ANITA CHANANA KATHERINE HILL AMBER NEUKUM
ABIRAMI RAJASEGARAN ALEX RENIRIE PHOEBE SCHMIDT
The 2010 Scholarship RecipientsRadiating beneath their youthful exteriors, six deeply rooted old souls rose to the top. They appear indisputably removed from any pre-teen or teenage type cast “you owe me!” or “I wanted it yesterday!” Each of the young ladies sincerely vow if given an opportunity for a higher education, they would use everything gained to assist others. BWSF board member Wendy Nicholas observes, “These girls are beyond themselves.”
ANITA CHANANA from Richmond was ten years old when she took her first college class. She received special recognition from Vista High School for graduating at the age of 13. Joseph Ledbetter, Chemistry Professor at Contra Costa College in San Pablo, shares “Anita has all the attributes that one wants to see from a medical doctor and her mature enthusiasm will overcome her young age.” With generous parents that had to forgo school in an effort to “work to survive”, Anita gives thanks to her parents for teaching her that you can lose everything you have, but you can never lose your education. The first in her family to attend college, she hopes to be a role model for her cousins, and her hereditary Latin American and Afghanistan communities. Financial challenges and medical hardships had her family moving frequently in hopes of a less expensive place to live. Now she hopes to afford the stability and medical education (emphasis in Toxicology) that UC Berkeley will offer.
KATHERINE HILL from Clayton will be attending Sonoma State University. In and out of remission with multiple auto-immune diseases, Katie states her struggles have affected her in a positive way. A flawless academic record, co-captain on the varsity tennis team, Northern California Honor Band (just to name a few triumphs) clearly shows her tenacity – particularly when having to take extra precautions or work harder to achieve her goals. Mundy Viar, Director of Clayton Valley HS Band, remarks “Katie’s musical creativity is far beyond common for most teenagers; particularly her musical improvisation in the jazz and blues idioms. Also, she is humble.” Volunteering to aid all ages from youth to elders with various organizations (especially those impoverished) sparked her interest in becoming an Explorer with the Clayton Police Department. All the while striving for academic excellence and volunteering endless hours to cultivate the skills to contribute to the mission of helping others.
AMBER NEUKUM from Danville will be attending San Diego State to participate in nursing school. Best noted for her focus on the needs of others, Amber is cited with numerous examples of outreach activities. She can be viewed on www.youtube.com/scolilove where thousands have watched her informational video sharing her personal journey though scoliosis. Counselor Melissa Bergstedt from San Ramon Valley High School states, “Amber easily stands out in her class with her strong academic record, dazzling personality and amazing work ethic. But even beyond all of that, Amber stands out in my mind the most for her natural leadership abilities.” Being awarded “Most Inspirational” last year for her efforts in the Youth and Government program at SRVHS embodies her willingness to go above and beyond for the better good of those around her. Amber with her aspirations to save the world is clearly noted in her request for financial support. The abundant opportunities - matching her endless humanitarian interests - should be granted to one so willing and capable.
ABIRAMI RAJASEGARAN from Walnut Creek will be attending Tulane with the intention to follow-on with medical school. Abi is a lifelong Girl Scout who used scouting as a springboard into American culture and immersing herself into the community via volunteerism. Her earliest memories of growing up in Malaysia and a near deadly car accident involving her younger brother have fueled her passion for medicine. Respecting her Indian culture, she remains a dutiful daughter proud of her heritage and enjoys Traditional Indian Dance. Her educational transcripts from Los Lomas High School speak for themselves. Her Math Teacher, Janice Lund shares, “Abi is also a warm and endearing student. She captivates everyone with her energy and intellectual prowess.” While volunteering at John Muir Medical Center, her honors and distinctions continue to accumulate including AP Scholars of Distinction, Girl Scouts Gold Award, Secretary Key Club, and Tulane’s Top Ten Distinguished Students Award.
ALEX RENIRI from Walnut Creek will be attending nontraditional Hampshire College and designing her own major. Self motivated, Alex wants to make the most of her education. “I plan on designing a major that includes peace & conflict studies, anthropology, sociology, psychology and philosophy. “ Actively trying to help end global rights abuse, Alex is “the first and only high school student selected for an internship” by Sara Schmidt, Regional Field Organizer of Amnesty International. Alex’s teachers state she has led the Human Rights Club at Los Lomas through awareness campaigns re: human trafficking, child soldiers, and torture. Vigilant of the vast number of issues, she is also mindful of working harder to be a kinder and wiser individual. As a personal goal to feel “connected”, Alex has been exposed to several religions. She deeply respects the Buddhist practice of living in the moment, acknowledging the active role we can take by improving ourselves. Her mother, Sarah Wood, echoes her daughter’s sentiment while discussing raising such a selfless, mature and kind person. “I have always felt focusing on what you admire most about your child will bring those qualities to the surface.”
PHOEBE SCHMIDT from Miramonte High School in Orinda began striving for excellence at a young age. The Rocket Readers project she created for her Girl Scout Gold Award involved recruiting friends as volunteers to be “reading buddies” with children from transitional homes. It instilled a lifelong desire to encourage others to create a positive change in the lives of people - similar to what she had accomplished with the kids living at Shelter, Inc. Her academic records mirror her high standards with community service. Phoebe spends an extra class period to participate as one of the presidents of her school’s Mock Trail and Speaking Teams. Her passion for mathematics and engineering are simply the building blocks for a career that she hopes will provide more hands-on opportunities to assist others. Recently Phoebe attended a training class and raised enough money to join Amigos de las Americas. She reflects, “I didn’t realize at the time that I would gain two new families: one Panamanian and other comprised of volunteers from across the country.” Phoebe is the recipient of several awards including the Bronze President’s Volunteer Service Award and the California Scholarship Federation.
The 2010 Scholarship RecipientsRadiating beneath their youthful exteriors, six deeply rooted old souls rose to the top. They appear indisputably removed from any pre-teen or teenage type cast “you owe me!” or “I wanted it yesterday!” Each of the young ladies sincerely vow if given an opportunity for a higher education, they would use everything gained to assist others. BWSF board member Wendy Nicholas observes, “These girls are beyond themselves.”
ANITA CHANANA from Richmond was ten years old when she took her first college class. She received special recognition from Vista High School for graduating at the age of 13. Joseph Ledbetter, Chemistry Professor at Contra Costa College in San Pablo, shares “Anita has all the attributes that one wants to see from a medical doctor and her mature enthusiasm will overcome her young age.” With generous parents that had to forgo school in an effort to “work to survive”, Anita gives thanks to her parents for teaching her that you can lose everything you have, but you can never lose your education. The first in her family to attend college, she hopes to be a role model for her cousins, and her hereditary Latin American and Afghanistan communities. Financial challenges and medical hardships had her family moving frequently in hopes of a less expensive place to live. Now she hopes to afford the stability and medical education (emphasis in Toxicology) that UC Berkeley will offer.
KATHERINE HILL from Clayton will be attending Sonoma State University. In and out of remission with multiple auto-immune diseases, Katie states her struggles have affected her in a positive way. A flawless academic record, co-captain on the varsity tennis team, Northern California Honor Band (just to name a few triumphs) clearly shows her tenacity – particularly when having to take extra precautions or work harder to achieve her goals. Mundy Viar, Director of Clayton Valley HS Band, remarks “Katie’s musical creativity is far beyond common for most teenagers; particularly her musical improvisation in the jazz and blues idioms. Also, she is humble.” Volunteering to aid all ages from youth to elders with various organizations (especially those impoverished) sparked her interest in becoming an Explorer with the Clayton Police Department. All the while striving for academic excellence and volunteering endless hours to cultivate the skills to contribute to the mission of helping others.
AMBER NEUKUM from Danville will be attending San Diego State to participate in nursing school. Best noted for her focus on the needs of others, Amber is cited with numerous examples of outreach activities. She can be viewed on www.youtube.com/scolilove where thousands have watched her informational video sharing her personal journey though scoliosis. Counselor Melissa Bergstedt from San Ramon Valley High School states, “Amber easily stands out in her class with her strong academic record, dazzling personality and amazing work ethic. But even beyond all of that, Amber stands out in my mind the most for her natural leadership abilities.” Being awarded “Most Inspirational” last year for her efforts in the Youth and Government program at SRVHS embodies her willingness to go above and beyond for the better good of those around her. Amber with her aspirations to save the world is clearly noted in her request for financial support. The abundant opportunities - matching her endless humanitarian interests - should be granted to one so willing and capable.
ABIRAMI RAJASEGARAN from Walnut Creek will be attending Tulane with the intention to follow-on with medical school. Abi is a lifelong Girl Scout who used scouting as a springboard into American culture and immersing herself into the community via volunteerism. Her earliest memories of growing up in Malaysia and a near deadly car accident involving her younger brother have fueled her passion for medicine. Respecting her Indian culture, she remains a dutiful daughter proud of her heritage and enjoys Traditional Indian Dance. Her educational transcripts from Los Lomas High School speak for themselves. Her Math Teacher, Janice Lund shares, “Abi is also a warm and endearing student. She captivates everyone with her energy and intellectual prowess.” While volunteering at John Muir Medical Center, her honors and distinctions continue to accumulate including AP Scholars of Distinction, Girl Scouts Gold Award, Secretary Key Club, and Tulane’s Top Ten Distinguished Students Award.
ALEX RENIRI from Walnut Creek will be attending nontraditional Hampshire College and designing her own major. Self motivated, Alex wants to make the most of her education. “I plan on designing a major that includes peace & conflict studies, anthropology, sociology, psychology and philosophy. “ Actively trying to help end global rights abuse, Alex is “the first and only high school student selected for an internship” by Sara Schmidt, Regional Field Organizer of Amnesty International. Alex’s teachers state she has led the Human Rights Club at Los Lomas through awareness campaigns re: human trafficking, child soldiers, and torture. Vigilant of the vast number of issues, she is also mindful of working harder to be a kinder and wiser individual. As a personal goal to feel “connected”, Alex has been exposed to several religions. She deeply respects the Buddhist practice of living in the moment, acknowledging the active role we can take by improving ourselves. Her mother, Sarah Wood, echoes her daughter’s sentiment while discussing raising such a selfless, mature and kind person. “I have always felt focusing on what you admire most about your child will bring those qualities to the surface.”
PHOEBE SCHMIDT from Miramonte High School in Orinda began striving for excellence at a young age. The Rocket Readers project she created for her Girl Scout Gold Award involved recruiting friends as volunteers to be “reading buddies” with children from transitional homes. It instilled a lifelong desire to encourage others to create a positive change in the lives of people - similar to what she had accomplished with the kids living at Shelter, Inc. Her academic records mirror her high standards with community service. Phoebe spends an extra class period to participate as one of the presidents of her school’s Mock Trail and Speaking Teams. Her passion for mathematics and engineering are simply the building blocks for a career that she hopes will provide more hands-on opportunities to assist others. Recently Phoebe attended a training class and raised enough money to join Amigos de las Americas. She reflects, “I didn’t realize at the time that I would gain two new families: one Panamanian and other comprised of volunteers from across the country.” Phoebe is the recipient of several awards including the Bronze President’s Volunteer Service Award and the California Scholarship Federation.