Nia attends Woodcreek High School.  She is a four-year CSF member, involved in many activities and fundraisers for the Tennis Shoe Drive, Christmas cards for retirement homes and the Shamrock Run.  Nia volunteers at the Aerospace Museum, Roseville Theater Arts Academy, Elks Lodge, Kiwanis Keys and National Honor Society.  Nia has been a part of the Speech and Debate, Woodcreek HS Black Student Union, American Association of the University Women, School Site Council, Drama, Concert Choir, and Link Crew.  She has many awards in speech and debate, DAR Good Citizen Award, ALA Girls State Delegate, and the National Hispanic Recognition and African American Recognition given by the College Board.

Although she has been accepted to several colleges, she would choose USC and major in Film and Cinema Production.

In Nia’s statement she says she was taught to serve others at a young age and learned from her parents and knows how important it is to be a part and see the outcome of selfless service.

Aja Brunet, Chapter 267 – El Dorado High School
Adviser Amy Linden
Principal Elizabeth Sisson
El Dorado Union High School District

Not only has Aja been a 4-year member of CSF at Eldorado High School, but was a member during her 7th and 8th grade years as well. Aja has been a part of many activities that includes making cards for veterans, hospital staff and military personnel. She has also been involved with CSF helping with Food, Shoe and Book Drives just this year alone. Aja codes, she is always looking for that next experience and just this last year she was enrolled at Harvard’s Scholars Online Coding II Academy. Honored by the College Board’s National Recognition for Small Town and Hispanic Students.

In Aja’s personal statement she says her soul belongs to nature. She has a passion for the outdoors connecting nature and science. She was accepted into a four-year study program with the Natural Resources Program that focuses on science and natural resources, advanced biology and chemistry. Aja has been a part of the Ski Team competing at Mammoth Mountain and holds leadership positions across the 4 years.

Aja has applied to 4 UC’s and 2 State Colleges. She would love to go to Cal Poly and major in Computer Science and wants to make sure coding is a part of it. Wherever Aja goes, she will make a great asset to their campus.

Madiha Khursheed, Chapter 1408 – Sierra Collegiate Academy
Adviser Stephanie Peterson
Principal Jennifer Hill
Rocklin Academy Family of Schools

Madiha has been involved in CSF and is the current president, but this is not her first rodeo, she held that position for 3 years. She speaks at leadership conferences, and completes service activities throughout the year. Her other roles at Western Sierra Collegiate Academy include Executive President, Class President for three years and the Varsity softball Team Captain last year. Madiha participates in Academic Decathlons, Scholastic Art and Writing, her Poetry was published in the National Library of Poetry and won several awards for her speeches. If she looks familiar, you may have seen her as the Miss Roseville Teen and then Miss California Junior Teen in 2020. Madiha has accomplished and has volunteered at 7 cups of Tea, has charted over 200 hours, attended all basketball games and practices to assist players that are injured. She has helped teach children Islam, feed the community and participated in the Islamic Outreach.

She hopes to major in Global Health and Public Health and would like to attend a UC or a state college.

Lastly, Madiha wrote that her playlist is now public. She has found that by the end of the day, you can’t become someone else’s playlist and you need to enjoy it. Keep making playlists!

Amit Kumthekar, Chapter 595 – Montgomery High School
Adviser Susan Farkas
Principal Adam Paulson
Santa Rosa City Schools

Amit likes to play Hockey.  In fact his team won the state championship. He attends Montgomery High School and has been in CSF since his sophomore year.  During his high school years he has been the founder and co-president of the STEMM Club and the president and captain for the debate club too! He was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and has made strides in not only bringing awareness to the disease but has dived into the research of genes and genes expression through Stanford University. 

He has to have some down time (his job) and he picks up the role of Director for Post Productions.  This is where he creates short films and advertisements for large audiences and fan bases.  He has produced promotional videos for Riot Games, Mercedes, Valorant and XSet just to name a few.  Amit says he found playing sports made him feel normal and found the badminton gym his freedom.

Amit will attend Stanford University in just a few short months.  He will major in pre-med, focusing on Molecular Biology.

Mia Victoria Martinelli, Chapter 1054 – Downieville High School
Adviser Amber Baca-Sainsbury
Principal James Berardi
Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District

For the past four years, Mia has been a member of CSF and has held offices each year for Downieville High School.  CSF fundraisers with Panda Express, Valentines projects, Cancer Awareness, Caroling for Cans, K-12 Cultural Awareness, International Women’s Day Fundraiser, and helped with the CSF student leadership conference. Mia has also held many leadership positions, as Mia currently serves as President of the Student Body, she is a band leader, and sits as committee chair through her high school years for Hispanic Heritage Month, Holiday on Main, Back to School Night, and Halloween Game Booths.   Mia was on the Girls Varsity Basketball, Boys Varsity Basketball, Girls Varsity Volleyball and now is a scoreboard conductor for Junior Basketball Games.  Mia also has been in drama since 2018 in roles for such greats, like Way Out West in a Dress, Little Women and coming soon to a theater near you, the Great Gatsby.   In addition to all of this, Mia is in a rock band called “Messes in Dresses” and has been seen on stage.  Her accolades are quite lengthy one page but covers all aspects of Mia’s high school endeavors in CSF, Basketball, Music, Drama, Fiber Arts, Spanish/Criminology, Honors US History, Dream Big Grant and Poetry.  

Looking forward, Mia will attend Middlebury College In Vermont and major in Interior Architecture and Interior design.

Mia has stated that we are responsible for shaping the environments we live in and will carry this vision and mission statement with her wherever she goes.   

Robert Nasanbat, Chapter 1408 – Western Sierra Collegiate Academy
Adviser Stephanie Peterson
Principal Jennifer Hill
Rocklin Academy Family of Schools

Being a part of CJSF, a spark was made when Robert entered high school and a new chapter began when he found out they did not have a CSF chapter.  A CSF member, co-founder and co-president for two years for Western Sierra Collegiate Academy, Robert has served in activities such as the Virtual Student Leadership Conference, helped in registration for this conference, Book Cart Exchange System and  Involved in the Teacher Appreciation project.  Robert has been an integral part of the Medical Outreach Club and Student Athletic Trainer since 2021.   Robert has also brought the American Red Cross Blood Drive to the school that started last year.  He is the team manager for the Varsity Volleyball team the last three years.  He has been recognized as the Sacramento Student Visionaries of the Year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  Robert was a District 1 Representative for Placer County Youth Commission, UC Davis Research Intern for the Yang Pollination Ecology Lab and volunteers for the Mercy General Hospital.  R

obert has applied to 20 colleges and has been waiting to make the final decision but knows he will major in Neuroscience. 

In his personal statement he found out early on how important community means and will carry that close as he moves to the next chapter.

Riley Pearmund, Chapter 1054 – Downieville High School
Adviser Amber Baca-Sainsbury
Principal James Berardi
Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District

A four-year member of CSF, currently at Downieville High School, where you will find Riley as this year’s CSF treasurer, Student Body treasurer, and also the Class President for 2023.  As a young child he was diagnosed with multiple disabilities that wreaked havoc on his education and confidence.  However, with support and hard work he started to excel, and community service became an avenue where he could thrive.  He has participated in the Spring Ski Trips, Mother’s Day Cancer Walk, Valentine’s Flower Sale, K-12 Cultural and Educational Event, and National Kindness Month.  He volunteered for the Alameda County Library, Yahoo for Good assisting the elderly with technology issues, and as a Children’s Storybook Contributor.  And let it be said that the Yuba Theatre has appreciated Riley’s light and sound technician skills over the past couple of years.  Riley has been a part of the Young Actors Theatre Camp for over 3 years, High School Drama Team, and the Journalism and Yearbook staff.  Riley has won awards in AP English, Drama, and Global Issues, has been a Gold Honor Roll recipient for all 4 years of High School, and will be the Salutatorian for 2023.  

Riley will be attending UC Santa Cruz in the fall as a Film & Digital Media major.

Nia Sanders, Chapter 1157 – Woodcreek High School
Adviser Stephanie McGrath
Principal Suanne Bell
Roseville Joint Union High School District

Nia attends Woodcreek High School.  She is a four-year CSF member, involved in many activities and fundraisers for the Tennis Shoe Drive, Christmas cards for retirement homes and the Shamrock Run.  Nia volunteers at the Aerospace Museum, Roseville Theater Arts Academy, Elks Lodge, Kiwanis Keys and National Honor Society.  Nia has been a part of the Speech and Debate, Woodcreek HS Black Student Union, American Association of the University Women, School Site Council, Drama, Concert Choir, and Link Crew.  Has many awards in speech and debate, DAR Good Citizen Award, ALA Girls State Delegate, and the National Hispanic Recognition and African American Recognition given by the College Board. Although she has been accepted to several colleges, she would choose USC and major in Film and Cinema Production.

In Nia’s statement she says she was taught to serve others at a young age and learned from her parents and knows how important it is to be a part and see the outcome of selfless service. 

Kevin Scanlan, Chapter 952 – Forest Lake Christian School
Adviser Scott Young
Principal Christy Aday 

Kevin is a three year member of CSF in his chapter at Forest Lake Christian School where he currently is the president. Throughout his time in CSF, Kevin has assisted with such activities as Operation Christmas Child, Can Food Drives, Compassion International Child Sponsorship and the Staff Appreciation Breakfast.  Kevin is involved with the Student Council, and has held offices every year.  Kevin has been a member of the Yearbook team and has  led the last 3 years as president. He has been a team member of the Varsity Track, Varsity Basketball and Varsity Golf.  He has been a part of several clubs:  Revival, Math and Chess.  In 2022, he began an internship for Kevin Kiley for congress and was awarded the 2023 CAGOP Lorelei Kinder Award.  Not only is Kevin a scholar, athlete but is a musician as well.  Kevin plays the piano, drums and can sing too!  

Kevin has applied to UCLA, Berkeley, Yale, Princeton, Georgetown and has been accepted at USC, and just this week got good news that Harvard and Princeton want him too, Kevin has a few more weeks to decide.  Kevin will major in Political Science.  Whichever one he chooses; they will be very lucky to get Kevin.

Haelie Tweet, Chapter 656 – Del Oro High School
Adviser Morgan Zerwas
Principal Kim Barry
Placer Union High School District

As president of her CSF chapter at Del Oro High School, Haelie has been an active member for the past three years. Haelie has been involved in many activities that include Letters to Seniors, volunteering for the Placer County Food Bank and Fundraisers.  She has worked on training horses, dressage, show-jumping, and cross country.  She holds First Violin 2nd stand in the Placer County Orchestra.  She is a team member of the Varsity Water Polo and leads as co-captain.  Haelie has been awarded the California Girls State Delegate for 2022 and National Merit of Scholarship Commended Student 2021.  Haelie also is a tutor and you will see her as the Swim Coach for the Loomis Basin Dolphins Swim Team. 

Haelie has applied to UCLA, MIT, and Purdue.   As of now, Purdue might be getting a great Aerospace Engineer.  Her dream job, working for NASA one day.  

Maria Celeste Zuniga-Sanchez, Chapter 380 – Portola Jr./Sr. High
Adviser Lori Marquette
Principal Sara Sheridan
Plumas Unified School District

A member of CSF all four years at Portola High School. Maria has success in leading the CSF Peer tutoring program.  Maria has also been the Student Body Representative for the PUSD Board Meetings and serves as a translator for the monthly meetings.  This last year, she has been actively designing and upgrading a City Park Project with her landscaping design.  Maria has volunteered for the Elks Lodge, Assist a Grad Night, Rotary Fly In Breakfast and cleaning up community parks.  You may even see her as a teacher’s assistant for opportunity this semester.

As a young child she moved to California and loved to explore the outdoors.  The one experience that shaped her future was the Plumas to Pacific Program which taught her about watersheds, the forest and how to respect where we live.

Maria has applied to University of San Francisco, Cal Poly, University of Reno and Oregon State to name a few.  If you ask her where she would like to spend the next four years, she would choose the University of San Francisco.  She will major in Environmental Engineering and would like to find the solution to all of our water problems.

ARCHBISHOP MITTY HIGH SCHOOL | WEEKLY UPDATE

California Scholarship Federation
SEYMOUR MEMORIAL AWARDS

On Saturday, March 18th, Zoe Phoenix and Marta Ruiz attended the Central Coast, California Scholarship Federation (CSF) Seymour Memorial Award Ceremony in Suisun City. As finalists for the award, Marta and Zoe each received a $2,000 award. 

After participating in a group interview, Zoe was selected as the Central Coast Region Seymour Memorial Award Recipient and received an additional $3,000 at the awards ceremony. Congratulations to Zoe and Marta!

Khalif has been a member of CSF AT Mission Vista High School is for the past for years. He has served as publicist, vice president, and this year as the president of his chapter. Some of their activities have included the Fallfest fundraiser, the candy leis graduation fundraiser, the CSF end of the year dinner and the Club Carnival fundraiser. In addition to CSF, Khalif is the Tedx Youth Program coordinator and speaker.

Search YouTube and you’ll find his TED talk speech called “Don’t Fall for the dark side of technology” about how the reality of AI is not just around the corner, but already in our hands. Khalif is also highly involved in HOSA the future Health Professionals club where he has assumed several roles including fundraising chairperson, treasurer and now president. He is also the current Vice president of the National Honor Society and the STEM club.

For college, Khalif hopes to attend either UCLA or UC San Diego where he will major in biological sciences with the goal of becoming a physician.

When he is home, he likes to unwind by spending time in the kitchen learning how to cook traditional Indian dishes.

Sydney Basulto, Chapter 1486 – Samueli Academy High School MUN
Adviser Dina Mahmood
Principal Lee Fleming
Orange County Department of Education

Encouraged by words from her CSF adviser, Sydney to immersed herself in leadership, taking on the role of class president for both her sophomore, and junior years, and is currently the ASB President of the executive board at Samueli Academy. Sydney is also the secretary for the E Sports club, was the vice president of the Pre-Med and Health Science Society and is currently a Link Crew Leader. Outside of school, Sydney has been highly involved with the American Red Cross Youth Services with over 100 hours of community service, organizing fundraisers, hosting donation drives, blood drives and assisting with training for certifications in CPR and first aid.

For college, Sydney is hoping to attend either Rochester Institute of Design, Chapman, or if selected, she would be thrilled to attend Brown University. She plans to major in computer science with a goal of blending her passion for game design and art. This passion has led her to competitive online gaming through E-sports and a game called overwatch where she is on the varsity team

Kevin Bender, Chapter 1341 – Rancho Christian School
Adviser Kristen McCracken
Principal Doris Jackson
Temecula Valley Unified School District

A member of CSF all four years at Rancho Christian High School, Kevin is the senior class president this year, and has held the positions of historian, event coordinator and served as a big brother during his four years. Kevin is also the co-founder of the chess club, and the co-founder and vice president of the fine food and film club. In sports, Kevin has been the captain of the football team for both his junior and his senior years and was recognized as the team offensive player of the year in baseball last year. Outside of school, Keving has earned the prestigious award of Eagle Scout with his project encompassing over 100 hours to restore the entrance sign and to beautify the surrounding landscape of his local Catholic church.

The next step in his future is to attend Claremont McKenna College where he will major in business with a long term goal of becoming a criminal Defense Attorney.

In his free time, Keving’s guilty pleasure is watching Breaking bad, and spending quality time with his friends and family camping.

Rebecca Bourne, Chapter 1411 – San Juan Hills High School
Adviser Jinwoo Lee
Principal Manoj Mahindrakar
Capistrano Unified School District

A CSF member for all four years of high school, Rebecca has been the president of San Juan Hills High School for the past two years. During her time, the chapter has been involved in numerous activities including Buddies and Blankets, Sidewalk Chalk Smiles, Feed the Hungry, Valentines Bags for Children at Risk, and arranged other groups to work at the local food bank. Outside of CSF, Rebecca is the president of the pink ribbon club, which supports breast cancer awareness in various ways in the community such as by creating holiday care boxes, school supply kits and letter writing for families receiving assistance. She has also coordinated the pink-out tailgate and fundraiser, designed the club logo and even donated her own hair for cancer patients. Rebecca is also the president of the campus club Just Serve, coordinating over 400 students to prepare and serve meals to the homeless. Outside of school Rebecca also finds time to serve as the president of her church’s youth group.

College plans will take her to BYU where she plans to major in accounting. 

For fun, Rebecca has been writing novels since she was 10.

Mina Ho, Chapter 801 – Pacifica High School
Adviser Zsolt Girba
Principal Steve Osborne
Garden Grove Unified School District

Serving as secretary for this year’s CSF chapter at Pacifica High School, Mina has been a member for the past three years and has been the event coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Walk, the event chairperson for the Bolsa Chica Wetlands Restoration project, and the supervisor for the Shipley Nature Center Restoration Service project. Outside of CSF, Mina is the president of National Alliance on Mental Illness club, in an effort to reduce the stigma of mental health issues and to offer support for those in need. Mina is also the current activities chairperson for Project Vietnam, a non-profit, humanitarian organization working to provide medical assistance to families in Vietnam and underserved communities. In athletics, Mina has played soccer as well, earning MVP during 11th grade.

In the Fall, Mina has hopes of attending either UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Berkeley or UC Riverside, where she plans to major in Bio Chem, go into Pre Med and plan a future career as a pediatrician. In her time away from the demands of school,

Mina has developed a new hobby of taking .5 pictures, which looks a bit like a selfie with a fisheye lens perspective. It looks like fun, but you’ll need an iPhone 12 or later to try it yourself.

Angela Mariah, Hughes Chapter 1341 – Rancho Christian School
Adviser Kristen McCracken
Principal Doris Jackson

A three year member of Rancho Christian high School’s CSF Chapter, Angela served as the secretary in 2021. Outside of CSF, Angela is also a 4-year member of NHS, a three year member of  Rancho Christian Women’s Leadership, and a four year member of the Student Ambassador Leadership. She currently serves as the ASB Marketing director this year, and served as  the Junior Class President last year. With all of these activities and positions of leadership, Angela has maintained perfect attendance in high school. In athletics, Angela lettered in volleyball, basketball and track and field, was the team captain in volleyball and track and won MVP in volleyball.

Her college plans are made with her decision to attend Point Loma Nazarene in the Fall to major in Business administration.

If you happen to be in the stands to watch her basketball or volleyball teams play, you will instantly recognize Angela as the one dancing not just because she has to dance, but to lower stress during high intensity games.

Khalif Kamil, Chapter 1399 – Mission Vista High School
Adviser Joy Straub
Principal Jeremy Walden
Vista Unified School District

Mission Vista High School is where Khalif has been a member of CSF for the past for years where he has served as publicist, vice president, and this year as the president of his chapter. Some of their activities have included the Fallfest fundraiser, the candy leis graduation fundraiser, the CSF end of the year dinner and the Club Carnival fundraiser. In addition to CSF, Khalif is the Tedx Youth Program coordinator and speaker. Search YouTube and you’ll find his TED talk speech called “Don’t Fall for the dark side of technology” about how the reality of AI is not just around the corner, but already in our hands. Khalif is also highly involved in HOSA the future Health Professionals club where he has assumed several roles including fundraising chairperson, treasurer and now president. He is also the current Vice president of the National Honor Society and the STEM club.

For college, Khalif hopes to attend either UCLA or UC San Diego where he will major in biological sciences with the goal of becoming a physician.

When he is home, he likes to unwind by spending time in the kitchen learning how to cook traditional Indian dishes.

Ashley Lam, Chapter 1313 – Segerstrom High School
Adviser Kim Nguyen
Principal David Casper
Santa Ana Unified School District

For the past two years Ashley has been the president of Segerstrom High School’s highly active CSF chapter in Santa Ana and has been a member every semester in high school. During her time, she has helping numerous activities such as food supply drives, Trick or Treat coin collection for UNICEF, Holiday Cards for the Ronald McDonald House, school supply drives plus so much more. Outside of CSF, Ashley has also donated over 200 hours of community service through Key Club, where she has been the president since 11th grade. She is also the current president of the National Honor Society, and Project Planet A. Other activities she is involved with include School Site Council, the JPL Open-Source Collaboration Project and the Vietnamese Student Association.

As a dual enrollment student through Santa Ana College, Ashley will have her Associate Degree in biology by this coming June.

Wherever life takes her, Ashley is sure to be a success.

Alyssa Camille Tang, Chapter 920 – University High School
Adviser Felicia Rohrer Ng
Principal Kevin Astor
Irvine Unified School District

Serving as the president for the past two years of University High School’s active CSF chapter, Alyssa is a three-year member. She has been Involved in many community service events ranging from Halloween Candy drives, to the Beyond Blindness Education Toy drive, and numerous fundraisers from Panda Express to Boba sales, and much more. In addition to CSF, Alyssa is founder, executive director and editor in chief of Eunoia Global Health, an online platform for youth to educate and advocate for public health issues. She is also co-president of the UHS National History Day, the Sword and Shield Journalism Club editor, the co-president of Grey Matter, a Youth movement against Alzheimer’s, plus so much more.

College plans will include either attending a UC, or possibly Stanford, Harvard or Yale where she plans to major in the History of Science and delve into a possible career of research and policy development. In what little spare time she has,

Alyssa loves visiting museums and has even made her way to the Berlin Wall.

Tiffany Tapia Miranda, Chapter 378 – Chula Vista Senior High School
Adviser Gavin Ching
Principal Julio Alcala
Sweetwater Union School District

A member of CSF all four years of high school, Tiffany is the current vice president at Chula Vista Senior High School. She has been involved with several fundraisers including the Kalo Boba, Chipotle, and the Charleston Wrap online fundraiser among others. Outside of CSF, Tiffany is the co-founder and co-president of the school’s National Honor Society, and a member of various clubs such as the advanced string orchestra club, and MECHA. In sports, she excels in tennis with such accolades as the MVP award for two years and serving as the captain for the past three seasons.

For her college plans she is excited to attend Johns Hopkins in the Fall to major in neuroscience, attend med school and pursue a career as an anesthesiologist.

When life gets too busy, Tiffany immerses herself in the world of TikTok and her favorite telenovela.

Kaitlyn Wu, Chapter 1293 – Great Oak High School
Adviser Diana Arban
Principal Aimee Ricken
Temecula Valley Unified School District

The CSF President this year, and the treasurer last year, Kaitlyn has been a four year member of Great Oak High School’s CSF chapter with several key activities including the Red Cross food drive, and the Spectacular prom, an event for special ed students. Outside of CSF, Kaitlyn is the chairman of the Asissteens League, a volunteer organization with the goal of raising money to fund ongoing philanthropic programs to benefit the community, including military care packages, school supplies and backpacks for underprivileged students. Kaitlyn is also the vice president of NHS, vice president of Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society, and has served as secretary, then vice president and now president of the Red Cross Club involved in such activities as food drives, blanket crafting events plus so much more. Oh, there’s more. Kaitlyn is also the current president of the Helping hands Learning club which is a tutoring program for local title 1 middle school students in STEM and social studies. She is also vice president of the BioPower Club.

Her college choices are many, including UCLA, Yale, and many other UC’s and CSU’s. Her major will be Cognitive Science with her long term goal of becoming a psychiatrist or a pediatrician. 

Kaitlyn likes to crochet to relax. Her specialty; crocheting sweaters for cats.