Meet the 2022 Scholars

Justin kawaguchi

Alumnus of the year
2017 scholar
2021 university of southern california

Justin Kawaguchi was a 2017 Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Scholar from Newbury Park High School, earning a $3,500 scholarship toward the University of Southern California, where he graduated in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science degree in global health. During high school, Justin served as class president, vice president of Future Business Leaders of America, secretary of student government, and as a member of the Kiwanis and Key Clubs. Founder of the Japanese Culture Club and co-president of the Junior Youth Buddhists Association, Justin was recently recognized as one of 30 Changemakers Under 30 by the Japanese American National Museum for his leadership building inclusive spaces within the Japanese American community.

catherine xu

$7000 Recipient
westlake high School
university of southern California

Catherine has been recognized by the superintendent as making “ongoing contributions to the District will have an impact for years and years to come.” At school, she is a Future Business Leaders of America officer, president of the Science National Honor Society, president of the Green Alliance, captain of the lacrosse team, and founder and president of Critical Conversations. Catherine’s level of civic engagement is more extensive as a high school senior than most adults, including Governmental Affairs and Policy Director for the California Association of Student Councils, Chair of the Thousand Oaks Youth Commission, Executive Director of Empowerment Collective, Policy Director and District Leader of Diversify our Narrative, and Founder and Director of Ventura County Youth Network, among others. As a legislative intern and a member of the Young Legislators Program, she has been instrumental in the passage of several legislative bills. Notably, she is chair of the Student District Advisory Committee for the Conejo Valley Unified School District. From Westlake High School, Catherine will attend the University of Southern California. 

dylan jin-ngo

$7000 Recipient
the thatcher School
harvard university

Dylan is described as a well-rounded powerhouse. Class president, cross country captain, and co-head of the Debate Society, Dylan is a researcher, author, and presenter in the area of astronomy, head of the conservative club and co-head of the community service program. He is the founder and president of Youth Investors Corp., a leading financial literacy nonprofit in California with partnerships with 11 Boys and Girls Clubs. He is the youngest professionally designated Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor in the nation, manages his own investment fund, has interned at local investment firms in Orange County, and has helped legislate California's first financial literacy bill. An honor council panelist at The Thacher School, Dylan will attend Harvard University in the fall.

Anna li

$5000 Recipient
newbury park High School
University of pennsylvania

One recommender summarizes Anna’s qualifications very well: “A scholar, an athlete, an artist, and a dedicated community volunteer, she has met every challenge and excelled at every step.” President of the Key Club and National Honor Society officer, Anna is captain of the varsity tennis team and co-founder of the school's Habitat for Humanity chapter. Through MathCounts and CodeNation, she coaches middle school programs for math competitions and computer science. Anna has participated in two competitive summer programs, LEAD Business Institute and Economics for Leaders. An award-winning artist, she used those talents to curate and exhibit art that raised awareness for pediatric cancer, earning her the Ronald McDonald House Charities Outstanding Leadership Award. A graduate of Newbury Park High School, Anna will be attending the University of Pennsylvania in the fall. 
 

Jacqueline Emanuel

$5000 Recipient
la reina High School
fordham University

Jacqueline is called “bright and enlightened” because of her energy, motivation and love of books. A noted scholar athlete, this Jacqueline plays basketball and is captain of the soccer and lacrosse teams. This Interact Club officer is also a member of the National Honor Society, an academic decathlon teammate, president of the school’s food club, and a pianist. She has taken active roles with the Thousand Oaks Youth Commission and the Thousand Oaks General Plan Commission, and is a volunteer docent right here at the Reagan Library. A Gold Star and Congressional Award recipient for the Girl Scouts, Jaqueline will graduate from La Reina High School and attend Fordham University in the fall.

saivee ahuja

$5000 Recipient
westlake High School
washington university in st. louis

Saivee is yearbook co-editor-in-chief as well as the photography editor. She is co-president of the education equality club and an award-winning participant of the Young Entrepreneur's Society Club. As student manager and founder of tutoring services for Westminster Free Clinic and as a volunteer for the Sankara Eye Foundation, Saivee logged hundreds of service hours. A talented artist, she teaches art for two nonprofits and received a Congressional Art Award Honorable Mention. Saivee is Secretary of the Girl Up Club and a Gold Star Award recipient through the Girl Scouts. From Westlake High School, Saivee will attend Washington University in St. Louis.

shay rivera-bremner

$2500 Recipient
foothill technology High School
university of california, los angeles

Soccer captain for youth and club teams, Shay holds leadership roles with Youth and Government and the environmental club. Outside of school, she has been an intern for a legal office and a volunteer for Food Share and the Blue Water Task Force with Surfrider Foundation. Through her work with the Ventura County Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, founded the Youth Action Team at her school and prepared and delivered remarks to a Congresswoman, her legislative aides, and volunteers. A graduate of Foothill Technology High School, Shay plans to attend the University of California, Los Angeles in the fall.

charles qin

$2500 Recipient
westlake High School
university of california, Los angeles

Charles is never satisfied with the status quo, according to one recommender. This innovative spirit can be seen in numerous roles, including as president of the Young Entrepreneurs Society Club and through three internships over the course of high school. A swimmer and secretary of the Campus Light Club, he is a church youth group leader and a homework helper volunteer. Recognizing the disparity in educational support and resources for minority families and desiring to find solutions to fill the gap, Charles founded not one but two educational nonprofits that have been featured by local media and recognized with grant funding. From Westlake High School, he will attend the University of Southern California in the fall.

kiera Pender

$2500 Recipient
westlake High School
university of michigan ann arbor

Kiera “brings people and ideas together,” and there are endless examples of this student’s efforts in coalition building and creating spaces for dialogue and constructive debate. As lead organizer for the Ventura County Youth Coalition, she organized a candidate forum for Conejo Valley Unified School District School Board and the Thousand Oaks City Council election targeted at young and first-time voters. Kiera imparts leadership through Junior State of America, serving as school chapter president and as the peer-elected Governor of Southern California. Inspired to action during the turmoil of 2020, she planted a chapter of Diversify Our Narrative, an organization that supports racial inclusion. A varsity golfer and an officer with the Conejo Valley Unified Green Alliance at Westlake High School, Keira will attend the University of Michigan Ann Arbor next year.

abheerava (Ganesh) koka

$2500 Recipient
oak park High School
university of california, los angeles

Ganesh is a triple threat – boasting accolades in academics, sports, and the arts. He is founder and president of the math club, secretary for science olympiad, and an award-winning debate competitor and coach. Ganesh is a member of the California Scholarship Federation, a National Merit Scholar semifinalist, and Southern California chapter president of the International Association of Youth. Outside of the classroom, he demonstrates leadership as a varsity baseball captain and an instrumentalist. He has served as a research intern for the University of California, Los Angeles. Ganesh is also the founder and president of the Schools on Wheels tutoring organization at Oak Park High School and will attend the University of California, Los Angeles in the fall.

nicholas kim

$2500 Recipient
santa susana High School
university of southern california

Maturity. Reliability. Humility. Ingenuity. Creativity. These are just a few of the words one teacher used to describe Nicholas. A Key Club officer and a member of the California Scholarship Federation and the National Honor Society, Nicholas is a middle school mentor. As an award-winning team captain for Mock Trial, he uses these talents to coach students at a local middle school in preparation for competition. After serving as president of the freshman, sophomore, and junior classes, Nicholas is currently ASB president at Santa Susana High School. He was founder of Circle of Friends, a club that helps build relationships at school, treasurer for the CyberPatriots Cybersecurity Competition, student body leadership representative for the PTSA, head researcher for a project through the University of Southern California, and a participant of our very own Student Leadership Program. Nicholas will attend the University of Southern California.

chaarvi goel

$2500 Recipient
westlake High School
university of california, berkeley

 

According to one teacher, Chaarvi is defined by a desire to go above and beyond what most students do. This is certainly evident by her resume, including piano and academic decathlon - placing first in Ventura County. A Math Center tutor, she has also accumulated more than 250 volunteer hours tutoring elementary and middle school students at the local library, and was instrumental in launching virtual library-based programs to keep younger students engaged during the pandemic. This Girls in STEM officer is president of both Westlake High School’s Young Investors Society and the worldwide Young Investors Society student board. Chaarvi plans to attend the University of California, Berkeley in the fall.

Anshul Bajaj

$2500 Recipient
el camino High School
university of california, berkeley

 

Enthusiasm, experience, and entrepreneurial spirit are words used to highlight the strengths of Anshul. His passions are vividly present in their academics, extracurricular activities, and volunteer efforts. Team captain for an award-winning Robotics team, Anshul envisioned, planned, and executed a Robotics competition attended by 300 students and mentors, an effort that secured $15,000 in sponsorships and more than 50 volunteers. Extending those passions and abilities further, this natural problem solver founded STEMbassadors, an award-winning nonprofit that has been recognized with a Ventura Chamber of Commerce Hometown Hero Award. In the very early days of the pandemic, STEMbassadors produced upwards of 200 face shields per day when PPE was extremely scarce. In total, STEMbassadors provided 20,000 shields to first responders. From El Camino High School, Anshul plans to attend the University of California, Berkeley next year.

hans bach-nguyen

$2500 Recipient
adolfo camarillo High School
harvard university

 

One teacher calls Hans “the real deal.” An officer for Junior State of America and National Honor Society, this student excels in math and robotics. With a keen affinity for research and medicine, he has volunteered extensively for organizations such as the American Red Cross, Good Samaritan Medical and Dental Ministry, and Ventura County Medical Center. Being inspired to action after witnessing anti-Asian sentiments, Hans joined Justice in the Classroom, a Ventura County-based student coalition, where he has served as a leader for all of Oxnard Unified School District. A peer tutor and conference speaker, this Boy Scout achieved the rank of Life Scout. From Adolfo Camarillo High School, Hans will attend Harvard University in the fall.