Schools

Scholarships Awarded to 216 Graduating Murrieta Seniors

Private, community and school group donations enabled the Murrieta High Schools' Scholarship Foundation to award 216 scholarships this year.

Murrieta High Schools' Scholarship Foundation presented 216 high school seniors with $170,888 in scholarships at the 19th Annual Awards Ceremony held Monday.

Each qualified student received a minimum $250 scholarship, funds for which were collected throughout the year from private donors, school groups and local business and organizations.

Scholarships were based on academic achievement, accomplishments, involvement and merit. Seniors had to have a minimum 3.5 GPA to apply.

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Murrieta Valley High School senior Guicheng Ariel Tan, who came to the United States from China six years ago, was thrilled to be one of 10 students who received a $1,000 scholarship from the Temecula Valley Women's Club.

"Not only will this really help me at UCSD, it also helps me gain confidence and know that I am doing the right thing and people recognize it," Tan said.

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In addition to receiving scholarships from Temecula Valley Women's Club and the Temecula Assistance League, Victoria Parsons received four other scholarships.

"This means so much to me," Parsons said. "I'm just so flabbergasted and thankful!"

Like many of the 123 donors who attended the ceremony, Murrieta Valley High 2010 alumnus Dallas Moon and 2004 alumna Ashlee Moon Wilson said they both were past recipients of scholarships from the Foundation. They were there to "pay it forward" to this year's seniors.

Scholarships also came from teachers and their families, like Dorothy McElhinney Middle School teacher Carol Hernandez.

"When my kids graduated it meant so much to know someone believed in them and I am here to say the Hernandez family believes in you!" Hernandez said.

Each high school gave out scholarships from a number of student clubs, athletic booster clubs, staff members and parents.

Vista Murrieta High School Activities Director Mike Pattison gave out a scholarship named after Ron Stoeger, a custodian at the school through 2010. It went to two students who exemplified the school's motto of CLASS—Carly Matera and James Jesperson.

Both agreed receiving the scholarship meant a lot to them.

"He was such a great role model," Matera said. "To be able to grow up with him on campus makes this scholarship really meaningful."

Several memorial scholarships were given out including three scholarships in honor of Golden Bronco Fred Hanggi, an ardent fan who enjoyed attending Vista Murrieta athletic events.

Former Tovashal Elementary Principal Terry Olson was remembered as scholarships in her name went to five students.

After the ceremony, James Jesperson summed up his appreciation for the five scholarships he received.

"This is helping us to go to the college of our dreams," he said.

School board member and Scholarship Foundation President Robin Crist, expressed her gratitude before an audience of donors, students, parents and family members.

“Thanks to the generous donations of so many people and organizations we are able to come together as a community and recognize our young people."

To see a complete list of this year's donors, click here.

—Contributed by Karen Parris, spokesperson, Murrieta Valley Unified School District


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