California State University, Long Beach has awarded four-year scholarships to eight local high school valedictorians as part of the school’s President’s Scholars Program, it was recently announced.
“The President’s Scholars Program at Cal State Long Beach attracts some of the brightest and most academically talented high school graduates in California,” CSULB President Jane Close Conoley said in a statement.
According to Conoley, the extremely competitive program receives hundreds of applications a year, with only 25 students selected.
This year, 800 students applied statewide.
The eight students include:
Megan E. Calhoun of Long Beach—Calhoun graduated from Robert A. Millikan High School and chose to major in accounting.
Shannon Dow of Lakewood—Dow graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School and plans to study business administration with plans of going on to earn her MBA.
Russian Joe L. Galima of Long Beach—Galima graduated from Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo High School and plans to study biomedical and clinical engineering to prepare for a career in bioengineering.
Julia L. Jaynes of Long Beach—Jaynes graduated from Long Beach Poly High and declared a major in international studies, and one of her career goals is to become a foreign service officer.
Noah J. La Barba of Long Beach—La Barba graduated from Long Beach Poly High and will study aerospace engineering. He wants to be a designer for a major aerospace firm.
Jessica L. Lam of Long Beach—Lam graduated from Millikan High and plans to major in business administration with aspirations of becoming a chief financial officer. She would also like to earn her MBA.
Chelsea L. McFadyen of Long Beach—McFadyen graduated from Lakewood High School and plans to major in biology and becoming a science teacher.
Caroline R. Serrano of Long Beach—Serrano graduated from Woodrow Wilson Classical High School and plans to study psychology and child development with aspirations of becoming a child psychologist or counselor.
The full scholarships are worth $58,000, which cover tuition, student fees, provide an annual book stipend and paid housing in the campus residence halls for four years, according to a press release.
Students also receive priority registration, personalized advising, guaranteed acceptance to the University Honors Program and the opportunity for international study abroad.
“These academically talented students add a great deal to the stature of the university through their academic pursuits in research, academic competitions and other activities,” explained Valerie Bordeaux, director of the CSULB President’s Scholars Program. “They also perform thousands of hours of community service and are outstanding representatives of the university wherever they go.”
Eligibility for the program includes being a senior class valedictorian, ranked number one at their high school, a National Merit finalist or semi-finalist, a National Achievement Scholar or a National Hispanic Recognition Scholar, according to the release.