Twenty-eight of the 32 California high school students selected for the President’s Scholars program at CSULB for the 2017-18 academic year pose in front of the Walter Pyramid. Photo by Lalig Tarbinian.

California State University Long Beach continues to award full four-year scholarships to a select few highly accomplished California high school students under its President’s Scholars Program.

Of the coveted 32 selected for the 2017-2018 academic year, seven of the high school graduates are Long Beach and Lakewood residents: Kaylee Yap, Vanndearlyn Vong, Hannah Smith and Emily LaSalle from Millikan High School, Alexander Honeycutt from St. Anthony High School, Jao San Agustin from Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo High School, and Saira Monay from Jordan High School.

The President’s Scholars Program originated in 1995, in efforts to bring California’s scholastically outstanding individuals to the Long Beach campus. The recipients of the scholarship receive financial support in the form of individual award packages that may comprise a combination of one or more of the following: tuition waivers, campus housing allowances and subsidies for textbooks (or other essential course materials).

These students were chosen based on their qualifications as valedictorians or national scholars, and provided an exceptional financial aid package and academic experience.

• Kaylee Yap, daughter of Mary and Roy Yap, is from Lakewood and graduated from Millikan High School as valedictorian with a 4.42 GPA. She received a Science Medal of Merit, Presidential Education Award and was the National Honor Society vice president and cheer captain. She volunteered more than 200 hours at St. Mary Medical Center through the Junior Health Scholars program and her career goal is to be a Nurse Anesthetist.
• Vanndearlyn Vong, daughter of Chilynna Lo, is from Long Beach, a member of the Visions Club, French Club, FOCUS, ASB and received highest honors all four years. Her volunteer work included working with COMPASS Capstone, the Khmer Parent Association, the Cambodian Advocacy Leadership Institute and interning for the office of Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell. Yap has received an award for putting in more than 1,000 service hours, and plans to major in political science.
• Hannah Smith, daughter of Lisa and David Smith, is from Long Beach, graduated with a 4.59 GPA, was co-president of the National Honor Society, vice president of Quest Ambassadors, FOCUS leader, and participated in Youth Leadership Long Beach. Awards include AP Scholar with Distinction, California Scholarship Federation Life Membership, President’s Education Award, and QUEST Senior Scholarship. Her volunteer work includes Long Beach Memorial Hospital Child Life Volunteer and AYSO VIP Buddy, as well as organizing service projects through the National Honor Society. She plans to major in biology and her career goal is to be an Occupational Therapist.
• Emily LaSalle, daughter of Colleen LaSalle, is also from Long Beach, who participated in school musicals all four years. She was a member of the National Honor Society, QUEST Club, and an eight-year member of the Girl Scouts. Her honors include the Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award, Dramatic Allied Arts Guild scholarship, President’s Education Award, National Honor Society and AP Scholar with Honors. Her volunteer work includes serving as a national advocate for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, volunteer lobbyist on Capitol Hill, and served as a student teacher at Los Altos United Methodist Church. LaSalle plans to major in music education and one day serve as a congresswoman.
• Alexander Honeycutt, son of Bedelia and Charlie Honeycutt, is from Signal Hill and graduated with high honors from St. Anthony High School. Known for his years of working at community events, including activities and community cleanups, he was awarded 2014 Outstanding Youth Volunteer of the Year. He served as president of the 2016-2017 House Leaders Program, yearbook editor, received the St. Anthony Cardinal Levada Award, and was a member of the National Honor Society. As a volunteer, he filmed and photographed the City of Signal Hill’s 2016 Concerts in the Park and had an active role in the Signal Hill Police Foundation’s 2016 National Night Out event. Honeycutt plans to major in business marketing.
• Jao San Agustin, son of Joy and Jay San Agustin, is from Long Beach, graduated Cabrillo High School as valedictorian and plans to major in mechanical engineering. Awards include Long Beach Bar Foundation 2017 Scholarship Finalist, first place in AMC 12 school-wide math competition, member of the badminton team, named best singles player junior year and was on the Principal’s Honor Roll all four years. He volunteered his time in park clean-ups and canned food drives, tutoring, the Key Club’s anti-neonatal tetanus campaign with UNICEF, toy drives, tree-planting in Long Beach and as a poll worker for 2016 elections.
• Saira Monay, daughter of Socorro and Silverio Monay, from Long Beach, graduated valedictorian at Jordan High School. Her achievements include having earned an International Baccalaureate Diploma, Cecile Stephens Scholarships and was a member of the National Honor Society. She volunteered her time with the spcaLA animal shelter, tutoring middle school students, as a Link Crew Leader and member of the Key Club.

For more information about the President’s Scholars, visit the website here.