Eric Antonio Arevalo
Damien High School
University of Notre Dame
There is little doubt that Eric Arevalo will accomplish great things in his lifetime. He graduated with a 4.3 weighted GPA from Damien High School and was the Associate Student Body President, Team Captain of the Wrestling Team, and President of the Spanish Club. Eric also received numerous awards such as being named both the top student from the Science and Math department, AP Scholar, and Scholar Athlete of the Year.
He plans to double major in Pre-Medicine and Spanish at the University of Notre Dame. His decision was motivated by two factors – his personal struggle with Tourette’s syndrome and family trips to Nicaragua where he witnessed abject poverty first-hand. Both sets of experiences made him want to become “a doctor who volunteers part-time for those who lack medical insurance, adequate money, or a sufficient grasp of the English language.”
Lilian Mash
Woodrow Wilson High School
Pasadena Community College
Lilian Mash possesses the consciousness, passion, and fierceness of a proud Chicana. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, where she was President of W.I.S.E. (Wilson undocumented Immigrant Students for higher Education). Lilian was also active in MECHA, Latinas Unidas, and student government. She is an avid pianist, who plays for her church and volunteers to teach others.
Lilian is committed to serving the El Sereno community. In her application, she states, “My community is a part of my familia, and the problems of my gente are my problems as well.” After graduating, she plans to become a social worker in order to work with the government to provide aid to low income individuals in need of medical assistance, housing, and food stamps.
Bernie Kuan
Yale University
Engineering
Bernie Kuan has varied interests and dreams, but the capabilities to achieve all of them. He graduated with a 4.4 weighted GPA from Mark Keppel High School, ranking 4th in his graduating class. Besides being a stellar student, Bernie was active in school; he was Team Captain of the Varsity Tennis Team, Co-President of Student Advocacy for Voting Empowerment, and Vice-President of the Chinese Culture Club.
Bernie plans to major in Engineering at Yale University because he believes the progression of humanity lies in the hands of engineers. He is drawn to the potential of isolating cancer cells, building artificial intelligence, and building materials that reduce pollution. He hopes to get involved with Engineering Without Borders at Yale. Bernie is not certain which profession he will eventually choose – law, policy, medicine, or engineering. However, as the first son of an immigrant family, he knows he will always find a way to serve the immigrant community. He hopes to continue working with the Chinese America Citizen’s Alliance to provide access to disadvantage immigrants.
Sarah Eunha Oh
Mark Keppel High School
University of the Pacific
Sarah Oh has an unshakeable, worldly view about her calling in life. She graduated from Mark Keppel High School with numerous distinctions such as being named an AP Scholar and National Merit Commended Student. During her years at Mark Keppel, she served as President of Crown and Sceptre, was active in student government, and participated in Swimming and Waterpolo. She also worked part-time while juggling her academics, leadership positions, and sports.
Declining offers by other prestigious schools, Sarah decided to attend the University of the Pacific because she plans to obtain a Doctorate in Dentistry within 5 years. She eventually wants to open her own practice and travel to developing countries to provide free dental care. For example, she hopes “to help children with cleft pallet be able to smile confidently.” Much of her inspiration has come from humanitarian and missionary trips to Mexico and China with her church.
2008 Recipients
Jack Wen-Jye Chu
Jack Chu personifies the qualities the Jeff Yang Scholarship hopes to promote: a drive to always better oneself, commitment to serve others, and appreciation for people and things in our lives. He was Valedictorian of his graduating class from Mark Keppel High School. In addition to excelling academically, Jack was active on and off campus as President of Crown & Scepter, Co-President of Student Advocacy for Voting Empowerment, and Chief Facilitator for the City of Monterey Park's Harmony Festival. It was, however, Jack's commitment and love for his immigrant parents, who have struggled to provide for him and his siblings, that made him stand out above the competitive applicant pool. Jack will be attending the University of Pennsylvania, where he plans to major in Psychology, Business or Internal Studies. He hopes to eventually become a financial advisor that provides services, advice, and resources to Asian immigrant families, many who lack basic financial knowledge.
Raquel Gomez
Raquel Gomez has an unwavering determination to make life better for her family and for the Latino community in general. With the intention of majoring in Legal Studies and Political Science, Raquel will attend the University of California at Berkeley. She hopes to eventually "become a lawyer for the people, a spokeswoman for those who feel that they do not have a voice in this country." Advocating for immigrant rights, irrespective of ethnicity, she intends to help undocumented individuals find a path to citizenship. Raquel also understands that, with higher education, she will be better able to take care of her mother and three sisters. Examining her past accomplishments, we have little doubt she will succeed in all she tries. Raquel graduating at the top of her class from Azusa High School with a 4.32 weighted GPA.
Gabriela Monico
Gabriela Monico has overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles through handwork and perseverance. Arriving from El Salvador merely five years ago, she faced enormous language and cultural barriers. Yet, she met those challenges with the same strength that she saw everyday in her father as he provided for and raised Gabriela and her brother on his own. Despite those impediments, including her AB540 status, Gabriela graduated at the top of her class from Azusa High School. She has also won numerous awards, including First Place for the Rotary Club's Speech Contest and a Gold Medal in an Academic Decathlon. She will be attending the University of California at Berkeley, majoring in Legal Studies. Her dream is to become a judge one day.
Diane Nguyen
Diane Nguyen embodies the hopes and aspirations of her Vietnamese refugee parents, who escaped the turmoils of Vietnam by traversing the waters of the Pacific Ocean for two years in a small wooden boat. We believe she will not let them down. Diane graduated from West Covina High School with a weighted GPA of 4.49, while juggling numerous activities such as being President of the Interact Rotary Club, Vice-President of the National Honor Society, and Captain of the Varsity Tennis and Badminton teams. She will be attending the University of California at Los Angeles and majoring in Environmental Science. Diane hopes to help find a way to provide affordable and clean water for everyone.