Each year, California State University Long Beach awards full four-year scholarships to a select number of California high school valedictorians and star students under its President’s Scholars Program. For the upcoming 2011-2012 school year, 26 seniors were chosen from an applicant pool of more than 700 students with nine receipients coming directly from Long Beach Unified School District.
“The President’s Scholars Program at Cal State Long Beach attracts some of the most academically talented students in California, and this year’s class in no exception,” said CSULB President F. King Alexander. “The program is extremely competitive.”
Among the incoming Long Beach President’s Scholars are two graduates from Millikan High School, two from Renaissance High School for the Arts, and one each from Cabrillo High School, Wilson Classical High School, Lakewood High School, Long Beach Polytechnic and Jordan High.
CSULB’s President’s Scholars Program was created in 1995 to bring California’s scholastically outstanding individuals to the Long Beach campus. Since its inception, more than 1,000 students have been selected for the program, which is recognized as the premier program of its kind in the state.
Below are brief profiles on each of the nine President’s Scholars from Long Beach as supplied by CSULB’s Media Relations Department:
Nicole Becker was a valedictorian in this year’s graduated class at Robert A. Millikan High School. The daughter of Debra Becker of Long Beach, Nichole is planning to major in chemical engineering at CSULB.
Deyanira Cedenjas was a valedictorian for the Class of 2012 at Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo High School. The daughter of Lillia Montoya of Long Beach, Deyanira has declared biology as her major, and her career goal is to become a pediatrition.
Meagan Meylor was a valedictorian for the Class of 2012 at Woodrow Wilson Classical High School. The daughter of Angela Meylor of Long Beach, Meagan has declared a major in journalism with hopes becoming a journalist or English professor.
Whitney Miller was a valedictorian for this year’s graduating class at the Renaissance High School for the Arts. The daughter of Wanda Miller of Long Beach, Whitney is looking to major in environmental science and policy at CSULB.
Alvaro Nunez was also a valedictorian for the Class of 2012 at Renaissance High for the Arts. The son of Maria Ramos of Long Beach, Alvaro is planning to major in business management and hopes to one day own his own business.
John-Michael O’Brien was a valedictorian for the Class of 2012 at Millikan High School. The son of Kevin and Draza O’Brien of Long Beach, John-Michael will be majoring in musical performance with his saxophone. He had three career interests—professional musician, composure for film and television or high school band director.
Michael Oscarson was a valedictorian for this year’s graduating class at Lakewood High School. The son of Malcolm Oscarson of Long Beach, Michael has declared a major in kinesiotherapy with an eventual career goal of becoming a physical therapist.
Abigal See was a valedictorian for the Class of 2012 at Long Beach Polytechnic High School.The daughter of Davie and April See of Long Beach, Abigal has chosen to major in civil engineering at CSULB.
Channika Xen was a valedictorian for this year’s graduating class at David Starr Jordan High School. The daughter of Southea and Sovannarin Keo of Long Beach, Channika is planning to major in biochemistry with an eventual career goal of becoming a pharmacist.