Meet the 2023 Scholars

Monishka Tanwani

$7500 Recipient
Santa Susana high School
university of California, Berkeley

Monishka’s accomplishments fall under the category of “how in the world do they have time to do all of this?” Serving the school community as Interact Club president, First Robotics co-president, tutoring club president, and an officer of Junior State, Key Club, Ethics Bowl, and Math Olympiad, she is also a member of marching band and orchestra, a piano performer, and an accomplished cultural dancer. Monishka is a servant of the community, participating on the Simi Valley Youth Council, volunteering for the Simi Valley Public Library and The Tomorrow Project, a global sustainability nonprofit, and serving as vice president and instructor for the Agoura Math Circle. Her super power is teaching, in which she finds immense joy and is recognized by others. One recommender notes: “Anyone who watches her teach can see how she has an unparalleled level of patience when working with students.” 

Mugil Shanmugam

$5500 Recipient
oak park high School
university of southern California

Mugil is lauded for being highly gifted in both the humanities and sciences. At school, he serves as an officer for Science Olympiad, Future Business Leaders of America, and peer counseling, as well as captaining the mock trial team. For Mugil, STEM may be the chosen path, with credits that already include serving as co-founder and president of the Future Medical Professionals Club, conducting research in science and engineering at Boston University, and serving as a student researcher and lab assistant at California State University, Northridge’s Biophysics Lab. He is a Hugh O’Brien Leadership Seminar junior staffer, and developed a free PSAT test preparation course for the Agoura Math Circle. 

Niah Goudar

$5500 Recipient
Newbury Park High School
University of california, Berkeley

Niah is celebrated for balancing strenuous academics, competitive athletics, and community service. President of the senior class, she is community outreach officer for the YMCA youth and government program and co-founder of a mental health focused nonprofit. This future entrepreneur has sought out numerous opportunities for enrichment around the country, participating in programs such as Berkeley Business Academy for Youth, UCLA Ideagen Global Leadership Academy, Wharton Future of the Business World, Wharton Essentials of Entrepreneurship, and Stanford AI and Machine Learning. Most notably, Niah’s work through LaunchX led to a start-up for a PodX device for the visually impaired. This young woman will undoubtedly make her mark on the global business world.

Sophia viorato

$3000 Recipient
oxnard middle college High School
University of california, san diego

Sophia is a student of varying creative interests. Founder of the chess club, president of the crochet club, and a mariachi performer, this candidate was editor of the yearbook, team captain of the STEM club, and co-founder of the study club. Her capacity for leadership was recognized near and far, as evidenced by service on ASB, the superintendent’s advisory council, the principal’s advisory council, and as the student representative for the Parent Teacher Student Association. A dedicated volunteer for the League of United Latin American Citizens and Westminster Free Clinic, one recommender commends her initiative, sense of responsibility, talent, and unique ability to balance boldness with kindness - particularly in the face of some of the most challenging personal obstacles.

Angelina Nguyen

$3000 Recipient
Ventura High School
brown University

To one recommender, Angelina is remarkable, creative, and one of the best writers this teacher has seen. This proficiency in language arts is evident in her work as assistant editor of the school newspaper, founder of a school reading club, and regular volunteer for the Ventura County Library. Angelina's interests also extend to science, where she has made her mark as a research intern for Ventura Clinical Trials and a participant in the Medical Observership Program at Ventura County Medical Center. At school, Angelina is an officer for the Key Club and the National Honor Society, while also serving as an award-winning captain of the swim team. A piano player, she is also a volunteer for Food Share.

Mateo Navarro

$3000 Recipient
Ventura High School
Brown university

Mateo has been described as one-of-a-kind, fiercely intelligent, creative, community-minded, thoughtful, and civically engaged. These characteristics span the athletic field to school grounds to the local community. Promoting unity and diversity as ASB president, this candidate also serves as founder and co-moderator of the Student Forum Society and participated in the Health Occupations Pipeline Program. In his own words, he “gives voice to the voiceless” - and this was no more evident than in his role as founder and co-president of the Latino Rights Club, where he spearheaded an effort to commission a mural of Dolores Huerta to showcase his Latino pride, raising $15,000 to complete the project.

Hayley Gadsby

$3000 Recipient
westlake High School
university of California, Los Angeles

The first thing that captures your attention with Hayley is the high level of academic rigor on their course load, including 11 AP and 7 honors courses. What’s more impressive is that she managed excellent grades while engaging in numerous school and community efforts. An award-winning leader of Future Business Leaders of America beyond the high school level, Hayley is a future marketer and communicator. Business-related accolades include Junior Achievement and numerous paid and volunteer roles related to social media influencing. She continually hones her leadership skills – as a student representative of the Conejo District Advisory Committee, a Youth Citizenship Seminar scholarship awardee through Pepperdine University, and a participant of our own Reagan Student Leadership Program.

abigail flamer

$3000 Recipient
westlake High School
brown university

One recommender states of Abigail: “when this student is involved in something, they commit themselves fully to ensure their success and the success of those around them.” Described as determined, intelligent, caring, and with an endless potential for success, she is an officer of the Math Honor Society and the Science Honor Society who volunteers with Homework Helpers and works as a tutor. Abigail is a leader who sees a need and steps up to act on it. After being faced with the underrepresentation of females in the math club, she ran for office and took actions to change the status quo – creating a tutoring program and actively recruiting female members. A varsity tennis player since ninth grade and current co-captain, Abigail and her teammates won their first state championship in 2021.

Aylin Fernandez

$3000 Recipient
channel islands High School
california polytechnic state university, San Luis obispo

Aylin is commended for her drive and academic excellence, balancing a challenging course load at the top of their class and serving as an officer for Key Club. One recommendation praises Aylin’s enthusiasm and initiative, citing their ability to be both a fast learner while being quick to teach others and assist peers with kindness. Aylin has shown a tremendous passion for and proficiency in the healthcare field, a focus that was formed early in life as a result of personal experiences. She lives out this passion serving as president of HOSA – Future Health Professionals, volunteering at Westminster Free Clinic, and as a participant in the prestigious HOPE internship for future healthcare professionals. Aylin will certainly make the medical community proud in the future.

Archit Goyal

$3000 Recipient
westlake High School
purdue university

Trustworthy. Loyal. Honest. These are descriptors of Archit. A leader in the school community, he was president of Science Olympiad, and a member of the physics club and Ecoschools. Musically, Archit’s talents are vast – marching band, jazz ensemble, Drum Corps International, and wind ensemble – and extend to serving the community as a music tutor for children with special needs and an elementary school band instructor. Most notably, Archit is an Eagle Scout who served as Senior Patrol Leader, leading all troop activities, implementing an aggressive community service agenda for his troop, and receiving numerous accolades for his work.

Basant Gendi

$3000 Recipient
channel islands High School
university of california, santa barbara

Basant is also at the top of the academic class, achieving four college associates degrees during high school. Lauded for a “can-do” attitude – which we love over here at the Reagan Foundation, this student is described as “an enthusiast of great ideas, experiences, and care for the community.” An officer of MESA - Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement, and HOSA – Future Health Professionals, Basant is a volunteer for a local urgent care, employed as a dental assistant, and a zealous advocate for the homeless community. An immigrant from Egypt, she uses her voice to support young women in her community and other philanthropic efforts through her church.

Morgan Guttman

$3000 Recipient
Royal High School
university of california, santa barbara

 

Morgan is a fixture in the local community whose talents and leadership are always on display. As an accomplished performer, she is an award-winning member of the choir and drama club, and has extended those skills to serving in volunteer roles throughout the community. Additionally, Morgan teaches piano and works for the Actor’s Repertory Theater of Simi. A science camp counselor and Tomorrow Project volunteer, Morgan has a black belt in Krav Maga. Called a “Renaissance Woman” by one of her recommenders, she is an executive officer in the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, where she is most proud of the leadership lessons she is able to share with her fellow cadets as flight commander.

Joy oh

$3000 Recipient
royal High School
university of california, berkeley

 

Determination is the theme of Joy's, who was described by one recommender as having a “fire that burns inside” them. At school, she leads as part of the ASB, class council - including junior class president, a member of the Link crew, creator of a Multicultural Week to allow students to celebrate their heritages, and co-founder and co-president of the Student Equity Committee Club. Joy is a club and school soccer player, as well as a committed volunteer with church activities. An award-winning officer of the Advanced Women’s Ensemble vocal program, the drama club, and the vocal jazz ensemble, she is both a musical performer and teacher.

Congratulations to the class of 2023!