Keynote Speaker

Ken Jennings
K
en Jennings was born
in 1974 just outside
Seattle, Washington,
but grew up overseas.
His family spent 15
years in Korea and Singapore, where
his father worked as an attorney. His
only lifeline to American pop culture
during those years was TV on the
Armed Forces Network, where he
watched Jeopardy! religiously after
school every afternoon.
He moved back to the states to
attend the University of Washington
for a year, and after putting school
on hold for a two-year Mormon
mission to Madrid, Spain, transferred
to Brigham Young University in
1996. At BYU, he double-majored
in English and computer science
and graduated in 2000 alongside his
then-fiance Mindy Boam, whom he
married that fall.
While at BYU, Ken captained the
universitys academic competition team, which consistently finished in the
top 10 at national quiz bowl tournaments. Since graduating, he has worked
writing and editing questions for National Academic Quiz Tournaments, a
company that organizes quiz competitions attended by hundreds of colleges
and thousands of high schools nationwide. Ken also began to notice a parade
of his friends and acquaintances from the world of quiz bowl appearing on
game shows like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, where many were able to
pay off their student loans and buy flashy sports cars. With this in mind, Ken
began to revive his childhood dream of appearing onJeopardy!
He was working as a software engineer for a Salt Lake City healthcare
staffing company in 2004 when he got the phone call telling him that his
contestant audition had
been successful and he
would appear on a June
game of Jeopardy!
Much to his surprise,
KensJeopardy!appearance
extended beyond a single
game in June: he took advantage
of a recent rule change allowing
Jeopardy! champs to appear on
the show indefinitely, and spent
the next six months hogging
Americas TV screens. Before losing
on the Nov. 30 show because he
didnt know enough trivia about
H&R Block, Ken won 74 games
and $2.52 million, both American
game show records.
The streak made Ken Jennings
a 2004 TV folk hero, and he
appeared as a guest on shows from
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
and The Late Show with David
Letterman to Live with Regis
and Kelly and Sesame Street.
Barbara Walters named himone of
the 10 most fascinating people of
the year. Slate magazine dubbed
him the Michael Jordan of trivia,
the Seabiscuit of geekdom.ESPN: The
magazine called him smarmy (and) punchable, with the personality of a
hall monitor,thus continuing Americas long national struggle between jocks
and nerds.
Following his Jeopardy! streak, Kens product endorsements have
included FedEx, Microsoft Encarta, Allstate, Cingular, and even his onetime
nemesis H&R Block. He speaks about the importance of learning at college
campuses and corporate events, and has co-invented two trivia games: Can
You Beat Ken? board game from University Games, and Quizzology, a CD
trivia game from Major Games. Ken is the author of Ken Jenningss Trivia
Almanac and the national best-seller Brainiac,
about his bizarre Jeopardy! adventures and
about the phenomenon of trivia in American
culture. His latest book is Maphead, about his
lifelong love for geography geekery of all kinds.
Ken currently lives outside Seattle, with his
wife Mindy, his son Dylan and daughter Caitlin,
and a deeply unstable Labrador retriever named
Banjo.
Star Scholar Awards
Wednesday, April 25, 2012 2
Julius Gius Scholarship
Winner - 2012
Serry Park
Ojai Valley School
GPA: 4.12
School Activities
ASB (president/representative/community
service representative), Dorm Prefect, Musical
Chorus, Journalism, Photography, Varsity Soccer
(co-captain), Track, Junior Varsity Volleyball
(co-captain/setter)
Community Activities
Tutor (4 years), Best Day Foundation (leader),
Invisible Children Schools 4 Schools (leader),
Relay for Life (leader, 3 years), Ojai Valley
Nursery, rebuilt orphanage in Mexico (2009)
College/Major
Waiting to hear from more colleges/ Molecular
and Cellular Biology, Psychology
Parents
Anna and Arnold Park
courtesy of Getty Images News / Getty Images
courtesy AP
The following pages feature the top
87 graduates inVentura County.
These Star Scholars can attribute
their success to their families,
friends, mentors, counselors,
principals, teachers, administrators
and hard work.
Zheng Wang
Adolfo Camarillo High School
GPA: 4.66
School Activities
Academic Decathlon (team captain, 4 years), Junior States of America (founder/
president and promoted involvement in democracy, 10, 11, 12), National Honor Society
(founding member/bylaws & public relations chair)
Community Activities
Interact Club (president), AlmaVia, Camarillo Food Drive, 30 Hour Famine
College/Major
Princeton, Columbia, UC Berkeley, Brown, Duke / Biochemistry, Biology, Mathematics
and Applied Science
Parents
Dongming Wang and Jibing Zhang
Neda Ashtari
Agoura High School
GPA: 4.3
School Activities
American Cancer Society Club (president/founder), Agoura High School Relay for Life
(founder/chair)
Community Activities
Youth and Government, Sheldons Art Academy (5 years), Farsi Class (3 years),
CVU Club Soccer, American Cancer Society Summit Leadership (conference coordinator)
College/Major
UCLA / Political Science
Parents
Michael Ashtari
Avni J. Desai
Agoura High School
GPA: 4.31
School Activities
ASB (president), Tennis (captain), Math Honor Society, National Honor Society
Community Activities
Girl Scout Gold Award
College/Major
USC, UC San Diego / Accounting, Management Science
Parents
Jaydeep and Shobhna Desai
Cheryl N. Gaul
Agoura High School
GPA: 4.83
School Activities
Math Honor Society (president/vice president/secretary), Tutor, English Honor Society,
Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee(music director),
School Musical Productions (pianist)
Community Activities
Agoura Hills Public Library (800+ hours volunteer), Los Angeles County Public Library
System (Youth Volunteer of the Year nominee), Reyes Adobe Days (booth coordinator),
Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra (oboist, pianist)
College/Major
Massachusetts Institute of Technology / Engineering
Parents
Thomas and Jean Gaul
Joshua S. Snyder - Kelsey
Apollo High School
GPA: 3.6
School Activities
Academics and Teachers Assistant
Community Activities
None
College/Major
Moorpark College / Computer Science
Parents
Carolyn and David Kelsey
Star Scholar Awards
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
3
Jonathan N. Ong
Adolfo Camarillo High School
GPA: 4.7
School Activities
National Honor Society, Math Competition Team, Model United Nations,
Academic Decathlon Team, Kiwanis
Community Activities
First Lego League Team (mentor), Camarillo Library (volunteer, tutoring during the
school year and running and managing a reading program during the summer)
College/Major
Still to hear from UCLA, UC Berkeley, UCSB, UC San Diego, USC, Stanford / Electrical
Engineering, Computer Engineering
Parents
Irene Lam and James Ong
Justin N. Ong
Adolfo Camarillo High School
GPA: 4.7
School Activities
Academic Decathlon (award winner), Math Competition Team (award-winner),
Medical Academy, Pre-Engineering Program
Community Activities
National Honor Society (at-risk student tutor, fundraised for our local troops overseas),
Library (tutor, summer volunteer)
College/Major
UCLA, UC Berkeley, UCSB, UC San Diego / Biological, Biomedical Engineering
Parents
Irene Lam and James Ong
Brett J. Anderson
Buena High School
GPA: 4.7
School Activities
Interact Club, Academic Decathlon, Mock Trial, Knowledge Bowl,
Students for the American Way, Religion and Philosophy Club,
German Exchange Student, Science Department (lab technician)
Community Activities
Boy Scouts of America, Order of the Arrow, Salvation Army
College/Major
UC Davis, Rice University / Chemical Engineering
Parents
Marie and Brett Anderson
Katherine G. Nofziger
Buena High School
GPA: 4.45
School Activities
Buena Renaissance Committee (chair), Religion & Philosophy Club, Mock Trial,
Academic Decathalon, Knowledge Bowl, Soccer, Track & Field, CSF
Community Activities
AYSO (volunteer/coach/referee), Ventura Missionary Church (Sunday School teacher),
Relay For Life (volunteer), Santa to the Sea (volunteer), Cheers For Children (volunteer)
College/Major
Boston College, Pepperdine, Tufts University / History, Political Science, Undecided
Parents
Paula and Steven Nofziger
Ashley G. Selvey
Buena High School
GPA: 4.6
School Activities
ASB (president), Habakkuk Bible Club, CSF, Volleyball (9, 10, 11), Environmental Club
Community Activities
Ventura Missionary Church Youthgroup, Anacapa Island Restoration,
Operation Christmas Child, Malaria Nets, American Troops Care Packages
College/Major
Western Washington University / Environmental Studies, Journalism
Parents
Christopher and Linda Selvey
Mitch B. Krems
Century Academy
GPA: 4.35
School Activities
Tennis (two-time Ventura County Star all-county first team, #1 Westlake High School
singles player, and Marmonte League individual doubles champion), Basketball
(3 years), Century Academy Associated Student Government (vice president)
Community Activities
Founder and lead instructor of free VIP Tennis Clinic designed for special needs
teens in the Conejo Valley
College/Major
Brandeis, UC Davis, UC Berkeley / Pre-law, Business
Parents
Michael and Dikla Krems
Salvador I. Brito
Channel Islands High School
GPA: 4.71
School Activities
CSF, Key Club International, Academic Decathlon, MESA,
Economics & Entrepreneurship Club, ASB
Community Activities
Saint Anthonys Religious Education (volunteer), Rose Bowl Float Decoration,
Boys & Girls Club (volunteer), Big Brothers Big Sisters (mentor),
Christmas Caroling, Canned Food Drive, Beach Cleanups
College/Major
UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSB, UC Irvine, California Lutheran University / Molecular and
Cellular Biology: Neurobiology, Biological Sciences, Psychology and Social Behavior
Parents
Laura and Pedro Brito
Jessica Marie F. Madlangsakay
Channel Islands High School
GPA: 4.67
School Activities
Kiwanis Educated Youth Club, CSF, ASB, Varsity Tennis, MESA,
Students Against Animal Cruelty, Academic Decathlon
Community Activities
Nursing Homes (musical therapist), Elementary and Middle School Students
(tutor/volunteer), Community Cleanup at Parks and Beaches, Relay for Life,
Blood Drive Donations, Rose Bowl Volunteer
College/Major
UC San Diego, CSUN, UCSB / Undecided
Parents
Raymond Pena Madlangsakay and Maria Olive Ferrer Madlangsakay
Jeanine I. Ruiz
Channel Islands High School
GPA: 4.65
School Activities
CSF, MESA, French Club, Science Club
Community Activities
Boys & Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters
College/Major
UCLA, UCSB, UC Irvine, UC Berkeley, CSUN, California Lutheran University, Pepperdine /
Pre-med, Mathematics
Parents
Margarita and Antonio Ruiz
Maritza Morales
Community High School
GPA: 2.6
School Activities
SAS activities
Community Activities
Flory Academy of Sciences and Technology Success Express, Moorpark City Library
College/Major
Marinello School of Beauty / Cosmetologist
Parents
Manuel and Maria Estela Morales
Star Scholar Awards
Wednesday, April 25, 2012 4
Ashley Mannarino
Conejo Valley High School
GPA: 3.3
School Activities
Newspaper Staff, Soccer, Journalism
Community Activities
Volunteer
College/Major
Moorpark College / Philosophy, Photography, Journalism
Parents
Lisa Mannarino
Jeremy D. Brooks
El Camino High School at Ventura College
GPA: 4.15
Sool Activities
ASB, Amnesty International Club, Ignite!(Christian Club), Poetry Out Loud (two-time
champion), Optimist Essay Contest Winner, Optimist Oratorical Contest Winner
Community Activities
Church (worship leader), World TeamTennis, Club Soccer, Drama/Mime (team leader),
AYSO, Convalescent Home Ministry, Theatre (Ozzy in The Scarlet Pimpernel)
College/Major
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo / Communication Studies
Parents
Jamey and Lynne Brooks
Melissa M. Solis
El Camino High School at Ventura College
GPA: 4.4
School Activities
Leadership, Relay For Life
Community Activities
National Junior Tennis League, Various community volunteer projects: Homeless Shelter
meals, Rotary Club Christmas Baskets
College/Major
Westmont, Azusa Pacific University, UCSB, Stanford / Medicine, Biology, or other related
studies
Parents
Anne McInerney-Solis and David Solis
Joseph W. Varela
El Camino High School at Ventura College
GPA: 4.18
School Activities
ASB, Ventura School Board (student representative)
Community Activities
Amnesty International
College/Major
Accepted to NewYork University, pending are Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Columbia,
Cornell, Stanford / Economics, Politics, Philosophy
Parents
Carolyn Varela
Roberto D. Munoz
Fillmore High School
GPA: 4.43
School Activities
Concert Band (first chair, french horn), Marching Band, Jazz Band, Band Club
(treasurer), Cross Country, Drama, Poetry Club, Flashes Go Green Club (treasurer)
Community Activities
Boy Scouts of America (senior patrol leader, troop guide, Life Scout, Order of the
Arrow), Lions Club Speaker Contest, Totally Rad (community/high school musical)
College/Major
Stanford, Harvard, Princeton, UC Berkeley, UCSB, Grinnell / Undecided
Parents
Janey and Mike Munoz
Vanessa M. Villa
Fillmore High School
GPA: 4.6
School Activities
Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan, Cinco de Mayo Princess, Band, Marching
Band (drumline), Field Show, Concert Band, MESA, Art Club, UC Ambassadors
Community Activities
Junior Soroptimist Club, Relay for Life, Conference on Human Trafficking, Summer Play,
Arthritis Walk, Bike Path Cleanup, Fashion Show, 1000 Cranes for Peace,
College Making it Happen, FHS Beautification Day
College/Major
UC Santa Cruz, UCSB, University of New Mexico, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CSU Chico,
CSU Fullerton, California Lutheran University / Engineering
Parents
Noe and Norma Villa
Alexa Z. Constantine
Foothill Technology High School
GPA: 4.44
School Activities
Intervention Reinforcement Enrichment Program (tutor), Bioscience Academy, National
Honor Society, Jazz Band (first chair, keyboardist)
Community Activities
Ventura Youth Choir (piano accompanist), Ventura College Singers (soprano soloist),
Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra (pianist), Santa Paula Hospital (volunteer)
College/Major
UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Diego / Music, Physiology
Parents
Dawna and Carl Constantine
Star Scholar Awards
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
5
Alonso Pablo
Community High School
GPA: 2.2
School Activities
Student Government, Fundraising, Organizing, School Activities
Community Activities
Recycling at Community High School, Flory Elementary Halloween Fair
College/Major
Moorpark College / Art
Parents
Florinda Pablo
Callie V. Woods
Grace Brethren High School
GPA: 3.95
School Activities
Basketball (captain), National Honor Society, CSF, National Art Honor Society,
ASB (treasurer)
Community Activities
Feed the Needy (volunteer), First 5 (volunteer)
College/Major
Stanford, Johns Hopkins University, Cornell University / Psychology
Parents
James and Victoria Woods
Samantha E. Evans
High School at Moorpark College
GPA: 4.17
School Activities
Monthly Newsletter (editor/writer), ASG, Drama, Comedy Sportz Improv Team
(secretary), Published in 2012 Moorpark College Review Creative Arts Magazine
Community Activities
Interact Youth Rotary Club (president), TreePeople (supervisor/outreach volunteer),
Girl Scouts, Boys & Girls Club Youth Poetry Program (founder/leader)
College/Major
University of St. Andrews / English
Parents
Pamela and David Evans
Isabel M. Schroeter
High School at Moorpark College
GPA: 4.19
School Activities
Moorpark Environmentally Responsible Group Effort, ASG
Community Activities
Pangea (volunteer), Agoura Hills Animal Shelter (weekly volunteer)
College/Major
Undecided / Environmental Science
Parents
Sandra Rayl and Carl Schroeter
Madelyn A. Harris
Hillcrest Christian School
GPA: 4.67
School Activities
ASB (senior class president), National Honor Society (president), CSF,
Yearbook Staff (editor), Film Class
Community Activities
Emmanuel Presbyterian (short and longterm mission projects). Favorite mission trip
was a weeklong trip to Mexico to run a Vacation Bible School and play
with underprivileged children.
College/Major
Pepperdine, UCLA, USC, Stanford, CSUN / Film Production
Parents
Kim and Matt Harris
Hillary Ferrer
Hueneme High School
GPA: 3.9
School Activities
Peer Resource, AVID
Community Activities
South Oxnard Branch Library, Heritage Square, Beach Cleanups, Santa to the Sea
College/Major
UCSB, California Lutheran University / Undecided
Parents
Hernan and Mildred Ferrer
Justine Legaspi
Hueneme High School
GPA: 4.5
School Activities
Water Polo, Swimming, MESA, Drama
Community Activities
None
College/Major
Sonoma State University, San Jose State University / Undecided
Parents
Leni Legaspi
Rosheil Meara A. Ramirez
Hueneme High School
GPA: 4.36
School Activities
Basketball, Mock Trial, CSF, Peer Resource, ARFF, MESA, ASB
Community Activities
California Strawberry Fesitval (volunteer)
College/Major
UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine / Social Sciences
Parents
Romel and Sheila Ramirez
Star Scholar Awards
Wednesday, April 25, 2012 6
Averi James
Foothill Technology High School
GPA: 4.56
School Activities
Bioscience Academy, Intervention Reinforcement and Enrichment Program (mentor),
GSA (treasurer)
Community Activities
Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice (hospice volunteer), Santa
Barbara Youth Symphony (bassoonist), Equestrian Sports at Spirit Equestrian Centers
College/Major
UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Davis, UC Berkeley / Biological Sciences, Neuroscience
Parents
Randy Kaplan-James
Kimberly A. Schliekelman
Monte Vista School
GPA: 3.4
School Activities
Monte Vista Student Board (representative)
Community Activities
Not One More, War Against Heroin, Heroin Sucks, Ride The Wave Foundation
College/Major
Intercoast College, Oxnard College, Moorpark College / Addiction Studies,
Criminal Justice
Parents
Gary and Vantana Schliekelman
Jeff Niu
Moorpark High School
GPA: 4.83
School Activities
Future Business Leaders of America, CSF, California Youth and Government,
Journalism: The Verdict, Gold Post, The Californian, The Western Report
Community Activities
Moorpark Comprehensive Medical Group (intern), Los Robles Hospital and Medical
Center (volunteer), Moorpark Unified School District Strategic Planning Group
(student representative), various service organizations/projects
College/Major
Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, Washington University in St. Louis,
UC Berkeley / International Business, Bioengineering
Parents
Qing-Tian Niu and Sharon Lei
Clara Q. Chen
Moorpark High School
GPA: 4.52
School Activities
Active Citizens of Today (president), Speech & Debate Club (founder/president),
National Honor Society (president), Varsity Tennis (co-captain), Project PRIDE (tutor)
Community Activities
Moorpark Teen Council, Moorpark Food Pantry, Cantastic! Food Drive, Perfect Pitch!
Music Program, Kidspeak, Relay for Life, Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency
College/Major
Princeton / Biology
Parents
Faye Chen
Sanjay Siddhanti
Newbury Park High School
GPA: 4.87
School Activities
Mock Trial, Model United Nations (president), Interact Club (president),
National Honor Society (vice president/parliamentarian), Varsity Tennis, CSF
Community Activities
Ventura County Public Defender (intern), City of Thousand Oaks Department of Public
Works (intern), Asha for Education (volunteer webmaster)
College/Major
Stanford / Computer Science, Engineering
Parents
Suresh Siddhanti and Sunita Zalani
Samantha M. Guhan
Newbury Park High School
GPA: 4.8
School Activities
Mock Trial (pretrial attorney), Full International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate,
Scientific Research including internship at Stanford School of Medicine
Community Activities
Los Robles Hospital Surgery Desk (volunteer), Discovery Center Teen Science Club
(president), TEDxConejo (invited speaker, co-chair of organizing committee for Youth
Conference)
College/Major
Northwestern University - Honors Program in Medical Education / Biology - Joint
BS/MD Program
Parents
Sam and Trupti Guhan
Samantha N. Suggs
Newbury Park Adventist Academy
GPA: 4.0
School Activities
Choir (4 years), Band (10, 12),Volleyball (10), Flag Football (11, 12), Class Secretary
(11), Honor Society Pastor (11), Newburians (12), ASB (dorm coordinator, 12)
Community Activities
This year I went on a mission trip with my school. We went to Costa Rica and built
classrooms for a local school. It was great experience. The people were so loving, the
work was all worthwhile.
College/Major
Walla Walla University / Biology
Parents
Ada Gutierrez and J.R. Suggs
Nicole M. Restmeyer
Moorpark High School
GPA: 4.3
School Activities
Future Business Leaders of America, Varsity Track & Field,
Spanish National Honor Society, Newspaper Staff, CSF
Community Activities
California YMCAYouth and Government (Conejo Valley delegation),
Thousand Oaks Library (volunteer), The Wellness Community (volunteer)
College/Major
Brown University, Columbia University, University of Virginia / Undecided
Parents
Sue and Dan Restmeyer
Star Scholar Awards
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
7
Elly J. Shao
La Reina High School
GPA: 4.8
School Activities
Robotics Club, Art Club, Anime Club, Future Scientists, Literary Magazine,
Speech and Debate
Community Activities
Girl Scouts, Piano (tutor), Chinese Jeopardy
College/Major
Caltech / Undecided
Parents
Lisheng Shao and Qing Chen
Ryley C. Swanner
Oak Grove School
GPA: 4.0
School Activities
Student Council, Interscholastic Equestrian League Team (captain), Theater, Ceramics,
Digital Design, Music
Community Activities
Orchard Blossom Farms (equestrian instructor/student rider), Camp Counselor,
Besant Meadow Preserve/Restoration Project (volunteer)
College/Major
Centre College, Cornell College, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, Austin College / Undecided
Parents
Krista and Dan Swanner
Nicholas R. Perkins
Nordhoff High School
GPA: 4.5
School Activities
Varsity Basketball, Varsity Tennis, Varsity Football, Valedictorian, Interact Club,
Seminar Religious Education Teacher
Community Activities
Ojai Presbyterian Church Member, Built houses in Tijuana during Spring Break,
Church Related community service projects
College/Major
Stanford / Human Biology
Parents
Chris and Magda Perkins
Allen M. Colborn
Nordhoff High School
GPA: 4.5
School Activities
Varsity Baseball (captain, 2 years), Interact Club, Social Justice Club, Chess Club
(president), Beauty and the Beast (tech crew), Robotics Engineering Club, Tutor,
Associate Teacher
Community Activities
Montalvo Little League (coach/field prep/cashier), Mira Monte Elementary School Math
Superbowl (coach), Boys State, EPIC Engineering Camp, Tutoring
College/Major
UC Berkeley, Rensselaer, University of Rochester, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Stanford,
Harvard / Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Math, Physics
Parents
Isaline and Rockey Colborn
Lauren Mendoza
Oak Park Independent
GPA: 4.0
School Activities
Volleyball (3 years), ASB (publicity commissioner/rally committee manager),
Theater Arts
Community Activities
Trained Eucharistic Minister, Lector and Youth Minister, Holy Cross Parish Youth Choir,
currently works 15-20 hours per week at Abercrombie & Fitch
College/Major
California Lutheran University, Loyola Marymount University, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo,
CSU San Marcos / Broadcast Journalism, Communications
Parents
Ray and Jeanine Mendoza
Ashley A. Tarkiainen
Newbury Park High School
GPA: 4.8
School Activities
Greater Contribution Club (treasurer), Ultimate Frisbee Club (vice president),
National Honor Society
Community Activities
Westminster Free Clinic (volunteer), AYSO, Biology and Calculus Tutor
College/Major
Penn State - Jefferson Accelerated Medical Program, Tulane University / Biology
Parents
Erik and Tracey Tarkiainen
Angela Lin
Oak Park High School
GPA: 4.79
School Activities
Academic Decathlon Team (captain), Mock Trial, Varsity Tennis (MVP),
Red Cross (secretary), Orchestra Club (secretary)
Community Activities
Homework Tutoring Club, Many Mansions (volunteer, 3 hours/week; 25 weeks/year),
English Teacher in Taiwan (80 hours, 2011), Mathnasium)
College/Major
University of Chicago, UC Berkeley, University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University,
Brown University / Applied Mathematics
Parents
Ru-Jung Chang and Hung-Ren H. Lin
Steffan H. Kim
Oak Park High School
GPA: 4.0
School Activities
Green Club (president), Orchestra Club (vice president), Academic Decathlon
(team captain), Project Green Challenge (campus representative)
Community Activities
Westminster Free Clinic (student intern), Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra
(concertmaster), St. Vincent de Paul Society (volunteer), Discovery Center Teens
(secretary), Sunday School (teachers assistant)
College/Major
Undecided / Biology, Molecular Biology
Parents
Yong and Soyeon Kim
Allison E. Dods
Oak Park High School
GPA: 4.58
School Activities
Chinese (various activities), Spanish Club (president), Basketball, CSF, Orchestra Club
Community Activities
Piano, Chinese Bridge Proficiency Competition, Pizazz Music Camp (volunteer),
Westlake Footprints Choir (accompanist), Dance
College/Major
UC Berkeley / Linguistics
Parents
Lauren and Jason Dods
Star Scholar Awards
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
8
Serry Park
Ojai Valley School
GPA: 4.12
School Activities
ASB (president/representative/community service representative), Dorm Prefect,
Musical Chorus, Journalism, Photography, Varsity Soccer (co-captain), Track, Junior
Varsity Volleyball (co-captain/setter)
Community Activities
Tutor (4 years), Best Day Foundation (leader), Invisible Children Schools 4 Schools
(leader), Relay for Life (leader, 3 years), Ojai Valley Nursery, rebuilt orphanage in
Mexico (2009)
College/Major
Waiting to hear from more colleges / Molecular and Cellular Biology, Psychology
Parents
Anna and Arnold Park
Alexander Vega
Oaks Christian High School
GPA: 4.69
School Activities
Theater (actor in 4 dramatic plays, ensemble in 3 musicals), Wind Ensemble (clarinet),
Library Committee (book leader), National Honor Society, Creative Writing Club, Track
Community Activities
Operation Gratitude, LIFE Animal Rescue (volunteer), Theatricum Botanicum
(volunteer), Peer Tutor
College/Major
Accepted to Amherst, Swarthmore, Colgate, Wesleyan, Hamilton,
Connecticut College / English
Parents
Jose Vega and Brenda Troche
Brian A. Pugh
Oaks Christian High School
GPA: 4.71
School Activities
Jazz Band (alto saxophone), Leadership (head prefect), Varsity Tennis (doubles),
Advanced Location Photography, Competitive Mathematics, National Honor Society
Community Activities
Calvary Community Church Costa Rican Mission Trip, ACTION Christmas Shoppe,
Pacific Tennis Club (racquet stringing), Calvary Community Church ISI Small Group
College/Major
UC Berkeley, Columbia, Dartmouth / Electrical Engineering
Parents
Elizabeth and Rich Pugh
Justin P. Karotkin
Oak View High School
GPA: 4.0
School Activities
Yearbook Staff, Aquarium Club
Community Activities
Volunteered for Fresh & Easy with my classmates
College/Major
Undecided / Undecided
Parents
Nardi Hueter
Arely Hurtado
Pacific High School
GPA: 1.9
School Activities
School Board (student representative), Work Experience, Teen Parent Liaison
Community Activities
Elementary School (tutor, 2 years), Youth Group at San Buenaventura Mission
College/Major
Ventura College, Oxnard College / Pediatrics, Child Development
Parents
Apolonia Vigueras and Joaquin Hurtado
Marissa C. Soto
Oxnard High School
GPA: 4.27
School Activities
AVID, CSF (class representative), Latino Culture Club (vice president),
Drama Department (board member), ASB, Link Crew, Red Cross Club
Community Activities
Marshall Elementary Schools After School Program (tutor), Camp Serendipity
(counselor), AVID (tutor), Santa Clara Soup Kitchen, Celebrate the Child Day,
Mackinnon Dance Academy
College/Major
CSU Long Beach / Communicative Disorders
Parents
Juan and Araceli Soto
Katherine B. Rice
Oxnard High School
GPA: 4.4
School Activities
Mock Trial (lead attorney), ASB (president, 10), CSF (president),
Golf (league champion/captain/all-county), Band Boosters, PTSA
Community Activities
Santa Clara Church, The First Tee
College/Major
Morehead State University / Government, Economics
Parents
Roger and Grace Rice
Neal Goleta
Oxnard High School
GPA: 4.52
School Activities
Marching Band (drum major), Jazz Band, Concert Band, Vocal Ensemble, CSF (treasurer)
Community Activities
Marching Band, Jazz Band and Vocal Ensemble community outreach,
CROP Hunger Walks
College/Major
NewYork University / Music Technology
Parents
Pete and Bridget Goleta
Star Scholar Awards
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
9
Samantha A. Pinsak
Rio Mesa High School
GPA: 4.83
School Activities
Full International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate, CSF, Red Cross Club, Spartans
for the Cure, Link Crew, Dance Club, Advanced Dance (4 years), Valedictorian Candidate
Community Activities
Friends of the Camarillo Library Bookstore, Camarillo Hospice Farmers Market, Las
Colinas Planter Adoption, Boys and Girls Club (tutor), CAPA Dancer, voice lessons,
employee at The Mark-It Place
College/Major
Georgetown University, USC, Boston College / Economics, Economics/Mathematics
Parents
Cami and Chris Pinsak
Glenn (Geno) E. Arthur
Rio Mesa High School
GPA: 4.67
School Activities
Cross Country (4 years, varsity 3 years, MVP, 2011 Ventura County Champion),
Varsity Track & Field (3 years), Red Cross Club (3 years, co-president in grade 12)
Community Activities
Red Cross of Ventura County (volunteer), Trinity Presbyterian Church of Camarillo
(volunteer, more)
College/Major
Oberlin College / Neuroscience, Biochemistry
Parents
Glenn and Roxanna Arthur
Elena Roffel
Rio Mesa High School
GPA: 4.5
School Activities
American Red Cross Club (co-president), CSF (secretary),
Varsity Track & Field (shotput/discus), Link Crew (commissioner)
Community Activities
Girl Scouts, American Red Cross, Camarillo United Methodist Summer Day Camp
(volunteer)
College/Major
Northeastern University, Tufts University / Chemistry
Parents
Bill and Jennifer Roffel
Nathan L. Vo
Pacifica High School
GPA: 4.5
School Activities
MESA, Tennis
Community Activities
Church of Christ - Igesia ni Cristo (choir, youth group leader)
College/Major
UCSB / Undecided
Parents
Minh and Priscilla Vo
Joshua F. Galanti
Royal High School
GPA: 4.6
School Activities
Parkour
Community Activities
Parkour, Youth and Government, Simi Valley Youth Council, civic engagement,
independent activism
College/Major
Accepted to UCLA and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, will attend Moorpark College /
Communications, Political Science
Parents
Michelle and Francis Galanti
Eduardo Ochoa
Pacifica High School
GPA: 4.55
School Activities
College Club, Academic Decathlon, Hero Club, MESA,
Parent Teacher Student Association, ASB, CSF
Community Activities
Interface Children & Family Services, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church,
American Red Cross, Oxnard Public Library
College/Major
UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSB / Molecular and Cell Biology, Mathematics/Applied Science,
Biochemistry
Parents
Margarita and Alejandro Ochoa
Lynn Ly
Royal High School
GPA: 4.41
School Activities
French Honor Society, CSF, Key Club, Philosophy Club, Science Olympiad
Community Activities
Sunrise Senior Homes, Relay for Life, Blues Festival, Simi Valley Days
College/Major
UC Berkeley, UCLA, Occidental College, University of the Pacific / Biology
Parents
Chau Ly and Hien Tang
Sonia Mendoza
Pacifica High School
GPA: 4.65
School Activities
MESA, Academic Decathlon, College Club, CSF, Chemistry Olympiad (coach / tutor)
Community Activities
Food Pantry (volunteer)
College/Major
UCLA / Business Economics
Parents
Luciano and Florencia Mendoza
Star Scholar Awards
Wednesday, April 25, 2012 10
Carolyn A. Salas
Santa Paula High School
GPA: 4.55
School Activities
Varsity Cheer (captain, 3 years), Varsity Track, National Honor Society (vice president),
CSF, AVID, Link Crew
Community Activities
Santa Paula Youth Cheer (coach, 1008+ hours of community service),
Briggs 4-H (9 years)
College/Major
San Diego State, San Jose State / Education, Math
Parents
Tony and Irene Salas
Gustavo D. Castillo
Santa Paula High School
GPA: 4.5
School Activities
MESA, Key Club (president), National Honor Society, Varsity Wrestling, Guitar Club,
Ambassadors Club
Community Activities
AYSO (referee)
College/Major
UC Berkeley, UCSB, California Institute of Technology, UCLA / Mechanical Engineering,
Envrionmental Engineering
Parents
Edith and Gustavo Castillo
Jalen A. Martin
Santa Clara High School
GPA: 4.24
School Activities
National Honor Society, Future Leaders of America, Basketball, Golf, Student
Ambassadors, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Autism Awareness Club, Drama
Community Activities
Community Emergency Response Team, Crop Walk, Walk for Life, Ventura County
Winter Shelter, Basketball (referee/coach), Soup Kitchen
College/Major
UC Irvine, UC Davis, Pepperdine / Biology, Biological Sciences
Parents
Elva Lopez and Blair Martin
Haley L. Walin
Royal High School
GPA: 5.0
School Activities
French Club (vice president), French Honor Society, National Honor Society, CSF
Community Activities
Summer Day Camp (counselor), Parks and Recreation (volunteer)
College/Major
UCSB, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Stanford, Yale, Columbia / Undecided
Parents
Gary and Beverly Walin
Isha Patel
Simi Valley High School
GPA: 4.68
School Activities
CSF (president), Varsity Tennis, National Honor Society, Key Club, Interact Club,
Vintage Senior Center (volunteer)
Community Activities
California Association of Student Councils (Region 7 president), CSU Northridge
Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (viola), Valley Presbyterian Hospital (volunteer),
Udhavi Orphanage in South India (volunteer)
College/Major
Stanford, UC Berkeley, USC / Social Sciences, Economics, International Relations
Parents
Ian and Neepa Patel
Katherine Nguyen
Simi Valley High School
GPA: 4.6
School Activities
CSF, CSU Northridge PUMP High School Program
Community Activities
Medical Clinic (assistant), St. Peter Claver Church Youth Ministry (peer leader),
Eucharistic Minister and Altar Server
College/Major
Undecided / Undecided
Parents
Hoang and Hanh Nguyen
Apurva A. Govande
Santa Susana High School
GPA: 4.31
School Activities
International Club, Interact Club, Key Club, CSF, Mock Trial, Big Brothers Big Sisters
Community Activities
Samaritan Center (volunteer), Still Waters Caf (volunteer), Relay for Life,
School Festivals, Language Class (teachers aide)
College/Major
UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UCSB, Johns Hopkins University, Cornell University,
University of the Pacific, CSUN / Biological Sciences, Microbiology
Parents
Atul and Madhavi Govande
ReemA. Abdel-Haq
Santa Susana High School
GPA: 4.45
School Activities
Key Club (4 years), CSF (4 years), Interact Club: (3 years, historian in grade 12),
International Club (3 years), Muslim Student Association (co-founder/president)
Community Activities
Simi Valley Hospital (volunteer), Youth Group, MIST (second place video),
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, 300+ community volunteer hours at school
and community fairs, soup kitchens, more
College/Major
UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Diego / Biological Sciences, Neurology
Parents
Ali and Lana Abdel-Haq
Star Scholar Awards Wednesday, April 25, 2012 11
Christine S. Roe
Trinity Pacific Christian School
GPA: 3.91
School Activities
Student Council (president), Mock Trial (captain), National Honor Society Scholar,
Service Club, Photography Club (president/founder), Basketball, Speech Club,
Cinematography Club (gaffer)
Community Activities
Food Share Ministries (volunteer), Lighthouse Bible Church Sunday School (teacher,
nursery volunteer), Ventura County Rescue Mission (volunteer), Captured! Photography
(photographer), AWANA Sparkies (leader)
College/Major
Patrick Henry College, The Masters College / Classical Liberal Arts, English
Parents
Robert and Jenny Roe
Jenna N. Wooster
Thousand Oaks High School
GPA: 4.56
School Activities
Marching Band, Concert Band (student librarian), CSF, Rose-Hulman Institute of
Techonology Operation Catapult Engineering Program (attendee, 2011)
Community Activities
Conejo Valley Community Churchs LoveFest for Lilly of the Valley Orphanage and
Conejo Valley Community Churchs feeding the homeless program, Relay for Life
College/Major
UC Davis / Mechanical Engineering
Parents
Denise and Bill Wooster
Jennifer A. Smith
Thousand Oaks High School
GPA: 3.70
School Activities
Majors Program, Newspaper Staff (editorial/opinion editor), Literary Magazine (editor-
in-chief ), Varsity Volleyball (2 years), Link Crew, Pay It Forward, Volleyball (manager)
Community Activities
Stagecoach Inn Museum (junior docent, 9 years), National Charity League, Wellness
Community, Red Cross, Next Chapter Book Club, Club Volleyball (5 years), Teddy Bear
Brigade
College/Major
Emerson College, Dominican University, Creighton University, San Francisco State
University / English, Journalism, Creative Writing, Spanish
Parents
Jo Ann and Mike Smith
Sumedh S. Shah
Thousand Oaks High School
GPA: 4.0
School Activities
Health Science Majors Program, Basketball, National Honor Society, CSF,
National Society of High School Scholars, Baseball, French, Debate, Quidditch
Community Activities
Boy Scouts (Eagle Scout), Hospice of the Conejo, Los Robles Hospital (Patient Pal),
Dance for Hope, 2011 Presidents Volunteer Service Award Winner,
2012 Congressional Award Gold Medal Winner
College/Major
Penn State, UC San Diego, UCLA, University of Miami, University of Alabama, Brown,
VCU, Kent State / Accelerated Medical Program, Pre-med/Medical, Biology
Parents
Sucheta S. Shah
Sarah Cresto
The Thacher School
GPA: 4.2
School Activities
Sir Winston Churchill Debate Society, Dorm Prefect, Current Events Club,
Environmental Action Committee
Community Activities
Ojai Creek Cleanup, The Nomad Foundation, Las Patronas Auxiliary
College/Major
Georgetown School of Foreign Service, Stanford / International Politics
Parents
Debora and Michael Cresto
Christopher W. Ray
St. Bonaventure High School
GPA: 4.17
School Activities
Seraph 2 Seraph (tutor), Band, National Honor Society (president), CSF, Choir
Community Activities
Camarillo Shotokan Karate Dojo (black belt, assistant instructor), Game-21
(bands co-founder)
College/Major
Stanford, Duke, University of Notre Dame, Northwestern, UCLA, UCSB, UC Berkeley /
Bioengineering, Biology
Parents
Bennett and Randolph Ray
Kyle K. Aggarwal
St. Bonaventure High School
GPA: 4.45
School Activities
Mock Trial, Seraph 2 Seraph (tutor), Drama, Knowledge Bowl, Newspaper Staff, Golf,
Middle School Outreach, National Honor Society
Community Activities
AYSO, Police Athletic League, Ventura Youth Basketball League, American Way
College/Major
University of Notre Dame, Santa Clara University / Pre-law
Parents
Sandy and Anil Aggarwal
Jeena K. Sandhu
Simi Valley High School
GPA: 4.64
School Activities
International Club (president/founder), Key Club (secretary), Interact Club (treasurer),
CSF, National Honor Society, Cross Country
Community Activities
Simi Valley Youth Council, Bhangra Dance Team, Ujjaldidar Singh Memorial Foundation
Punjabi School, Sikh Youth Speech Competitions, Simi Valley Care Center (volunteer),
Aspen Surgery Center (intern), Miss Teen Simi Valley (first runner-up)
College/Major
UCLA, UC Berkeley / Biology
Parents
Dave and Dolly Singh
Star Scholar Awards
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
12
Joyce Zhang
Westlake High School
GPA: 4.84
School Activities
Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra (first flute), Varsity Swimming (MVP),
CSF (president), Red Cross Club (secretary), Amnesty International (treasurer)
Community Activities
Conejo Valley Orchestra (first flute), Ventura County Honor Band, Los Robles Hospital,
Conejo Chinese Cultural Association, Vacation Bible School, Sunrise Assisted Living,
Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Thousand Oaks Library
College/Major
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego / Chemistry,
Pre-Medicine
Parents
David and Cherry Zhang
Haikuo Yin
Westlake High School
GPA: 4.84
School Activities
Math Club, Physics Club, Mu Alpha Theta, Future Business Leaders of America,
Junior Achievement, National Honor Society, Science Olympiad, Skills USA
Community Activities
Thousand Oaks Teen Advisory League, Summer Reading Club,
Colina Middle School (music teacher)
College/Major
UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, Carnegie Mellon University / Electrical Engineering,
Computer Science
Parents
Desheng Yin and Shuilizun Yu
Kevin S. Chian
Westlake High School
GPA: 4.8
School Activities
Junior Achievement, Future Business Leaders of America, Science Olympiad,
Mu Alpha Theta, SkillsUSA, Math Club, Swimming, Wind Ensemble
Community Activities
Thousand Oaks Teen Advisory League, National Honor Society, Thousand Oaks
Chinese School (teacher assistant), Vacation Bible School (group leader),
Los Robles Hospital (volunteer)
College/Major
UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UCLA, Rice University / Computer Engineering,
Business Administration
Parents
Rulin Qian and Cynthia Lu
Michael R. Whalen
Villanova Preparatory High School
GPA: 4.5
School Activities
Mock Trial (witness/lawyer/clerk/defender, 4 years), Soccer (mid-fielder, 4 years),
Tennis (doubles partner, 4 years)
Community Activities
I have worked at In-n-Out since the summer before my Junior year,
donate blood at least 3 times a year, occasionally serve at a soup kitchen
and have lectored/altar served at our parish for years
College/Major
Stanford / Computer Science
Parents
Michael and Sheila Whalen
Lauren Rehbein
Ventura High School
GPA: 4.0
School Activities
Dance Team (captain), Dive Team, National Honor Society (vice president), Key Club
(treasurer), Wind Ensemble, UCSB Apprentice Researchers Internship, Academic Decathlon,
FIRST Robotics, Drama, Phoenix Triathlon
Community Activities
Community Corp., Caregivers, Relay for Life, Heal the Beach, City of Ventura Sailing
Program, Festival of Talent, Readers Faire, Discovery Day, Serve Day, Ventura College
student
College/Major
UC Berkeley, University of Miami / Biology
Parents
Katherine and Rudy Rehbein
Anna Guasco
Ventura High School
GPA: 4.6
School Activities
Discovery Day (co-Director), Key Club (secretary), CSF, National Honor Society,
Heal the Beach (public relations director)
Community Activities
Ventura Eco-Renewal (founder), Paso Pacifico (volunteer intern),
Channel Islands National Park (guide)
College/Major
Bowdoin College, Brown, Carleton, Whitman, UC Berkeley / Undecided,
Environmental Studies, International Studies
Parents
Susan Lascher and Matthew Guasco
Rebecca L. Bernard
Ventura High School
GPA: 4.7
School Activities
Varsity Softball, Heal the Beach, Key Club, National Honor Society, CSF, Yearbook Staff,
California Girls State Delegate (2011), Readers Fair, Discovery Day
Community Activities
Best Day Foundation, Volunteer Junior Lifeguard Assistant, Relay for Life,
Senior Citizen Prom, Travel Softball
College/Major
UC Davis, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, UCSB, UC San Diego, University of Hawaii at Manoa,
Tulane, California Lutheran University / Biological Sciences
Parents
Karen and Scott Bernard
Kathryn G. Illig
Ventura County Christian School
GPA: 3.9
School Activities
Drama Class, Student Government, Teachers Assistant, AP Calculus, Volleyball,
Basketball, Principals Award, Honor Roll (4 years), Top of Class
Community Activities
Horizon Foursquare Church (400+ hours of community service),
Community Memorial Hospital (100+ hours), Tutoring
College/Major
Azusa Pacific University / Nursing
Parents
Kevin and Stacy Illig
Star Scholar Awards Wednesday, April 25, 2012 13
Star Scholar Awards
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
14
The Scholarship Fund for Ventura County
Staking our childrens
future is one of the best
investments we can make
Todays student leaders are our countys leaders of tomorrow.
Thats why the Ventura County Community Foundations Scholarship
Fund for Ventura County annually awards financial aid to top students at
every high school in the county.
Businesses, individuals, foundations and nonprofits give generously to
the Scholarship Fund for Ventura County at VCCF, which provides every
dollar of financial aid awarded through the Ventura County Star Scholars
Program.
By harnessing donations from the community, VCCF stewards nearly
100 scholarship funds and looks forward to awarding $1.2 million in
financial aid this spring.
Want to learn more about VCCF scholarships? Visit www.vccf.org/
scholarships or call (805) 988-0196.
Or join us in this good work.
To start a scholarship fund at VCCF, contact Jerusha Schmalzel at
jschmalzel@vccf.org or phone (805) 988-0196, Ext. 132.
To donate to the Scholarship Fund for Ventura County,
contact Lindsay Smith at lsmith@vccf.org. (805) 988-0196, Ext. 115.
Some of our past
Julius Gius Scholarship
Winners
Then
GPA: 4.57
Moorpark High School
Parents: Haw-Renn and Faye Chen
Now
Although originally planning on going to MIT,
Angela Chen opted for Harvard. Angela is a
senior at Harvard and majoring in physics. Her
mother, Faye Chen, said Angela plans to do
graduate work and seek a PhD. Regarding the
$5,000 Julius Gius Scholarship she said, the
scholarship was especially helpful to see Angela
through her freshman year. In 2011, Angela
interned in England and spent three weeks
backpacking solo through Europe.
Angela Q. Chen
2008 Winner
Sne Kanji
2011 Winner
Then
GPA: 4.3
Rio Mesa High School
Parents: Shantidas and Malti Kanji
Now
Sne is at UCLA and cant express how much
the scholarship has helped her this year. Not
only was it further motivation to keep working
hard, but it helped her cover initial costs of the
year. To have been awarded the Julius Gius
scholarship was an amazing gift, emotionally
and financially for me. Thank you for it.
vCCP has been certled ln compllance
wlthnatlonal standards by the Councll
on Poundatlons, the hlghest form
of peer revlew ln the Unlted States.
Support theventura County Star Scholars programby
donatlng to the Scholarshlp Pund for ventura County.
ventura County Communlty Poundatlon
l3l7 Del Norte Poad, Sulte l50
Camarlllo, CA 930l0-8364
Tel: 805.988.0l96, Lxt. ll5
www.vccf.org/scholarshlps
4591 Market St. Ventura, 93003 805.644.4657 I CSICU.org
Plnanclal |lteracy | 1unlor Savers | Student Accounts
CongratuIations
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