AZUSA, Calif. — Nine local students have been accepted into the Azusa Pacific’s Nancy Moore/Celebrate Azusa Citizens Scholarship Program, which aides local students pursuing an education at APU, while assisting them in college transition and promoting continued community involvement. Through this program students are eligible for a $5,000 scholarship. For the first time ever, the university increased the number of incoming freshmen selected for the program from seven to nine, the result of a record number of applicants.
The 2010-11 scholars include: Adrianne Camacho, Analiese Camacho, Lauren Ramirez, Marcela Aguilera, Maira Nava, Priscilla Ulloa, Sameer Sedam,, Stephanie Vasquez, and Steven Mercado.
Adrianne Camacho, age 17, an Azusa High School graduate, volunteered at St. Francis of Rome during her time at Azusa High. She was a varsity letterman in soccer and the president of the Spanish Club. She enters APU as an applied health major.
Analiese Camacho, age 17, an Azusa High School graduate, was a member of the varsity soccer team and the drama club. She also volunteered at Azusa Golden Days and at St. Francis of Rome. She enters APU as a journalism major.
Lauren Ramirez, age 18, an Azusa High School graduate, was a member of Azusa’s girl’s golf team. She also volunteered at St. Francis of Rome, was involved in Lead in Harmony, and AIDS Walk Los Angeles. She plans to major in social work.
Marcela Aguilera, age 17, a Gladstone High School graduate, is also a recipient of the Gates Millennium Scholarship. During her time at Gladstone she was a student council representative, President of the Spanish Club, as well as a Link Crew coordinator. She plans to major in nursing.
Maira Nava, age 18, an Azusa High School graduate, was involved in the French Club and Lead in Harmony. She also was a member of AVID and was apart of THINK Together. She plans to pursue a psychology major.
Priscilla Ulloa, age 17, an Azusa High School graduate, was a member of Azusa High’s drama club. She also volunteered at the Azusa Senior Center. She plans to major in social work.
Sameer Sedam, age 17, a Gladstone High School graduate, was a three-time varsity starter on the basketball team, as well a four-time varsity letterman in track in field, winning two league titles in his senior year. He was also a member of Gladstone’s Impact Club. He plans to major in marketing.
Stephanie Vasquez, age 18, an Azusa High School graduate, was involved with Azusa Rotary during her time at Azusa. She also volunteered at Foothill Middle School, and was a part of Lead in Harmony. She plans to pursue a liberal arts/education major.
Steven Mercado, age 17, a Gladstone High School graduate, was a member of Gladstone’s jazz band and a two-time varsity letterman on the boy’s varsity basketball team. He enters APU undeclared.
About the Program:
Twelve years ago, Azusa City Council member and then mayor pro-tem, Joe Rocha, approached Azusa Pacific administrators and suggested the university establish a scholarship program aimed at attracting seniors from Azusa and Gladstone high schools. The collaboration resulted in the university launching the Nancy Moore/Celebrate Azusa Citizens Scholarship Program in 2000. Since then, Sierra High (Azusa’s continuation high school), as well as Citrus College transfers from the Azusa Unified School District have been added. In order to remain in the program, recipients must participate in leadership development, maintain a 2.8 G.P.A., and commit to community service above and beyond university expectations.
