2016 RESDC Scholarship Award Recipients

NICHOLAS A. CARUANA; sponsored by his grandmother, Henrietta Caruana. Nicholas graduated from Mater Dei Catholic High School in Chula Vista, CA with a 4.16 GPA; ranked 17 of 165. In his applicant’s statement Nicholas says that he has always loved exploration, and has always known he wanted to learn about what made the world work. In high school, his understanding of the human body deepened through Biology and Anatomy classes, which prompted him to make it the focus of his career goals. He plans to major in Cell and Molecular Biology at Grand Valley State University in Michigan, in order to research diseases and their possible cures. Nicholas has volunteered more than 350 hours as a laboratory intern at UCSD, as a representative of Matter Dei in the Science Academy, a curriculum designed for students who are passionate about following a career in the sciences. There he developed his artistic abilities and was awarded the Senior Class Standout for Most Talented for his artwork. Some of his volunteer work took place at his former middle school as a teacher’s aide. This service has fostered his passion for caring for others. The service of others will always come first in his life.

RACHAEL DANIELLE HIGGINS; sponsored by her grandfather, Timothy W. Tillyer. Rachael graduated from Orange Glen High School in Escondido, CA with a 3.69 GPA; ranked 40 of 446. In her applicant’s statement Rachael says, while growing up, her family always insisted on the importance of hard work and determination in the pursuit of her goals. From her community she learned that giving back to those who have less will make their lives, as well as her own, much better. As a young girl, she helped the elderly and homeless through volunteering at lunches and dinners in her church, as well as playing her flute at retirement homes. The happier the audience looked, the happier Rachael felt! Her family and her community involvement have played a very important role in her desire to help people, as well as her decision to pursue a career in nursing. As a child, Rachael would entertain her great-grandmother by playing the flute for her. She passed away at the age of 97. She was a nurse and she loved to help people. Rachael’s great-grandmother is her true inspiration for becoming a nurse.

MARA VIRGINIA MUÑOZ HUGHES; sponsored by her grandfather, Andrew G Schneider. Mara graduated from Hughes Nobel Academy in San Diego, CA with a 4.0 GPA; ranked 1 of 1. In her applicant’s statement Mara says, she is a home-schooled senior who loves animals, writing, and all things creative. She has a passion for promoting environmental conservation, sustainability, food industry reform, animal welfare, and human rights. In more recent years, Mara became a 4-H member. She began showing and training dogs through 4-H and the American Kennel Club. She started singing at open mics and talent shows and she also has a passion for acting. She plans to study arts, communications, the environment, politics, diplomacy, peace, justice, and world cultures in college. Mara’s top school choices are: Chapman University in Orange County, the University of San Diego, and the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. All in all, Mara is looking forward to attending college, pursuing academic excellence, opportunities for societal contribution, and ultimately fulfilling her goal of improving the lives of those around her and making the world a better place.

JULIANNA PEARL QSAR; sponsored by her grandmother, Dorothy Peripoli. Julianna graduated from Valhalla High School in El Cajon, CA with a 3.46 GPA; ranked 163 of 477. In her applicant’s statement Julianna tells us that following in her big brother’s footsteps in sports, she discovered and fell deeply in love with basketball. All the years during her youth playing basketball led up to her junior year in high school. Everything felt natural. But the first basketball game of her junior year felt different; she couldn’t pass the ball and she couldn’t dribble. Instead, she lay face up on the court surrounded by more than ten pairs of sympathetic eyes staring at her. The gym was still, leaving only the sound of her crying to fill in the silence. Her dad carried her to the bench where she noticed that her right knee was twice the size of her left knee. The prognosis was that she may never recover to the condition she was before her knee injury. After surgery, she went through nine months of physical therapy and hard work, and was able to recover to 93% strength in her knee. In Julianna’s own words, “basketball never left me! It allowed me to take a step back and appreciate the people I have in my life. It showed me that I am strong and capable of anything.” Julianna traveled to Malawi, Africa, the warm heart of Africa, which consisted of red muddy earth, few complexes, a scarcity of resources, but an enormous amount of love. This two-week visit led her to take on leadership roles she never before thought she would be comfortable doing. Julianna is incredibly proud of this experience, and it has allowed her to grow as a leader in her community.

PAIGE DANIELLE TOLLE; sponsored by her grandfather, Gary “Mike” Treinen. Paige graduated from Santana High School in Santee, CA with a 3.89 GPA; ranked 61 of 298. In her applicant’s statement Paige says she knew that entering her senior year, just having lost her mom to cancer in July 2015, was going to be an emotional and tough year. Through this experience Paige has not only gained responsibilities, but also matured in ways that many of her peers may never achieve. At 16 years of age, she had no choice but to grow up fast. Her dad was now a single parent so she decided to get a job as a hostess at a local restaurant near her home to cover her own expenses and help save up for college. It was hard for Paige to juggle work, school, and cheerleading, but somehow she managed to do it, and she knew how appreciative her dad was. When her mom was around, Paige used to be selfish and only did things that benefitted herself; she knew she needed to get rid of her childish ways. Even though her mom is no longer physically with Paige, she is still guiding her spiritually.

Paige has volunteered and mentored at cheer camp for elementary school-aged children. She has also been a freshman orientation leader. She also volunteered with extracurricular activities like Associated Student Body, Ecology club, and office assistant in the school’s Attendance Office. She played soccer and won California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) her sophomore year. All the while maintaining a 3.5 or higher GPA. For her selfless giving through so many activities we have also selected Paige to be awarded the $500 “LaRue Pierce Community Service Award.” This award was Established in 2014, honoring the memory of LaRue Pierce, RESDC Director and Scholarship Chair during the first 18 years of RESDC’s Scholarship Program, and her spirit of community service.

Congratulations to all our participants. The San Diego County retirees should be very proud of their children and grandchildren, and their scholastic, civic, and social accomplishments. Our graduates’ strength and passion in pursuit of their career goals reassures our community of the possibility for a brighter future. Best wishes to all for continued success. Our deepest appreciation and credit for the Scholarship Program’s success goes to the Selection Committee, whose independent and confidential effort ensures the quality of unbiased results. We are most proud and honored to have them as part of the RESDC team.