped other businesses get started in a successful, sustainable way. To share his experience with the next generation, Jeff served as an adjunct professor at Georgetown and a mentor at UCLA's Anderson School. He also volunteered his time with Camp Kesem, which provides recreational camps for children whose parents have cancer. He was taken too soon in October 2016 by a sudden illness.
With friends around the world, Jeff Bauer is remembered by his loved ones for his desire to explore, his sincere care for those around him, and his commitment to doing good work. We hope his example will inspire the students who receive the Scholarship in his name to take risks and dedicate themselves to helping others.
Sponsor an NHHS Alumni Scholarship
Help us pay it forward to the next generation of Sailors by sponsoring one of our Scholarships. For a donation of $3,000 (to cover $2,000 the first year, and $1,000 the second year), we will recognize your name on one of our awards. You can give individually, as a family, group, or Class year, or in honor of a classmate or teacher. **
So gather your Classmates, talk to your family members or teammates, and sponsor one of our
Alumni Scholarships to help a student from the Class of 2026.
There are TWO ways to give!
You can contribute directly through our Donate page:
Or you can start your own Campaign to bring together
your classmates, teammates, family and friends:
Click on "I want to fundraise for this" button when you get to the page
Questions? Email us at Info@NewportHarborAlumni.org
** The NHHS Alumni Association will oversee the application and selection process, determine the criteria for awards, and match one winner to each Sponsored Scholarship ($3,000 donation). We’re always looking for volunteers to help with the work of this project, so reach out if you’d like to be involved!
** If you have already given to our Scholarships and want to add to your donation to reach the Sponsorship level, use the Donation form or contact us.
** If you are interested in Sponsoring a Scholarship for more than one year, use the Donation form or contact us.
Our Scholarship program began in 2017 when we awarded two $1000 Scholarships (which prioritize students attending a community college, trade, technical, film, culinary or nursing school). Through the generosity of Newport Harbor High School alumni like you, we have been able to grow the program to offer two years of support and reach eleven students. Overall we have given away almost $200,000 to help the career dreams of these deserving students come true.
Donations of any size are greatly appreciated, so if you have $5, $50, or $500 to contribute to the next generation of Sailors, we’d be very grateful.
One of our 2022 recipients Emily Park wrote movingly about what this scholarship meant to her: “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.”
We’re proud to be a part of that community supporting her dreams. Your donation will help continue the long Sailor tradition of giving back, so please join us!
Thank you from Anthony Vasquez, Class of 2023
*Special thanks to the 2025 Scholarship Selection Committee: Trent Casillas, Laura DeSoto, Sara Robinson, Joyce Shepherd, Maria Seager, and Nora Seager
Our 2025 Recipients
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 Toedter Shoffner
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
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 Vanguard. 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 2024 Homecoming Sponsors
Fatima Ramirez
Class of 2025, proudly achieved her goal of attending CSU Long Beach 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
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.
Sponsored by the Elliot Family
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.