CJSF DiGiovanna Award | California Scholarship Federation

CSF Congratulates Gianna Ramirez, the 2025-2026 CJSF DiGiovanna Award North Region Recipient

Mar 28, 2026

The California Junior Scholarship Federation DiGiovanna Memorial Award Essay Contest was established in memory of long-time CJSF adviser / CSF-CJSF Board Member Joanna DiGiovanna.

Gianna Ramirez has been recognized as the 2025-2026 DiGiovanna Award North Region Recipient for the exceptional writing of her essay and contribution to her community.

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Gianna Ramirez – Chapter 657jn Andros Karperos Middle School
Adviser Melissa Milligan
Principal Rocco Greco
Yuba City Unified School District

Through her experience as a volunteer at a Yuba Sutter Stand Down event Gianna “learned that community service does not always mean fixing large problems but instead helping one person at a time.” She found that helping put groceries in cars was a small act on her part that made a big impact on the individuals receiving the food.

That realization brought about her idea for a lunchtime game program to give students at her middle school something to do at lunchtime that would enable them to interact with others and fill the time with fun activities. Gianna wrote that “Middle school can be a tough time socially and having organized, positive activities during lunch could help students feel more included instead of isolated.”

Gianna is sure to make big contributions to the lives of others.

The DiGiovanna Memorial Award Essay Contest was established in memory of long-time CJSF adviser / CSF-CJSF Board Member Joanna DiGiovanna.

Mrs. DiGiovanna was a very dedicated teacher and CJSF adviser at Piute Middle School in Lancaster who was passionate about the CJSF members in her chapter as well as throughout California. She later served as a volunteer on the State Board of Directors for eight years as CJSF Vice President (South Central) and CJSF Registrar until her passing in June 2016.

California Junior Scholarship Federation 7th and 8th grade members are asked to write an essay that shares how one community service experience has impacted them personally. In addition, they are asked to suggest a service that could benefit their community or school in the future.

Each year there is one award Recipient in each region; each winning recipient will receive a $100 award.

CSF Congratulates Philip Miguel, the 2025-2026 CJSF DiGiovanna Award Central Region Recipient

Mar 22, 2026

The California Junior Scholarship Federation DiGiovanna Memorial Award Essay Contest was established in memory of long-time CJSF adviser / CSF-CJSF Board Member Joanna DiGiovanna.

Philip JR Miguel has been recognized as the 2025-2026 DiGiovanna Award Central Region Recipient for the exceptional writing of his essay and contribution to his community.

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Philip JR Miguel – Chapter 489jc Somerset Middle School
Adviser Monica Ortiz
Principal Scott Ferreira
Sylvan Union School District

Philip Miguel is the president of the CJSF chapter at Somerset Middle School. His adviser Monica Ortiz shared that he is always the first to come up with ideas on how to improve meetings, fundraising and learn more about higher education. He does an amazing job motivating other club members to get involved in school activities.

Philip’s family came to the U.S. 13 years ago. He loves his culture but regrets that he doesn’t speak Tagalog. He feels this barrier keenly. Volunteering at a Culture Week booth he realized that many of the students at his school have similar feelings about cultural barriers. Through is community service experiences Philip “learned that community service is not only an outlet to serve others, but an outlet to learn more about yourself.”

Philip knows his path towards success will have obstacles, but also knows he will be able to succeed with his personal qualities and support from family and friends.

The DiGiovanna Memorial Award Essay Contest was established in memory of long-time CJSF adviser / CSF-CJSF Board Member Joanna DiGiovanna.

Mrs. DiGiovanna was a very dedicated teacher and CJSF adviser at Piute Middle School in Lancaster who was passionate about the CJSF members in her chapter as well as throughout California. She later served as a volunteer on the State Board of Directors for eight years as CJSF Vice President (South Central) and CJSF Registrar until her passing in June 2016.

California Junior Scholarship Federation 7th and 8th grade members are asked to write an essay that shares how one community service experience has impacted them personally. In addition, they are asked to suggest a service that could benefit their community or school in the future.

Each year there is one award Recipient in each region; each winning recipient will receive a $100 award.

CSF Congratulates Navya Kaka, the 2025-2026 CJSF DiGiovanna Award South Region Recipient

Mar 16, 2026

The California Junior Scholarship Federation DiGiovanna Memorial Award Essay Contest was established in memory of long-time CJSF adviser / CSF-CJSF Board Member Joanna DiGiovanna.

Navya Kaka has been recognized as the 2025-2026 DiGiovanna Award South Region Recipient for the exceptional writing of her essay and contribution to her community.

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Navya Kaka – Chapter 1178 Day Creek Intermediate School
Adviser Yvette Schemenauer
Principal Jordyn Vander Laan
Etiwanda School District

An active member of the Rancho Cucamonga City Youth Leaders Navya worked on initiative last year to bring more mental health resources to middle schools. Navya wrote “I wanted to focus on adolescent mental health because I saw the difference between the resources high schools receive compared to what we had in middle school, and I knew I had to balance the scale.” Navya presented her proposal to Mayor Dennis Michael and the City Council.

As a result of Navya’s hours of research and work developing her proposal the city received a grant from Kaiser Permanente for mental health services at her school, Day Creek Intermediate.

Although she will be moving on to high school at the end of this school year Navya is proud of the work she did and hopes that students will take advantage of the mental health services offered.

The DiGiovanna Memorial Award Essay Contest was established in memory of long-time CJSF adviser / CSF-CJSF Board Member Joanna DiGiovanna.

Mrs. DiGiovanna was a very dedicated teacher and CJSF adviser at Piute Middle School in Lancaster who was passionate about the CJSF members in her chapter as well as throughout California. She later served as a volunteer on the State Board of Directors for eight years as CJSF Vice President (South Central) and CJSF Registrar until her passing in June 2016.

California Junior Scholarship Federation 7th and 8th grade members are asked to write an essay that shares how one community service experience has impacted them personally. In addition, they are asked to suggest a service that could benefit their community or school in the future.

Each year there is one award Recipient in each region; each winning recipient will receive a $100 award.

CSF Announces the 2025–2026 DiGiovanna Award Recipients

Mar 9, 2026

The California Scholarship Federation is pleased to recognize the recipients of the 2025–2026 DiGiovanna Awards. These students were selected for their thoughtful essays describing meaningful volunteer service and its impact on their communities.

North Region
Gianna Ramirez
Chapter 657n Andros Karperos Middle School
Adviser Melissa Milligan

Central Region
Philip JR Miguel
Chapter 489c Somerset Middle School
Adviser Monica Ortiz

Central Coast Region
Megan Louie
Chapter 1206cc Creekside Middle School
Adviser Sally Yoo

South Central Region
Alexandra Rachman-Chan
Chapter 1358sc Ridgecrest Intermediate School
Adviser Betsy Okamoto

South Region
Navya Kaka
Chapter 1178s Day Creek Intermediate School
Adviser Yvette Schemenauer

About the DiGiovanna Award
The DiGiovanna Award honors CSF students who demonstrate excellence in writing while reflecting on meaningful service experiences in their communities. Through their essays, recipients share how volunteer work has shaped their understanding of leadership, compassion, and civic responsibility.

Congratulations to these outstanding students, whose writing and service reflect the values and spirit of the California Scholarship Federation.

2026 Spring Conference & Awards Events

Mar 5, 2026

March 14 | South Awards Interviews & Ceremonies
Seymour Interview, Huhn Workshop and Student Summit, Advisers Workshop, Awards Ceremony
Location: Van Avery Prep – Chapter 868js
29851 Santiago Rd, Temecula | Map

Awards Activities Schedule

Seymour Interview: 8am – 12pm
Huhn Workshop: 10am – 11pm
Student Summit: 11am – 12pm only Huhn nominees
Lunch: 12pm – 1pm for all Seymour finalists, Huhn nominees, board members, and Di Giovanna recipients
Awards Ceremony: 1pm – 2pm including family and advisers