Seven students, each representing different Imperial Valley high schools, have been selected to receive full scholarships to attend the Academic Connections summer program at UC San Diego this summer.
Academic Connections provides an opportunity for high school students with a 3.3 (or above) weighted cumulative GPA to get a jump start on their college experience.
The students were personally honored by Chancellor Pradeep Khosla at a ceremony Wednesday, May 21, at UC San Diego.
Omar Ahmad with his proud mother. (Photo courtesy of Gretchen Laue)
Ed Abeyta, director of K-16 programs at UC San Diego, was on hand to answer questions from students and family members.
The winning students and their chosen courses include:
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Jose Zazueta, Grade 11, Calexico High: Introduction to Fluid Mechanical Engineering: From a Straw to an Airplane
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Janelle Abela, Grade 11, Brawley Union High: Scripps Institution of Oceanography: Introduction to Marine Biology
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Omar Ahmad, Grade 10, Imperial High: Media Matters: Stereotypes and Social Change in Popular Media
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Juan Martinez, Grade 9, San Pasqual Valley High: Introduction to Fluid Mechanical Engineering: From a Straw to an Airplane
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Cynthia Cortez, Grade 10, Holtville High: Introduction to Fluid Mechanical Engineering: From a Straw to an Airplane
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Federico Molina, Grade 9, Southwest High: Introduction to Cognitive Science
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Alejandro Quiroz, Grade 11, Central Union High: Introduction to Fluid Mechanical Engineering: From a Straw to an Airplane
The Academic Connections summer residential program prepares college-bound students for university-level studies. This is an important community outreach effort directed by UC San Diego Extension.
“We are happy to offer the scholarships to the Imperial Valley students as part of Chancellor Khosla’s strategic initiative to reach out to the Imperial Valley,” said Abeyta. “It is our hope that following their Academic Connections experience, they will bring their talents and knowledge to UC San Diego after they graduate from high school.”
The winning students and their families were hosted at a post-awards celebration in the El Centro home of Gretchen Laue, who serves as Extension's Imperial Valley representative.