AZUSA, Calif. — Six local students have been accepted into the Azusa Pacific Nancy Moore/Celebrate Azusa Citizens Scholarship program. The program provides aide to Azusa residents pursuing an education at APU, while assisting them in college transition and promoting continued community involvement. Students accepted receive a $5,000 scholarship renewable for four years.
“We are very excited about the incoming scholars,” said Jenny Elsey, associate director of ministry and service. “They are a group of bright, talented students who will contribute a lot to the city of Azusa, the APU community, and the scholarship program. As the program continues to grow, we are excited to see how the leadership of all our scholars will add to the vibrancy of the local community.”
The 2011-12 scholars include: Seleni Alcantar, Emily Ayala, Linda Cornell, Maria Marin, Koral Valdez, and Shasteen Velasquez.
- Seleni Alcantar is an Azusa High School graduate and a transfer student from Citrus College. During high school, she was actively involved in marching band and volunteered at the Neighbor Homework House.
- Emily Ayala is a graduate of Gladstone High School. She spent time volunteering at the Neighbor Homework House and Our Neighborhood Summer Splash, and was also involved in Azusa Youth Against Smoking (AYAS.)
- Linda Cornell, a Gladstone High School graduate, was involved in Interact Club, LINK Crew, and Spanish Club. She also served as editor-in-chief of the yearbook, and was a volunteer at Think Together and the Food Bank.
- Maria Marin, a Gladstone High School graduate, was involved in LINK Crew and Spanish Club. She also volunteered at Think Together and St. Frances of Rome.
- Koral Valdez is a graduate of Gladstone High School, where she played on the varsity volleyball and soccer teams. She was also involved in the Interact Club, volunteered with the Food Bank, and participated in Hands Across Azusa.
- Shasteen Velasquez is an Azusa High School graduate and a transfer student from Citrus College. She has been involved with both drumline and color guard.
About the Program:
Twelve years ago, then Azusa City Council member 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) graduates and Citrus College transfers from the Azusa Unified School District have become eligible. In order to participate in the program, recipients must participate in leadership development, maintain a 2.8 G.P.A., and commit to serving the Azusa community.
