CHSAA Scholarship Recipients

Scholarship Applications for 2025

SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS Friday, May 16th, 11:59 PM PST.

The Cleveland High School Alumni Association (CHSAA) is offering scholarship grants to eligible Class of 2025 Cleveland High School graduates for the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year. Scholarships are granted to students who will be attending college, universities, vocational, technical schools or institutions.

Each grant will be deposited into the recipient’s selected college, university, or vocational/technical school or institution upon verification of admission acceptance and enrollment.

 

ELIGIBILITY

In order to be considered you must:

  1. be a graduating senior of Seattle’s Cleveland High School
  2. meet admission requirements of selected college, university, vocational or technical school.
  3. be enrolled as a full-time (or minimum of 10 quarter hours) student in 2025 academic year.

(If you take advantage of South Seattle Community College’s free first year, this scholarship may be deferred until the following year.)

Apply Online
Request an Offline Application
Senior students, please use your personal e-Mail address. DO NOT USE your school e-Mail account.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE is Friday, May 16, 2025, 11:59 PM PST

Essay details

ESSAY #1

State your career and educational goals including your choice of school and reasons for your decision.  Tell us how this grant would assist you in achieving them. (limited to 500 words)

ESSAY #2

Choose from one of the following prompts for your response. (Limit to 500 words)

  1. Describe the most influential person in your life and why?
  2. Describe a moment or something that made a big impact throughout your life.
  3. Describe three things that are important to you.  Why?  How will they change in 5/10/15 years?

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

The following documents are required in order for your application to be considered:

  1. The completed application.
  2. Two Essays. 
  3. Official school transcript. Ask the CHS Registrar to send your transcript to scholarships@clevelandalumsea.org.
  4. Two Letters of Recommendation with at least one from your instructors/faculty.

Congratulations to 2025 CHSAA Scholarship Recipients

Alana May Phongmanivan
Bill Lu
Bob Vuong
Daniel Warshal
Denali Jenkins
Eli Pendras-Lichter
Gabriela Villalta
Gordon Ho
Jadyn Refuerzo
JJ Loui
Junrou Tan
Kobe Lei
Muraayo Osman
Paloma Lee
Sophia Tounalom
Stacey Fosha
Vanessa Li
Vy Truong

The Class of 2024 surprised the Alumni Association Scholarship Committee with a record 43 applicants!

Thanks to the generous donations of our alumni and our amazing former CHS staff, we granted $35,050 to 22 seniors (another record). Two of these students received an Ed Landon Educational Scholarship as they are pursuing education degrees. Scholarship applications require letters of recommendation from CHS faculty, as well as mentors outside of CHS, highlighting the student’s attributes. These letters were full of praise for the students’ dedication to pursuing higher education and developing leadership skills. Recipients may use the funds granted for tuition, books, room and board, and other necessities. Many applicants are the first in their families to attend college. We wish them the best of luck as they continue their education. CHS Alumni Association Scholarship Committee – JoAnn (Victor) Smith (’56), Sharon Victor (’60), Janice (Dahl) Stepp (’66), Sachi Yari-Doty (’89), Sandra (Ellis) Bunning (’57), Barb, Thiessen (’67), Mary Ann (Bosnich) McCord, Tracy (Case) Arnold (’82), and Meredith (Murray) Blache (’81).
CHSAA Annual Scholarships

Your contributions support these brilliant graduates. Please consider donating to support scholarships for next year's rising stars.

Congratulations to 2023 CHSAA Scholarship Recipients

Jhasmin Laureano Damian
Arni Hoang
Evan Li
Dana Loui
Kim Nguyen
Abino Peredo
Maxwell
Danica Silvestre

Congratulations to 2022 CHSAA Scholarship Recipients

Anna Ni
Annie Tran-Thien
Hermela Berhanu
Lars Olt
Nouryani Saleh
Alayna Ly
Arika Chinn
Kathy Hua
Mia Dabney
Samuel Assefa
Alexis Neri
Benjamin Patawaran, III
Kayla Hoang
Nita Han

Congratulations to 2021 CHSAA Scholarship Recipients

Abdulsemed will pursue a computer science degree at the University of Washington. He is preparing for a career in software engineering.

He was highly recommended by the UW’s Math Science Upward Bound (STEMsub) program. Typically, students start the STEMsubprogram in the spring of 10th grade, but Abdulsemed joined in the winter of 11th grade. He hit the ground running and quickly caught up, making the most of his opportunities. He even encouraged his younger brother to join STEMsub.

CHS Science teacher Christal Lee said, “Abudlsemed has an enthusiasm for computer science, building computers from scratch, and a general interest in technology. The tech world would benefit from Abdulsemed’s sense of humor, his curiosity, and his care  for his community.”

Besides working as a daycare helper/assistant, he was the team captain and leader of the CHS football team. He earned the honor of Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved in Football Weight Training. He was a member of the That’s Crafty! Club and the Computer Science Club. His hobbies include building, fixing, and reselling computers.

Nurasikine will study at the University of Washington Seattle campus. She will pursue a degree in computer science, focusing mainly on software development. 

In addition to her high grades, she is active in the community and at CHS  She belongs to the Cham Refugee Community (the diasporic indigenous ethnic group from Vietnam), Girls Who Code, Rainier Scholars (as a proctor, she instructed, supervised, and answered questions, and helped grade 3rd/4th grader’s tests), TRIO Upward Bound, Team Read (coaching elementary students to improve reading comprehension), and also worked at Obsev Inc. At CHS, she was part of the Key Club, the Green Team, the tennis team (winning the Most Encouraging award), the cross country team (athlete of the week), the yarn club, and the cooking club. 

Steve Pratt, CHS chemistry teacher, shared, “Her ebullient personality stands out . . . .She frequently visits my classroom during lunch right before AP Chemistry. During this time, she studies, reviews with friends, and laughs infectiously. She has a light-hearted spirit that helps keep her studying in perspective.”

“While many high-ability students are hard on themselves or overwhelmed by the pressure of an AP class, I appreciate Nurasikine’s mature perspective toward her studies. Nurasikine is a remarkable student and a joy to teach. If I had to choose between a class of National Merit Scholars or a classroom full of Nurasikines, I would choose the latter. Her joy of learning is something I don’t encounter often. Not only will she be successful in college, but she will also bring a smile to her department.”

Kevin will attend the University of California, Berkeley, studying computer science. His dream started with the Hour of Code, a Code.org initiative introducing computer science to his fifth-grade class.

Active in the community, Kevin shared “Even though I made STEM opportunities for myself elsewhere, such resources were, and still are, scarce in my community. Seeing this lack of progress, I was inspired to create STEM education opportunities for my community by founding UpSTREAM, providing accessible and culturally relevant STEM resources for hundreds of youth citywide.” In addition, he was a researcher at Social Futures Lab (UW CSE), a software engineer for Project Sidewalk (UW Makeability Lab), and a software developer for 30+ (Fact Fluency Game). He speaks four languages—English, Taishanese, Cantonese and Mandarin. 

At Cleveland, Kevin completed eight of the school’s nine AP courses, was a member of the Symphonic Band (trumpeter, first chair), and was a student conservationist for Trees for Equity in Education (TrEE).

Kevin summed up his time at CHS: “Four rocky years have defined the Class of 2024’s experience at Cleveland: one year completely remote, one year returning from remote learning, and the last two being part of recovery efforts. The Class of 2024 has undergone four separate leadership changes at Cleveland, with four different principals and a massive educator overhaul after our sophomore year. Despite these challenges, I am proud to graduate a Cleveland Eagle. The tumult of my high school experience has taught me to be a leader within our school and the surrounding community. I know that my leadership will take me far after high school.”

Paul Davis, Cleveland computer science teacher, shared, “Kevin is the kind of person who radiates Cleveland High School values. He is resilient through hardship. He works incredibly hard and is gifted in what he does. He seeks to invest in his community and uplift those around him.”

Kenneth will attend the University of Washington in Seattle, pursuing a degree in medical laboratory science.  His mother’s unwavering commitment to healthcare inspires him to follow in her footsteps to become the medical professional she always wanted him to be.  

Active at Cleveland during his four years, he was office assistant for the main office, assisted in organizing events for CHS, was on the senior cabinet of ASB, a co-founder and vice president of CHS Yarn Club, a member of Key Club, a member of the national honor society, vice president of HOSA and a member of the green team environmental club.   

His community-oriented activities are just as impressive: medical writer for The MedReport Foundation, volunteer for  Seattle Parks and Recreation, community volunteer for Rainier Valley Food Bank, student volunteer for Seattle Public Utilities’ Adopt-a Street, and a volunteer at Cleveland’s local orchard, the Maple School Ravine.  His hobbies include biking, coin collecting, and research/information-seeking.

Clare Sobestki, a former Cleveland Science and CTE teacher, shared: “Kenneth consistently demonstrated his leadership in these projects, coaxing his more reticent classmates to participate while keeping the group focused on the final product and ensuring that the quality of work rose to his high standard.”

Isaac received the Ed Landon Educational Scholarship. He will attend Central Washington University in the fall, majoring in music education.

While at Cleveland, Isaac was captain of the cheer team, captain of Drumline (and won many awards, including the Spirit Award), president of the Music ASB, and was in the orchestra as first chair. In addition, he was part of Music Youth Southeast (first chair), Wintergrass Youth Orchestra (First chair), the Franklin High School Musical (playing the violin/piano player), and the Seattle All-City Marching Band (cymbal section leader).

In the fall of 2022, the CHS music teacher left two weeks into the school year. Unable to find a replacement with a music background, the school hired a substitute, Pam Linxweiler, who gave credit to Isaac for keeping things going. Of the six classes she taught, Isaac was in three, which he helped lead. She shared, “While I helped in any way I could, Isaac essentially ran our entire music program, and I assisted him. Fortunately, he knew what needed to be done and led the way for over three months.” They had a guest teacher, Kim Roy, to teach beginning and advanced orchestra classes one day a week. Isaac often conducted these classes, with Kim giving him guidance and feedback. He became an excellent conductor and conducted their winter concert. 

 She continues, “He plays the piano, violin, and a wealth of percussion instruments. He is also in The Seattle Youth Symphony’s My Southeast Orchestra, where he has played several violin solos. He has conducted many pieces during My Southeast performances, including one at Benaroya Hall. Isaac is a rare find with great talent and experience in the college path he intends to pursue.”

Tyson Koyano, a teacher at Cleveland, stated, “His real power lies in his potential as a leader. I repeatedly watched him build, support, and even protect his peers, helping create a complete high school experience for them, often at his own expense. Isaac saw that the drumline and band were falling apart as the school failed to provide their needed support. He organized his own practices using lessons he created himself. As a cheer team leader, Isaac helped lead efforts to restore harm done to the team, including organizing a petition and leading discussions with the school administration. Leadership comes so naturally to him that when I hold formal discussions, Isaac naturally steps up as a moderator without being asked, making sure quiet people are heard.” 

Layla will attend Harvard University to study biomedical engineering and computer science. She shared, “Post-Harvard, I hope to make medical technologies more accessible and solve health disparities that affect communities in America and internationally. I want to build hospitals, invent technology, and use my interdisciplinary learning to better the world.” 

She continued, “I want to study biomedical engineering to solve systemic medical issues through an interdisciplinary lens. As a biomedical engineer, I want to work alongside skilled researchers to tackle AI modeling, genetic and proteomic sequencing, and imaging.”

For most of her high school career, Layla battled a crippling diagnosis of brain cancer, which was discovered when she was only 14. Steve Pratt, a CHS physics chemistry teacher, said. “While many will aspire to become a doctor because of the prestige or family pressure, Layla desires to become a doctor so she can see the full humanity of her patients, especially those who look like her. To Layla, doctors aren’t the people you see for once-a-year check-ups or on Netflix medical dramas. . . they’re the folks who either help or hinder the painful process of medical care. Layla wants to learn the complicated truths and unknowns of oncology while also empowering patients to find those same truths when battling their own cancer. Layla is one of the more resilient students I have ever taught, and I know she possesses the grit and heart to make it as a future MD/PhD whose passion is improving her community.”

Her impressive community activities include founder of Beauty in our Community (BiOC), lead intern at Youth Digital Stewards, intern at Seattle’s Institute of Systems Biology, lead intern at Choose180, and peer leader/program coordinator at The Service Board. 

At Cleveland, Layla was president of the National Honor Society, president of the Debate Club, secretary of the Black Student Union (BSU), a member of the Cleveland Racial Equity team, a founder of the Coalition for Muslim Voices, and a former leader and member of Young Queens. Her hobbies include snowboarding and Somali dance.

Donovan will enroll at Seattle Central College this fall, with the goal of transferring to the University of Washington to pursue an electrical engineering degree and a career goal of helping advance our U.S. electric grid. 

He discovered his passion for electrical engineering through his engineering courses and projects at CHS.

Donovan was a lineman for the small but mighty CHS football team. He volunteered with the administrative staff at a local fire station, helping organize charity giveaways of backpacks for kids of all ages. He participated in community events to teach people about fire safety and help keep the community safe.

Donovan was also part of the Tree Project on Beacon Hill his junior year, joining classmates at an orchard weekly to do restoration work. Donovan studied the lack of tree canopy in South Seattle and the impact of heat islands on communities of color. Working with the Seattle Parks Department, he and the team helped remove invasive species while planting native plants to make this orchard healthier. His grandfather played an influential role in his life, instilling a strong work ethic and caring nature to give back to his community.

Donovan’s Humanities teacher, Tyson Koyano, shared, “Donovan shows reverence for the history of Cleveland HS. He was one of the flag folders for our Memorial Day Event at Cleveland Memorial Forest. He was eager to learn from alumni and participate in this important ceremony”.

Frida will attend the University of California Santa Barbara to study Environmental Science and Policy. Fascinated with the outdoors, she wanted to go into a field to fight against climate change. Taking ten separate science classes in high school, she was educated continually on the effects of climate change on the organisms she loved.

While at CHS, she was on the cross-country team for  four years, an officer of the Outdoors Club, a member of the Q2 club and the Sunrise Club, was manager of the baseball team, and helped with campus clean up and restoration.

She was voted co-captain on the cross-country team for both her junior and senior years, and received two awards for outstanding female athlete. She led practices during summer and other breaks. Dan Hamilton, CHS cross-country coach and teacher, shared, “Frida came to Cleveland and joined our cross-country team when our team structure, participation, and schedule were very unsettled because of COVID-19. Frida grew into a leadership position even as a freshman because of her consistency, work ethic, and natural leadership. What stood out to me was her positive approach toward our season. Rather than fixating on how our season was disrupted or different than normal, she focused on our opportunities and how we could enjoy them as a team. Our girls’ cross country team is now the largest it has been in at least 20 years, and Frida’s leadership played a part in that growth.”

During her junior year, Frida spent the second semester at the High Mountain Institute, an outdoor school in Colorado. When she arrived, she realized how inexperienced she was. She had never been backpacking, had never put on skis, and felt out of place compared to her peers. Frida shared in her scholarship application, “Those two weeks were the hardest of my life and the most miserable I’ve ever felt. ‘You can never leave something without entering something else,’ one of my instructors told me before we set out. His quote played repeatedly in my head as I pulled my sled for miles up the snow-covered mountain, alone with my thoughts. By choosing to leave my home, I took off the restraints I had placed on myself.”

Joe Donohoe, applied molecular biology and UW BIOL 100 teacher at CHS, shared, “When she returned, it seemed that her experiences had really sharpened and grown her abilities and drive to learn. In the 11th grade, she was quick to figure out new things, but far from the voracious and ultra curious learner who returned in 12th grade.”

David will be attending the University of Washington to obtain a degree in Computer Science, intending to be a game designer.

While attending CHS, he was active in Link Crew, ran on the cross-country team, and was a library assistant and CHS camera operator. In addition, he dedicated over 140 hours to the Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) Food Bank and WILD (a wilderness inner-city leadership program) to serve those in need.

Andy Coughran, Cleveland Humanities Teacher, shared, “David is an amazing student inside and outside the classroom. He uses his creativity to bring awareness to subjects he is deeply passionate about.”  

For a project on Seattle history in Mr. Coughran’s class, “David researched the stories of local Japanese Americans who were incarcerated at Internment Camps during World War II. He created a four-part diorama that respectfully showed what Japanese Americans in Seattle went through from Executive Order 9066, heading off to Camp Harmony, their life in Minidoka, and finally, the United States’ formal apology to Japanese Americans in the 1980s. David’s diorama was thoughtful and well-researched, and it helped teach important history in a meaningful way.   I know that David will bring the same creativity and passion to college. Not only does David thrive in the classroom, he also plays a key part in our local community.”

During the spring semester of his junior year, David worked on a Tree Project in his class. Every Thursday, he and his classmates went to an orchard on Beacon Hill and do restoration work. He worked with the Seattle Parks Department to remove invasive species and make this orchard healthier. “It is clear that David is determined to leave his community in a better place than he found it.”

Sophia will major in biochemistry at the University of Washington Seattle campus.

Sophia was an intern in the summer high school program at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Feeling the excitement, Sophia said, “Through those eight weeks, I found a passion for research. I experienced life in the lab. I had hands-on experiences, performed experiments, and presented my research project. When I met with researchers, I saw the passion in their eyes for their work and their eagerness to share it with the younger generation. I woke up every morning feeling pumped for lab day. Even though the lab articles I read made my head spin, they were fascinating.”

After that experience, she entered a Math Science Upward Bound program at the University of Washington. This led her to major in biochemistry at the UW, which will help her pursue a career in the lab, discovering, solving problems, and learning.

Sophia was the founder and president of the Yarn Club, “Every crochet project I start begins with an idea. The process is challenging but motivating. The finished result leaves me proud and excited for the next idea.” In addition, she was secretary of the Green Team Club, a member of the Key Club, on the tennis team, a participant in Lion Dance, a site assistant for Team Read, and a volunteer for Trees for Equity in Education (TrEE). 

Steve Pratt, CHS AP chemistry teacher, shared, “What amazes me the most about Sophia is her leadership abilities. As a natural introvert, Sophia entered  Cleveland observant and quiet, trying to figure out high school in the post-remote learning world. After two years, Sophia took her pandemic passion—knitting—and founded a new ASB club. From knitting in a quiet corner during lunch to finding an advisor and stepping to the front of a classroom of students, Sophia courageously started something that led to a cultural movement at CHS.”

Joe Lenzo, CHS AP calculus teacher, shared, “Her internship at Fred Hutch, where she conducted her own research project and gained hands-on laboratory experience, has ignited her desire to pursue a career in scientific research. Sophia’s dedication to academic excellence and her unwavering commitment to her goals earned her the Math Excellence Award in 2022, and she maintains an impressive unweighted GPA of 4.0. Her perseverance, determination, and passion for learning make her a deserving candidate for the CHS  Alumni Scholarship. I do not doubt that Sophia will make meaningful contributions to her community and scientific research.”

Rita will major in nursing at the University of Washington to become a pediatric registered nurse. She stated, “As a nurse, I can provide a listening ear to patients to support them and empathize with what they are going through, elevating their concerns to other staff rather than brushing them off. Only the patients know what they are feeling and going through, so we should never minimize their concerns.”

Besides attending Seattle Central College part-time, Rita was active on the girls’ swim team, the girls’ slowpitch softball team, the girls’ basketball, and the cheer team. She also made time to be the co-founder and president of the Asian Student Union, a participant in Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), the Key Club (on the fundraising committee), Cleveland Teen Health, the National Honors Society, and the Link Crew leader. Outside of CHS, she interned at YouthForce (the Boys and Girls Club/The Friends of The Children) and worked as a Pier Agent at SMS International Shore Operations Inc. 

Christal Lee, CHS science teacher, shared, “Rita’s willingness to try new things to grow as a student and as a person, her self-discipline, and resilience are assets she would positively contribute to any of her future endeavors. These qualities combined with her kindness and personable nature lay the foundation for her future success as a nurse.” 

Rita took on rigorous classes while balancing clubs, sports, internships, and jobs, and found ways to advocate for herself that helped her manage  her responsibilities. 

Tyson Koyano, CHS teacher, shared “Beyond Rita’s academic skills, she is a joy to be around. She’s bright, often sharing insight through a critical eye. Her humor is wry but hilarious and her energy is infectious. Academia so often focuses solely on the graded skills of students, but I imagine in a world which seems to get more complicated each year, having a student who is a constant light will be needed in society.”

Cameron Page

Cameron plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering at Washington State University. She stated, “my time at Cleveland High School opened my eyes to a world of possibilities, ignited my curiosity, and inspired my innovation.” She is driven to contribute meaningfully to the field, emphasizing renewable energy sources. 

Cameron’s teachers said that her being a class officer and involved in various leadership positions spoke volumes about her ability to lead, engage, and inspire peers.

Her CHS Counselor, Chloe Kimiai, stated, “Cameron’s involvement in social justice activism is commendable. She actively advocates for social justice causes, fearlessly raising her voice on pertinent issues and actively participating in activities geared toward positive change within her school and the wider community. Her proactive approach, including speaking at public forums and engaging with school boards, showcases her dedication to making a tangible difference in society. Her genuine commitment to social justice initiatives reflects her empathy, compassion, and strong sense of responsibility toward fostering a more equitable and inclusive environment.”

In addition to being ASB President, Cameron played on the CHS tennis and basketball teams, was a member of the Library Club and Art Club, and a GSA Chief Advisor. Community activities include a jump rope instructor, the Principal Hiring Committee, a sound technician, and tree/forest restoration for invasive plant removal.

Jaerlene will start at the University of Washington, majoring in psychology, aspires to research how diverse forms of self-expression can be brought into therapy and how art therapy can cultivate healing. 

At CHS, Jaerlene created a new club called “Candid,” where students create films, digital art, and stories based on monthly prompts. She was secretary for the associated student body (ASB) government. She had various leadership roles in the Asian Student Union (media manager), the Link Crew (leader), the  Cooking Club, and the Art Club (manager). She was also editor of Cleveland Publications in her junior year. 

Chloe Kimiai, CHS Counselor, shared that Jaerlene “has shown exceptional leadership skills by organizing pep rallies, cultural nights, and promoting school spirit.” 

Outside of Cleveland, Jaerlene volunteered at Food Lifeline, interned at the Boys and Girls Club, was a journalism assistant at Southwest Youth and Family Services, and was a video lab cohort member on the Vera Project. 

At the end of the year, she wrote, produced, shot, and edited her own short film, which was accepted into several film festivals. She created the film, “Contagion” when she was a sophomore. https://youtu.be/ggcNx3xg8Yw?si=_kE79YSnzY9EzB45

Dan Truog, Jaerlene’s CHS Media teacher for two years, described her as “incredibly creative, a leader with infectious energy, and someone who understands that when a deadline is looming, you often have to roll up your sleeves and get the job done yourself.”

Delyla will attend Seattle Central College and participate in their Visual Media program for film. Her goal is to explore her love for cinematography and then transfer to a university to finish her degree.

Transferring to Cleveland her junior year, once she familiarized herself with CHS and the students, she jumped into many activities and made the most of her senior year to make the “high school part” of her life “interesting and fun.”

While at CHS, she was president and founder of the CHS That’s Crafty Club, president and writer for the Vantage Point (CHS monthly broadcast news club), manager for the weightlifting club, co-president of the CHS Cooking Club, and main designer for the CHS yearbook. Staff and students were impressed and thankful for the new tradition she started with the CHS Daily Announcements. 

One of her hobbies is video making (and she loves to crochet). She is making a video tour of Cleveland High for the Alumni Association and future students so they may see the remodeled high school from the comfort of their home. During the summer, Delyla helped the Class of 1964 at their reunion by providing school tours for the visiting alumni. 

Dan Truog, Career and Technical Education Teacher and Yearbook Advisor, shared, “Delyla stands out as an excellent student, a natural leader, a powerhouse creative and  compassionate human who has continually challenged herself and left her mark on Cleveland. I have truly loved being her teacher and can’t wait to see what she does next.”

Quinci will study at Loyola University Chicago. She will major in psychology or biology, with a goal of becoming a physician’s assistant. She said becoming a PA “Combines my STEM passion, nurturing qualities, and desire to really be of service. The relationship with my own doctors allowed me to feel safe and comfortable, making me look up to them and see how important their role is to a community.

At Cleveland, Quinci competed in both swim and golf in the fall. Mindful of her schedule for school deadlines, sports practices, and matches, and a work shift, Quinci’s dedication to her leadership commitments (captain of both teams) and her consistency while juggling the multiple obligations still allowed her to earn a  4.0 grade point.   She also worked weekends as a lifeguard and swim instructor.  

She served as prophet and peer leader at the Service Board (tSB)in Seattle, which brings together high school students from the South End with local adult mentors from diverse academic, racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds. Shona Kerrick, a former program manager at tSB, shared, “Quinci met twice weekly from the beginning of winter through spring (on top of being a Cleveland full-time student and multi-sport athlete) so she could take part in 12 weeks of social justice workshops, six snowboarding lesson trips, and six service-learning projects with her peers in our community.”  Quinci participated in the program on various levels since 2020.

She was also a founding officer for Inspiring Outdoor Connections and treasurer for Art of Resilience & Resistance

Tymmony Keegan, CHS 10th grade humanities – global black studies teacher, shared, “Quinci continues to make a positive impact through her friendship, leadership, and consistently positive attitude. She is an outstanding community member and leader who is highly regarded by peers and adults alike. Quinci is authentically kind, always curious, and incredibly insightful. She works hard to make the most of whatever she’s engaged in and wherever she lands will be blessed by her presence.”

Corrina will pursue a mechanical engineering degree at the Kyoto University of Advanced Sciences in Japan.

She has an impressive list of activities, including Camp Fire Lemonades Group, Junior Young Buddhists Association, and Northwest Young Buddhists Association (co-president). While at Cleveland, Corrina was involved in (or even founded) many clubs — Pacific Northwest Key Club, Associated Student Body ASB (president her senior year), varsity volleyball (team captain), Japanese Student Association (founder), Washington Technology Student Association (TSA) (founder), Link Crew (group leader), varsity tennis, and the National Honor Society. Her hobbies include being a Kaze Kaiko Taiko Group Member and a Sangha Class member. In her spare time, she worked at the Seattle Art Museum and the Seattle Asian Art Museum.

Deborah L. G. Baker, Language Arts & US History teacher at CHS, “While maintaining her impressive school performance, Corrina improved the CHS community through her active participation in a multitude of extracurricular activities. I often wondered how she managed these; however, I learned over time that she finds joy in her chosen activities and work. Her persistent positive outlook and buoyant approach to everything she puts her mind to are evident in how she carries herself and her unyielding involvement.”

A student from the yearbook asked Corrina, “What is one thing you want students to remember about you?” and she replied, “I want students to remember wonderful memories made through the events ASB has planned.” Corrina said this statement encapsulates the person she wants to be, “someone who can improve the world around me for others, even if it’s just a little bit.”

Helin will attend Princeton, pursuing an operations research and financial engineering degree with a certificate in applied and computation mathematics.

Helin wants to “make a positive change in the world, especially for the Middle East, through math, research, and technology.” This was sparked after she polled the opinions of the staff and students in the Seattle Public School (SPS) district about Middle Eastern North African (MENA) representation. To create the change she was looking for, as a freshman, she founded the Middle Eastern North African Exchange (MENA-X). Helin said, “My vision was to increase student curiosity by recruiting and training mentors who students can look up to and connect with and by highlighting communities and people from the MENA region who have created a positive impact on society.”

Chloe Kimiai, counselor at Cleveland, said, “What I find most impressive is what the club was able to do to support others in the community. Rather than just a club space building connection, Helin also wanted to provide a mentorship program rooted in STEM fields and cultural understanding and competency.”

She became a full-time running start student at Seattle Central while still supporting CHS as an ASB cabinet member, being part of the Debate Club. She was team captain of the XBOT, FIRST Robotics Competition, which made it to the championship in Texas. She also volunteered for Team Read as a reading coach and, later, as a site assistant (leadership position). 

To continue improving her skills, she was a research assistant at the UW on a surgical smart grasper, which will one day be used in virtual surgeries worldwide. She is also active in the Bridge to Turkiye Fund as a writer, English tutor, and fundraiser. 

Chloe Kimiai continued  “While her academic course load and record are impressive, her character stands out the most. She exhibits great determination and strength in her extracurriculars and leadership roles. She is always a strong communicator and respectful.”

Connie will be attending the University of Washington to study in the public health field. She knew from the start that she wanted to incorporate her career aspiration of helping individuals into studying something related to healthcare.

In addition to taking rigorous classes at Cleveland, she volunteered over 100 hours during the last two years at the Rainier Valley Food Bank and tutored young readers as a coach for Team Read.

At CHS, she was active in the Yarn Club as a cabinet member while also joining the Green Team, the Key Club, and Future Health Professionals (known as HOSA and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education), which has a two-fold mission:  to promote career opportunities in the healthcare industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people.

Cleveland humanities teacher Isaura Jiménez Guerra shared, “As a leader, Connie’s commitment to supporting her community with food access has not only allowed her to serve her community, but build ties to fellow community members. . . .Connie’s dedication to her education and community work shows through not only her grades but her ability to stay on top of her demanding schedule.”

Colin will be studying computer science at the University of Washington this fall. He has been driven by a passion for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) since childhood. He started with engineering at Cleveland, then switched to computer science his junior year.

Chloe Kimiai, CHS Counselor, said, “While his academic and extracurricular activities are impressive, Colin’s character stands out most. Sociable and respectful, he works hard to achieve his goals, understands that sometimes it takes sacrifices, and has learned how to manage his time and balance everything he does. Despite any challenges, he shows up and does his best. I have no doubt that Colin can succeed in whatever path he decides to take.”

In his spare time, he plays golf, and volunteers coaching the First Tee of Seattle. At CHS, he joined the Key Club, the Asian Student Union (performing fan dancing), and the National Honor Society. He was also the Mechanical Lead for the Xbot Robotics team.

Nina will attend the University of Washington Seattle campus. Accepted into the College of Engineering, she hopes to pursue bioengineering. She discovered her love for health/medicine when she joined HOSA (Health Occupations Student Association) and attended the State Leadership Conference in 2023. There, she “found that bioengineering matched me perfectly — a career in engineering where I’d learn about the human body and not work with patients, but still have an impact on the world.”

While at Cleveland, she was active in cheerleading, the girls swim team, the Asian Student Union as co-president/founder, the Associated Student Body (a senior class cabinet member), the National Honors Society, the Key Club, the Cleveland team health center, weightlifting, and was a Link crew leader.

Her community involvement includes being an intern at Youth Force Boys & Girls Club, a seasonal Pier Agent at SMS International Shore Operators, and previously as a bobarista at Sharetea.

Joe Lenzo, CHS  advance placement calculus teacher, shared, “Nina’s volunteer work through Key Club, including participation in food drives and supporting community events like marathons, reflects her altruistic nature and commitment to making a positive impact on the community. She is an exceptional student with academic excellence, leadership qualities, responsibility, and a genuine commitment to community service.”

Selected for the Ed Landon educational scholarship, Ella will attend the University of Washington to pursue an education and community organizing degree.

A life-long inspiration, Ella’s mother, Liz Hepner, is a teacher in the Seattle Public Schools, of which the last 13 years have been at Cleveland. When asked about education goals, Ella stated, “Through her, I have witnessed the triumphs and struggles of being a teacher, the work that must be put in to create a conducive environment and a meaningful curriculum. Seeing both the effort she has committed and the rewards she has gotten– mainly in seeing her students’ success– I feel that teaching is something I am equipped for and passionate about, especially in my chosen field of humanities. I know that being a teacher, I could make a difference in the lives of my students and, through them, our community.”

At Cleveland, Ella was active a cabinet member of  the Associated Student Body, a Link Crew Leader, and an art club member. Playing softball for CHS, Ella slowed pitched as a junior and fast pitched as a senior (and was captain both years). As a junior, Ella started up the school newspaper (The Cleveland Journal) after it had been stopped during COVID, serving as editor-in-chief the last two years. Ella was Editor-in-Chief of the yearbook for three years.

Teacher Dan Truog shared, “Ella is the type of student whose intelligence, leadership skills, curiosity, and boisterous personality naturally stand out. I feel quite grateful for the opportunity to have taught Ella.”

Forest will be starting at North Seattle College this fall to get his EMT certification.  His goal is to study Nutrition. During his sophomore year of high school, Forest’s perception of what food expanded.  “Being exposed to eating food with purpose has influenced a change in my diet, leading to lasting advantageous effects.”   He wants to pursue higher education to find out how to apply his passion for understanding the impact that food has on an individual’s well-being to address and help more communities have equal access to applying that knowledge. “Food has a purpose in my life akin to education. With both, I continue to grow and improve my understanding of the world, while also improving my ability to help others.”

Forest was very active at Cleveland with being a club officer for the weightlifting team, ran for the cross country team, was Associated Study Body (ASB) helper, library volunteer, Teacher’s Assistant (TA), a school recycling leader, participated on the Green team, and was part of the TrEE (Tree Equity and Education) project.

Lindsay States, former CHS teacher, shared “Forest contributed significantly to our work rehabilitating a community orchard in the Cleveland neighborhood. Forest is committed to continuing his education as he knows that through education, not only will he be able to fulfill his academic goals but his personal goals as well. He consistently demonstrates his desire to leave all spaces better than he found them through his careful words and actions.”

As founder and leader of the Bandworks Club, he is an accomplished musician.  Deborah Baker, CHS teacher, shared “Forest’s passion extends well beyond the classroom as an accomplished musician. If he is not perfecting his classwork, he is writing, producing, and performing his original songs. He wrote, produced, and published an original song for one of the final projects that also met the learning standards.”  Forest and his band, performed at the 2024 PTSA “Red and White” Auction.

Jhasmin Laureano Damian

Jhasmin has worked out how she can serve her Latinx community while addressing her desire for personal growth over time. She plans to continue looking out for others by becoming a pharmacist with a degree in Chemical Engineering. Jhasmin believes that bringing that knowledge to her community will have a positive impact.

Attendance at the University of Southern California, where she can also focus on her Chicano history, will challenge her to acquire new experiences and develop more confidence and a profound comprehension of the world and its people.

In her years at CHS, Jhasmin has achieved a balance of:

  • studies resulting in 3.8 GPA,
  • school activities. (ASB Cabinet member, Key Club Treasurer).
  • community activities (Tech Blog, Youth Advocacy, and Leadership Hub with
    Washington Latino Community Fund).
  • work of 20 hours per week to save for college.

Jhasmin hopes to maintain a balance in her life, including education, family, and personal growth. We wish her success in achieving her goals and that the scholarship award is helpful.

Arni Hoang

Arni has had a very accomplished high school career. He earned a respectable 3.87 GPA while attending Running Start classes at the University of Washington. His goals for a career involve computer science.

While performing exceptionally well in high school, he was involved with many extracurricular activities, including swim team captain, tennis, and the ultimate Frisbee team, which he helped take to state championships.

Recommendations highlighted his leadership qualities, wonderful sense of humor, quick learning, acceptance of diversity, and ability to see both sides of issues. 

We wish Arni every success in the next phase of his life.

Evan Li
Evan is thrilled to be accepted as a biology major at the University of Pennsylvania, a prestigious Ivy League school. He attributes his successes to the inspiration of his hardworking father and care-giving mother. Evan has worked toward making college costs less stressful for the family. His job as a Student Research Intern at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and his focused effort to obtain scholarship funds is helping him to reach that goal. Drawn to a high level of community involvement, Evan nourishes his soul with a sense of belonging by assuming various roles:
  • at the Rainier Valley Food Bank – packing food for clients.
  • at Asian Counseling & Referral Service, planning meetings and events to support students in Running Start.
  • as an Upward Bound Ambassador for over two years.
In addition, Evan has contributed to CHS programs as a Softball Team manager, leader of the Link Crew, and Cabinet member of the Asian Student Union. Building a program for First Generation Low-Income [FGLI] students to ensure their college success has helped Evan build community and share success. The Alumni Scholarship Committee is pleased to help fund Evan’s education. We wish him success in his studies and subsequent career as a biology researcher. Congratulations, Evan!
Dana Loui

Dana had an awe-inspiring high school career. She stayed grounded during difficult times brought on by the pandemic and was involved with other students, ASB, PTSA, and other school clubs, which raised nearly $10K while getting food and other necessities to those in need. She also participated as a student representative in the hiring process of new administrators and was a speaker at several Seattle Public Schools board meetings regarding safety and staffing.

Dana is very involved in helping her community while maintaining a near-perfect GPA, taking advanced placement classes, holding office on the ASB board, working on the yearbook, and being a National Honor Society member. She was part of Cleveland’s Biomedical Life Science Academy, where she devoted four years to studying courses and topics that included physiology, health conditions, laboratory techniques, and biomedical research. She was the captain of the basketball team. Dana also held positions at the family-owned business Uwajimaya.

Dana will attend the University of Washington at the Foster School of Business to work up the corporate ladder to support her family’s legacy. She is very community-oriented.

Dana has been a very busy young individual, and we wish her the best in her next life stage.

Kim Nguyen

Kim Nguyen received a $1200 grant from the Cleveland High School Alumni Association, which goes to the University of Washington, where Kim plans to study Biochemistry. While recognizing that her parents’ money is hard to come by, Kim took advantage of as many free courses and college-level courses offered by Cleveland, including participation in the Running Start Program through Seattle Community College during her Junior and Senior years as one way of reducing her costs of higher education. She states in her essay that she will be the first family member to complete secondary school and enroll in college. 

While observing daily family situations, her career path became clear. She plans to focus on research to create new medicine. Saving for a new laptop was a top priority for Kim. Still, when the need for medication and food became pronounced in her home community in Vietnam during COVID-19, Kim responded from the heart by giving her savings to her mom so her family could supply medicine and food to them. 

Kim’s Letters of Recommendation revealed how hard Kim works to support her community in Vietnam and at a nearby elementary school where she mentored and tutored grade school students in art and engineering. Her recommenders spoke of her leadership skills, academic abilities, and how genuine she is as she stands for what is right. She is bright and curious, one of them stated. 

Congratulations, Kim, and may you always fly high as an Eagle.

Abino Peredo

Abina Peredois a $1200 Cleveland High School Alumni Association grant recipient. She plans to study pre-Science and Biology at the University of Washington while pursuing a career as a Physician Assistant in emergency medicine. As a freshman, Abina learned to step out of her comfort zone, which helped her realize the need to prevent mental blocks from discouraging her from reaching her goals. She accepted leadership roles in student government, Key Club, and community service, participating fully with no regrets. 

Letters of Recommendation praised her skills in collaboration, dependability, and quick understanding. They speak highly of her integrity and maturity, which provide her with the desire to work hard to achieve her academic goals and beyond. 

Congratulations, Abina, and may you always fly high as an Eagle!

Maxwell

Maxwell claims his career goals and objectives are still a work in progress. Even so, he is sure he wants to continue building upon his STEM knowledge base. Discovering that he could easily do math equations in his head at a young age set him on a path involving engineering and design.

His acceptance at the University of Washington is especially thrilling, given that his father and grandfather graduated there. Maxwell hopes to contribute to their legacy of positive impacts on Seattle and its communities. He aims to create a sustainable world through technology and make it accessible to everyone.

Maxwell’s focus on studying (including through Running Start) has been balanced by volunteering as a science camp assistant with Food Lifeline and currently with Open Doors for Multi-Cultural Families as a tutor for children from culturally and linguistically diverse families with developmental disabilities or special health care needs.

The CHS Scholarship Committee wishes Maxwell Rose success in pursuing higher education in Science and Math and a productive future.

Danica Silvestre

The Cleveland High School Alumni Association is proud to announce Danica Silvestre as one of our scholarship recipients this year. Danica has been active in school leadership since she was a freshman and spent her senior year as the ASB General Secretary. In addition to the impact made through the school leadership team, Danica has been active as the varsity volleyball captain, Key Club member, and a lion dance club member. In one of her essays, Danica spoke about overcoming a particular challenge in middle school and how that shaped her into the outspoken student she has become. Danica has aspired to be a vital part of her community and to give back. She has consistently recognized how much nurses do for the community, influencing her current goal to become a registered nurse through the nursing program at the University of WA Seattle campus.

Danica received glowing letters of recommendation. One of her teachers wrote, “Danica is a high-achieving leader and student who doesn’t fall into the stressful trap of becoming consumed with adding to her resume. Her accomplishments are driven by altruism, and she is motivated by creating the ideal community for those around her.”

Congratulations, Danica!

Anna Ni

Congratulations to Anna Ni, who will focus on computer science at Boston University. Anna was drawn to math and science from a young age and is now looking to make the STEM field more diverse and accessible to women of color. She wrote a beautiful essay on the different manifestations of familial love and how she grew to appreciate the power of action as an expression of love. She also wrote about taking the initiative and being proactive in her community. This is evident through her various school activities, such as being the National Honor Society President, Chinese Student Association President/Founder, Key Club Editor, Yearbook Editor-in-Chief, and varsity track captain. 

Her letter writers commented that “the strong work ethic, compassion, and perseverance she displays sets her apart from other students” and that “Anna works with an intentionality and thoughtfulness that far surpasses many of her peers.” 

The CHS Alumni Association wishes Anna the best in all her endeavors!

Annie Tran-Thien

Annie will study Cell and Molecular Biology at Seattle University. Curiosity and solving puzzles have been Annie’s passions throughout life, figuring out how pieces fit together. She realized medicine was a puzzle. Opportunities, classes, and personal experience guided Annie to seek a career in the medical field. Striving for excellence while using her life experiences are attributes Annie will use to achieve her goals.

“Annie is an intellectually curious student with an extraordinary command of how we convey meaning through language.” ~ LOR

Hermela Berhanu

Hermela will focus on International Affairs at the University of Virginia. Her father went through a lengthy and complex immigration process. Because of this and her dedication to helping others through the same kind of struggles, Hermela plans to use her education to go into immigration law.

Hermela had a solid academic record and will graduate high school and get her associate’s degree through Running Start simultaneously. She held leadership positions in the Black Student Union, was a cheerleading captain, and was involved in community outreach and education. 

One of her letter writers commented that Hermela is “motivated, diligent, thoughtful and hardworking,” having overcome many of her struggles. Another letter writer commented on how community-minded Hermela is and that her peers highly valued her for her strong collaborative spirit. She notes that her faith is a significant part of her life and drives her dedication to her community and love for all people.

Congratulations to Hermela!

Lars Olt

Lars Olt plans to study Computer Science with an emphasis on Artificial Intelligence accepted at Western Washington University. Engineering has been his passion from a young age. Classes he took at Cleveland further nurtured this passion, especially regarding software engineering and artificial intelligence.

One of Lars’s goals has been to tame his dyslexia, and while participating in debate, he achieved this. One of his recommenders spoke of his honesty, humor, and helpfulness to others as he “treats everyone with respect and dignity.”

“Bottom line, Lars loves to learn and apply his learning towards helping others.” ~ LOR

Nouryani Saleh

Nouryani brings creativity and energy to her academic work, contribution to school and community, and her extra-curricular activities. She has been successful in challenging classes through goal setting, teamwork, and curiosity. Nouryani has served as ASB Secretary and enjoyed being a CHS reporter/journalist and a manager for the boys’ Soccer Team.

She knows what she wants to achieve in her university years and why. In her words:

“One of the reasons why I want to pursue the business route as a career is because I’ve always wanted flexibility in my working schedule. I never liked the idea of working a traditional 9 to 5 job because I wanted to be present there for friends and family.“

Nouryani has prepared for life in the business world by serving internships with groups focused on social justice and advocacy and gaining experience organizing events; developing her art into a money-making side hustle; and gaining direct admission into the UW Foster School of Business

CHS Alumni is pleased to award Nouryani a partial scholarship toward University expenses. Good luck!

Most importantly, Nouryani learned to welcome change in her life — that it is the beginning of something new and creates the strongest version of ourselves.

Alayna Ly

Alayna is a highly community-oriented person: she has served as a link crew leader supporting new students, been secretary of the Debate club, and tutored elementary school children in reading. All this, plus maintaining superior grades and being a musician with the orchestra and jazz club.

Inspired by what she learned in a 10th-grade Biomedical Science class, Alayna realized that she wanted training in genetics to prepare for supporting others emotionally and acting as an educator. She is interested in genetic counseling as a way to combine her scientific curiosity and her passion for patient advocacy. She has seen families who could have benefited from genetic counseling and wants to know how to help them.

Alayna plans to complete a BS in Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, followed by a graduate genetic counseling program at the University of Washington.

The CHS Alumni Association wishes Alayna well in her search for a meaningful career and is pleased to award some funds for UW expenses.

Arika Chinn

According to UW Upward Bound, Arika is a focused, well-organized, determined, motivated, and resilient student. She has managed to hold good grades, serve the Cleveland community as Secretary of the ASB Board, and care for an elderly family member. She maintained high involvement in CHS leadership activities such as fundraisers, school safety, and pandemic protection. 

Here are Arika’s plans:

“In the fall, I intend to start my major in pre-nursing at the University of Washington. Throughout my life, I have always enjoyed caring for those around me. Whether it’s family, friends, or strangers that I meet, I’m always willing to help. At Cleveland High School, I took the path of SOLS which is the study of life sciences. This path allowed me to grow in the medical area and develop a genuine interest in the field. I learned more about the STEM areas and gained access to practice more in this area. I’ve learned how much I enjoy showing up for others to mentally and physically help them.“

The CHS Alumnae Scholarship Committee is pleased to award Arika a partial scholarship for education at the University of Washington.

Good luck, Arika, in achieving your dream of earning a nursing degree!

Kathy Hua
Kathy will be attending Harvard University with an emphasis on biology and languages. She’s interested in medical issues and wishes to help others by providing support for the underserved. She translated for her parents and held lots of responsibility at home. Kathy was very involved in AGE UP, a group devoted to engaging youth leaders tackling social justice issues while maintaining her academic requirements. She found herself with friends unable to communicate with host country authorities and felt they weren’t wanted due to the language barrier. This prompted her desire to learn more about languages and other cultures to close the gap for better communication and understanding. She applied to the US Dept. of State’s language study abroad.
Mia Dabney

Mia will attend Howard University and study bioethics.

Mia’s favorite quote is, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
 ~ Gandhi

Mia became involved with science and ways it could be improved to solve the inequities of the marginalized population. She also took on leadership roles with the NAACP Youth Council. She wants to make changes within her community, as did Martin Luther King Jr. Mia has also been very involved with student government and the journalism program.

Samuel Assefa
Aspiring to break down the stigmas involving Black mental health and to provide affordable therapy services as an entrepreneur, Samuel Assefa is pursuing degrees in psychology and business. His admirable qualities are his sincerity and empathy to make his community a better place and his resiliency toward challenges he has faced. During Samuel’s high school years, Sam has balanced his schoolwork, extracurricular activities in NAACP Youth Council and Black Student Union, and part-time jobs at Seattle stadiums. He has developed strong teamwork and leadership skills along the way and was steadfast in achieving academic success to realize his college and career goals. This fall, he will be attending Seattle Central College and plans to transfer in his Junior year to the University of Washington. His career goal is to earn accreditation as a therapist.
Alexis Neri

Alexis Neri’s commitment to her community and high academic achievements exemplified her high school years at Cleveland. As an active member of the CHS Filipino Club, she rose to leadership positions and served as a Treasurer and President of the club. Alexis was also involved in the broader Cleveland High School community. In her sophomore year, she served as an ASB Treasurer. Navigating through a year and a half of remote learning, she adapted her leadership role to the challenges of the pandemic world. 

As a recognition of her integral part in the Cleveland community, Alexis received the CHS Spirit Unity and Progress (SUP) award. In the classroom, she maintained a high GPA while taking honors classes and later enrolled as a full-time running start student and earned a place on the Dean’s and President’s List at Seattle Central College. 

This Fall, Alexis will attend the University of Washington Seattle and pursue a degree in finance. Combining her natural teaching abilities discovered from her tutoring job, Alexis aspires to be a financial advisor and teach others to manage their finances.

Benjamin Patawaran, III

Congratulations to Benjamin Patawaran III (Trey), winner of a 2022 CHS Alumni Scholarship, who will study Business Administration in the Foster’s School of Business at the University of Washington. At a young age, Trey discovered he had the desire to help people.

“Trey is responsible, inquisitive, driven to succeed, and one of the hardest working students I’ve ever met. He is wise beyond his years.”
 ~ Teacher & Baseball Coach

While managing a high GPA, Trey was active inside and outside school. In addition to attending Running Start at the Seattle Central Community College, Trey was captain of the Cleveland Eagles baseball team, Vice President of the National Honor Society, and Secretary for the Chinese Student Association. He also was active in the Seattle Chinese Athletic Association (SCAA) and was a youth basketball coach.

Kayla Hoang

Congratulations to Kayla, who will study Nursing at Seattle University!

Kayla was a part of Cleveland’s Engineering and Design Academy and excelled in a series of engineering courses for three years. However, impacted by her grandmother’s death in Vietnam during COVID, Kayla decided to switch her life path to nursing. To help develop her college and career aspiration, she took additional courses, participated in nursing programs, and joined the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) club, which increased her passion for nursing.

“Kayla has a growth mindset and is an independent learner who is passionate about pursuing the nursing field” and “will do amazing things in her future. She will do amazing things in the future!” ~ CHS Counselor

Kayla was also active at Cleveland High School. She was the president and founder of the Kpop Dance Club, secretary of the Green Team (environmental group), captain of the Varsity Cross Country team, and a member of the National Honors Society. She was also on the Varsity Bowling and Track and Field teams.

Nita Han
Nita has become a well-balanced STEM student who deeply engages in her learning and has developed collaboration, teamwork, and leadership skills. She worked on the Aquila Yearbook and NHS Club and supported the Volleyball team for four years, reportedly improving each year. Drawing, painting, and snowboarding fill out the “fun” category. Because Nita lived with her Aunt after her parents returned to Cambodia, she made an effort to minimize her expenses and worked part-time for three years. Nita’s Aunt understood that there are more opportunities for women in the U.S. than in Cambodia. Nita values the better life her Aunt has made possible and moved from seeking to gain her Aunt’s approval to becoming a person she is proud of. Since middle school, Nita has planned to become a lawyer to make a difference in people’s lives. She always knew she wanted to help people, specifically people of color. The question became, “What kind of lawyer? A trial lawyer, an immigration lawyer? Nita realized that she would end up in law school, no matter her major. The CHS Alumni Association is pleased to award Nita Han a partial scholarship for University expenses and wishes her good fortune in deciding the direction of her career.

Described as “among the top intelligent students I have ever taught,” as well as mature, reliable, and kind, Megan Louie was highly recommended for a CHSAA scholarship. Megan is a successful student both in and outside the classroom. Maintaining straight A’s while taking honors, AP, and Running Start classes throughout her high school years, Megan was an athlete, a cheerleader, and a founding member and President of the CHS Chinese Student Association. Outside the classroom, she worked part-time and volunteered in her community. Megan’s volunteer work with Team Read — a nonprofit supported by the John Stanford Association that matches high school “coaches” with 1st through 4th-grade students to meet their grade reading level — showcased Megan’s character and personal development.

Megan started as a reading coach, both in person and via Zoom. Joy and excitement flourished in her students as they became proficient readers, inspiring Megan to become resilient and confident. Taking on additional tasks, Megan was promoted to a Team Read Site Assistant for Dunlap Elementary School. Despite the chaotic situation in remote learning brought on by COVID, Megan rose to the occasion, matching readers with their coaches, keeping vital data significant to a grant-funded program, and providing coaching support. Despite her busy schedule, Megan has never missed a session or logged onto Zoom late, demonstrating her maturity and understanding of the responsibility on which readers and site coordinators rely.

Megan has been admitted to the University of Washington’s highly competitive Foster School of Business. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on Finance, she hopes to earn an MBA degree and work for a nonprofit hospital to serve her community. Congratulations to Megan! CHSAA wishes her all the best.

Helen’s plans for the future have evolved over her four years at CHS. As an income freshman in the Project 206 summer class, she had a head start in learning about youth incarceration. That success encouraged her to seek out challenging and fun science classes. She appreciates that the STEM curriculum is based on real-life situations. The School of Life pathway has helped her realize how much she likes science.

Her decision to major in pre-health sciences allows her to explore multiple healthcare professions before deciding between dentistry, pharmacy, medical research, or other possibilities.

Teachers describe Helen as “diligent,” a “serious scholar,” and “driven.” Helen has mentored students in Team Read, played on the CHS tennis team, served on the cabinet of the Green Team, participated in the Vietnamese Student Association, and is a member of her church Youth Program. Swimming for fun and online clothes and shoes marketing adds to her resume.

The Alumni Scholarship Committee is pleased to help fund college for Helen Tran. May she be successful in her college experience and following career. Congratulations!

By producing popular online videos and creatively generating ways to gain online in-game money, Vivian taught herself e-marketing and sales skills. Motivated by her accomplishments and looking to leverage her outside-the-box creativity, Vivian’s next step will be to attend the University of Washington’s business school to study marketing.

Vivian transformed from a reserved student to a team builder and a leader confident in communicating complex ideas and engaging her peers during her high school years. As an officer in Cleveland High School’s Green Team, her abilities showed through in a club that leads school-wide sustainability initiatives. In her junior year, her leadership was critical in Green Team’s successful partnership with Western Washington University in conducting a pollution and air-quality study.

Vivian helped increase the Green Team membership by 40% through weekly presentations, recruitment, and partnerships with the YMCA /AmeriCorps program. Using her illustrating skills, she designed one of the stickers sold during their fundraising campaign.

Balancing her time as a club officer and an athlete playing tennis and golf, Vivian is an exemplary student with an outstanding academic record. CHSAA is proud to award a CHSAA Scholarship to Vivian Pham!

We are pleased to offer one of this year’s Cleveland High School Alumni Association scholarships to Isabella Cruz. She intends to enroll at the University of Washington in pre-social sciences. Isabella’s academic aspirations have transformed from an initial interest in the most dangerous job she could find, to medicine, to the social aspects of medicine, and finally to the intersection of social policy and STEM careers. She intends to pursue a career in law. She is particularly interested in policy work to help people of color who are underrepresented in healthcare. She brings a voice to the underrepresented LGBT Hispanic community.

Isabella excelled academically and participated in a prestigious Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research internship. She also carved out the time to be the track team captain, play softball, and serve on the Seattle School District Student Advisory Board. In one of her essays, Isabella described how her attitude toward education was strongly shaped by the support she received from one of her AP class instructors. She felt strongly that her perseverance and determination were cultivated by that support, which dramatically changed her mindset about school. In one of Isabella’s glowing letters of recommendation, she was described as “someone who will approach life with a sharp mind, a natural curiosity, and the tenacity to stick it out, even in hard times.”

Congratulations, Isabella!

Journee received a scholarship so she could attend Xavier University. She plans to become a cardiothoracic surgeon, which will enable her to give back to her community as well as help black families keep healthy and live longer. She maintained a 3.6 GPA, loves chemistry, and will study pre-med.

Comments from staff recommendations describe her as a natural leader, resilient, self-directed, and mature beyond her years. She was active in the Black Student Union at Cleveland and participated in physiology and biomedical classes. She worked part-time to help with the home finances, but also played volleyball.

Journee lost her grandmother, who had raised her, and they were very close. Despite her difficult loss, she continued to strive to meet her goals.

We are confident that Journee will succeed and wish her all the best.

Nga came to this country when she was four years old, which was a difficult transition for her family. However, she became fluent in English by 3rd grade, ensuring that her parents’ sacrifices were not in vain.

After maintaining a 3.97-grade average, she plans to attend the University of Southern California and major in Business Administration and Environmental Accounting.

Active at school, she was the treasurer for the Green Team and Environmental Club. She also won 1st place in International Business as a Young Executive of Color. She played on the varsity tennis team. Her coach was very impressed by how fast she learned the games. One of her hobbies is playing badminton

Her community activities included being a Girls Rock math camp counselor and coaching beginners at the tennis center. She was a Hey mentor/student ambassador and a reading tutor to younger children. She is always helpful to others.

Her staff references describe her as being phenomenal in math (in the top 5%). She seeks the “why” of almost everything. She thrived during online classes, was tenacious and always fully engaged,

We wish her much luck in achieving her objectives.

The Cleveland High School Alumni Association is pleased to award Ariella Cornel one of this year’s CHSAA scholarships. Ariella plans to enroll in pre-health sciences at the University of Washington this fall. As a student athletic trainer, her work inspired her to enter the medical field. She has been active in many ways at Cleveland, culminating in her being both the Class and Associated Student Body Vice President. As President of the Filipino Club in her senior year, she took part in the broader Filipino community activities. She also managed to play on the varsity volleyball team and shared her love of dancing by leading and teaching Hawaiian dance.

In one of her essays, Ariella shared how much her life was affected by surviving a severe car accident in the 7th grade. This experience showed her that not every day is guaranteed and that you never know what may happen in life. She has the drive to better herself and make the most of what she has. One of her supporters wrote that she has a “go-getter attitude” with much to offer.

We are excited to see how the next steps in Ariella’s life will unfold – congratulations!

Justin is a highly motivated CHS student focused on becoming an orthodontist. With a fractured smile, he realized how vital dental work could be to a person’s sense of belonging and self-worth. He is resolved to learn how to help others with similar dental problems. He has prepared for his future by taking college-level math and science courses through Running Start.

Justin is very community-minded and has volunteered to learn about and teach other young people in the Clean Water Ambassador program, Planned Parenthood, and the Wilderness Inner-City Leadership Development group. He also facilitated a video documenting CID residents who feel unheard and helpless concerning social justice issues.

Justin has served as ASB Secretary on the Ultimate Frisbee team, studied and mentored Martial Arts skills, and worked to earn money for college.

Justin is focusing on his goals; he’s self-motivated, a community contributor, and helping others, so we’re sure he will be successful in college and life. Congratulations Justin!

Mahlet maintained an excellent GPA and intends to go to Stanford University.
She is undecided on her major but is leaning toward human biology.

Due to her parents’ inadequate treatment by doctors, Mahlet wants to join the battle for equity in health care. She was highly influenced by her brother to search for opportunities. She looked for STEM programs in Seattle and was a member of Making Connections.

Her community activities include tutoring and participating in the Rainer Beach Action Coalition, which led to her involvement in the African Student Association as president and founder. She was also involved with the UW Making Connections and UW math science, Upward Bound, and the UW Young Executives of Color.

She likes to bake and play volleyball. Staff recommendations highlighted her self-confidence and never accepting inequity. While she is a leader, she’s willing to seek out mentors and ask for help.

Her future is bright, and we wish her success and good luck.

Phi Tran has a clear view of how she wants to help sustain a world we can all live in. She is preparing herself for a college career that combines business and the environment. She hopes to create a public-private business model that provides eco-friendly services to underserved groups and increases green jobs that contribute to community resilience.

Her studies can lead to becoming a sustainability analyst to advise businesses on how to become more environmentally accountable. Phi also hopes to continue to teach students about sustainability and help create a more fair and just education system in Southeast Seattle.

Phi has enjoyed participating in CHS mock trials, competing in the Water Symposium, serving as Green Team president, and being part of Team Read. She also volunteers for Food Lifeline, the Rainier Valley Food Bank, and Hey Mentor. Playing tennis and chess rounds out Phi’s high school activities.

Congratulations, Phi, for creating a path to make your aspirations a reality. Good luck!

Phuc Thinh (Tai) was Intrigued by biology from a young age – – from gazing at life in the garden to studying the history of species to observing microorganisms under a microscope. He thrived on the many science STEM classes at CHS as well as in the Upward Bound program.

Tai’s accomplishments include: Water Symposium, Best Social/Cultural Considerations, and Best Poem; UW Upward Bound Math/Science Certificate of Achievement, and Excellence in Research and Ingenuity.

After living near impoverished communities as a child in Vietnam, Tai resolved to make aiding his community a top priority. One of his goals is to become a member of the healthcare community and contribute to the field of laboratory medicine – -possibly as a lab scientist.

Tai has found support from the kind acts of his teachers and friends. He understands how vital kindness can be and offers it to others to help them face their worries and doubts.

The Alumni Scholarship Committee is pleased to help fund college classes
for Tai Nguyen. He has our good wishes for success in university studies and meeting his goals.