Pasadena Unified students making headlines (Photos – PUSD)
Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) students made headlines recently with a rare congressional honor and scholarships.
By News Desk
Congressional Silver Medal
Sophia Chou, a sophomore at Marshall Fundamental School, is the recipient of the U.S. Silver Medal Congressional Award.
Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-Pasadena) presented the medal to Chou who completed over 200 hours of volunteer service (earned in many places but mostly the Huntington Library), 100 hours of personal development (acting, writing, dance), 100 hours of physical fitness (ice skating), and an eight-page paper on France’s social, cultural, political, and economic aspects ranging from ancient times to the modern world. Chou completed all this over the span of 12 months.
The Congressional Award is the highest honor awarded by Congress to American youths (14-23 years old). To receive the honor, Sophia was joined by her family (shown on the left) and her counselor, Maria Torres (not pictured).
Rep. Judy Chu with Sophia and her family (Photo – PUSD)
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Linked Learning Student of the Year
Christina Leyva, a senior in the Arts, Entertainment and Media Academy at John Muir Early College Magnet High School, was one of eight students in the State of California to earn the Linked Learning Alliance Student of the Year Scholarship. Christina is a recipient of the newly-created award and a 2023 Posse Scholar. She is in the Puente program, has taken several Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and has already earned approximately 30 college credits through Muir’s Early College programs. As a high school athlete and leader, she is involved in water polo, swimming, and marching band and is the ASB secretary. Christina will attend Dickinson College and plans to pursue a career as a speech-language pathologist.
Christina Leyva (Photo – PUSD)
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Rose Scholarships
Eight outstanding Pasadena Unified high school seniors have been selected as 2023 Rose Scholars by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association. This year, the program awarded a total of $20,000 in scholarships to eight students who submitted creative pieces that reflects their future dreams, goals, and aspirations. Applicants were also asked to obtain a recommendation from a teacher, coach, counselor, or community member. Their hard work and dedication have paid off – all have been accepted to excellent universities.
- Arleth Angeles – Marshall Fundamental Secondary School
- Stephanie Barcenas – Marshall Fundamental Secondary School
- Naomi Blas – John Muir High School.
- Giselle Carlos – Marshall Fundamental Secondary School
- Katelyn Castillo – Marshall Fundamental Secondary School
- Valeria Hernandez – Marshall Fundamental Secondary School
- Amina Malone – Marshall Fundamental Secondary School
- Diana Sanchez – Rose City High School
Read their bios here.
(L-R) Back: Amina Malone, Katelyn Castillo, Diana Sanchez. Front: 2023 ROSE Scholars, Arleth Angeles, Naomi Blas, Valeria Hernandez, Stephanie Barcenas. (Not Pictured: Giselle Carlos).
Source: PUSD. Edited by Ann Hunnewell
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