RRPFI 2018 Scholars

Andy Jin

$7000 Recipient
Westlake High School
Stanford University

Beyond an exceptional academic record, what strikes teachers most is the genuine curiosity and diligence that Andy Jin possesses. He has turned academic excellence into leadership opportunities, serving as founder of the data science club, president of the computer science club, president of the speech and debate club, and treasurer of the math club. Andy has held state and regional offices for Future Business Leaders of America, including leading 7,500 student members in California, received a Southern California Company of the Year award for Junior Achievement, and participated in a data mining internship at the University of California, Santa Barbara. An alumnus of the Reagan Foundation’s Student Leadership Program, Andy launched Hand in Hand, an effort that has fostered learning opportunities for migrant students.

Kevin Garrett

$5000 Recipient
Newbury Park High School
Brigham Young University

Kevin Garrett is a scholar athlete who leads in the classroom, on the court, and in the pool. Co-captain of both the volleyball and water polo teams, Kevin received seven scholar-athlete awards and was identified as a “triple threat” – an athlete with a high GPA. Academically, one recommender notes his critical thinking skills and ability to work well with others. Kevin possesses a strong work ethic and excels at physics. Deeply rooted in his faith, Kevin’s final Eagle Scout project resulted in the creation of an Adaptive Surf Camp, which he has run for nearly five years, including planning, recruiting and training volunteers, and assisting the athletes.

Matthew Lee

$5000 Recipient
Oak Park High School
Brown University

As a teacher noted, Matthew Lee is gifted in math and science, but is also equally strong in the humanities, including music and literature. Possessing kindness and generosity of spirit, Matthew is a leader of Science Olympiad and Future Business Leaders of America. He excels both on the tennis court and behind the piano keys. This future professional in the medical field is well on his way, with hundreds of volunteer hours logged at UCLA Immuno-Oncology Laboratory, a medical center, and a rehab facility. Matthew is president of Oak Park High School’s Technology Student Association, as well as the state-wide vice president.

Sarah Taketa

$5000 Recipient
Newbury Park High School
University of Southern California

Sarah Taketa is a varsity athlete, a youth coach, a campus leader, and an innovative and impactful community leader. An award-winning volleyball captain, Sarah also has served as president of the California Scholarship Federation, regional head coordinator for Special Olympics, vice president of the National Honor Society, and president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. After completing the Reagan Foundation’s Student Leadership Program, Sarah launched “Teens Teach Tech,” which has served more than 50 senior citizens. She regularly draws on her own experiences to inspire those around her.

Skyler Martinez

$4000 Recipient
Royal High School
Lehigh University

Skyler Martinez is an advocate and influencer whose contributions to school and community are numerous. A well-rounded scholar, Skyler is active in the STEM science club and was the Interact Club’s Rotary student of the year. She has taken initiative to provide opportunities for fellow students, such as orchestrating guest speakers and public service announcements. Recognizing low enrollment by Hispanic students in advanced courses, Skyler led intentional efforts to conduct outreach that yielded increased participation and county-wide attention. She has volunteered as a guitar instructor and translator for Syrian refugee youth, earning her the Community Leader of the Year award.

Mallorie Mehrali

$4000 Recipient
Adolfo Camarillo High School
University of Southern California

Mallorie Mehrali s identified by one recommender as a “servant leader” whose contributions to school and community have been vast and contagious, including Associated Student Body, Junior Statesman of America, and volunteer efforts in the county and abroad. By reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and an inspirational quote over the school intercom, Mallorie has a positive impact on others each and every day. After participating in the Reagan Foundation’s Student Leadership Program, she implemented new anti-bullying initiatives and kindness campaigns at school. In process to receive her Gold Award from the Girl Scouts, Mallorie received the 2018 Youth of the Year Award for the City of Camarillo’s Chamber of Commerce.

Emily Ramirez

$4000 Recipient
Royal High School
Westmont College

Emily Ramirez ranks #2 in academics among a class of nearly 500 students. Outside of stellar academics, Emily serves as vice president of the drama club, secretary of the science club, and treasurer of the academic decathlon team. Volunteering for the American Legion earned her the Scholastic Excellence Award and an Outstanding Service recognition. Emily also serves as cadet captain for the Reserve Officer Training Corps.. and was appointed by the Mayor for four consecutive terms to the Simi Valley Youth Council. As part of her Girl Scout Gold Star project, Emily founded Students Against Destructive Decisions at school.

Morgan DeVico

$2500 Recipient
Trinity Pacific Christian School
Pepperdine University

Morgan DeVico’s character is what first strikes others. Qualities such as perseverance and empathy make her an excellent communicator, volunteer, and student leader. At school, Morgan is an award-winning pre-trial attorney for mock trial, and also volunteers for mock trial tournaments and as a coach for attorneys at other schools. An honors student, she balances academics, volunteer service, music, and dance with part-time jobs. Within the areas of literature, faith, and dancing, Morgan serves the community – largely teaching young people, which drives her desire to become a teacher.

Marissa Huang

$2500 Recipient
Westlake High School
University of California, Los Angeles

Drawing from President Reagan’s legendary optimism, Marissa Huang is beloved by both teachers and students. With humility and a knack for working well with others, she has held leadership roles in Associated Student Government, Health Occupations Students of America, National Honor Society, and National Eco-Schools Club. Marissa is a student representative for school board meetings and is an articulate communicator. A pianist, runner, and volunteer for faith- and community-based groups, Marissa’s primary focus is on a career in medicine, serving as a hospital volunteer and doctor’s office intern.

Tam Le

$2500 Recipient
Newbury Park High School
University of California, Santa Barbara

In the words of one recommender, Tam Le is “open minded, friendly, and a strong role model.” Staying composed when facing a challenge and earning the trust of peers are just a couple of ways she succeeds in leadership. A basketball star and award-winning mock trial attorney, Tam also helps to lead Health Occupations Students of America and excels in the study of languages. She has volunteered in a variety of capacities at home and internationally. As a leader for the Key Club and the Interact Club, Tam has caught the attention of community leaders who applaud her organization and initiative.

Roselyn Romero

$2500 Recipient
Channel Islands High School
California Polytechnic Univ., San Luis Obispo

Roselyn Romero is a community volunteer who has balanced school while working part time. She has been active in the California Scholarship Federation, mock trial, track and field, and Associated Student Body. Elected to serve as lieutenant governor for Key Club, Roselyn blossomed as a public speaker and a leader who inspires others – notably for a donation drive for an emergency shelter. Above all, she has made a name for herself as a journalist, serving as editor in chief for her school’s newspaper and founder of the broadcast club. In particular, Roselyn penned a poignant story about the impact of the Thomas Fire on the local community.

Allison Yuan

$1500 Recipient
Santa Susana High School
University of California, Berkeley

Allison Yuan’s interests and skills are broad – ranging from foreign language to dance and music to martial arts. Balancing academics and extracurricular activities, Allison also was a steadfast volunteer for the Simi Valley Library, serving as a homework helper and patiently working with elementary-aged students. However, she is most notably driven by passion and the pursuit of knowledge that overflows from the classroom. She is founder and president of school chapters of Girls Excelling in Mathematics and Science and the American Society of Civil Engineers, and received a certificate of merit from the Ventura Chapter of the Society of Women Engineers.

Riti Hegde

$1000 Recipient
Oak Park High School
Vanderbilt University

Riti Hegde has been lauded for leadership skills since her freshman year of high school, and teachers noted that those leadership skills had only gotten stronger since then. Captain of the academic decathlon team and varsity attorney for mock trial, Riti is an honors student, a poet, a foreign language tutor, and a taekwondo black belt. Most notably, she founded a group at her school that uses creative platforms to spread awareness and tolerance about various social issues. Under her leadership, the Young Social Activists Club planned numerous fundraising events and speaking engagements to highlight a variety of social causes. Riti hopes to extend her advocacy in college and beyond and plans to draw from President Reagan’s legendary adeptness at diplomacy in doing so.

Regina Hernandez

$1000 Recipient
Santa Paula High School
University of California, Davis

Regina Hernandez works tirelessly to serve her school and local community. The list of organizations for which she served is lengthy, and primarily stem from a formal role as president of the Key Club. Regina has a passion for law and criminal justice and has put in numerous hours pursuing those interests through internships, job shadow opportunities, and an intensive law and trial program at Stanford University. After participating in the Reagan Foundation’s Student Leadership Program, she used personal experiences to address an issue deeply affecting young people today: bullying. She spearheaded events for an Anti-Bullying Week and Random Acts of Kindness Day.

Amogha Koka

$1000 Recipient
Oak Park High School
University of California, Los Angeles

According to Amogha Koka, “leadership includes having initiative, setting a good example, and inspiring [others].” Amogha certainly meets these objectives at school and in the community. An exceptional scholar, she has a deep-seeded passion for biology, and leads within that subject area as co-president of Health Occupations Students of America, fostering collaboration over competition. Outside of school, Amogha logged countless hours volunteering for Adventist Health Simi Valley. Finally, paying homage to her culture, she has excelled at Indian classical dance and Indian vocal music.

Amber Kushwaha

$1000 Recipient
Villanova Preparatory School
University of La Verne

What defines Amber Kushwaha is her compassion for others. In roles such as president of the Associated Student Body and president of the junior class, Amber used a philosophy of outreach and love to have an impact on peers and the school community every day. She also has played an active role in the art club, California Scholarship Federation, and National Honor Society. Despite facing significant challenges at home requiring her to support her family in very practical and time-intensive ways, Amber has excelled as an exceptional scholar leader.