SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, which serves school employees and their families, has awarded $210,500 in college scholarships to 248 students as part of its Member Education Award scholarship program for 2025, according to a news release.

Most of the 2025 winners live in California, with a few students representing other U.S. states. This year’s scholarship recipients include 158 high school seniors, 50 college freshmen and 40 college sophomores.

The program, launched in 2000, awards scholarships each year to eligible graduating high school seniors and to college freshmen and sophomores, to help cover the cost of books, tuition and other educational expenses. Scholarships are awarded based on students’ grade-point average, difficulty of courses completed, letters of recommendation, community involvement, school involvement and leadership positions, according to the news release.

All applicants must be SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union members with their own member number, must have completed no more than 60 college credits and must be registered at an accredited college or university for the upcoming fall term. Awardees can reapply each year if they continue to meet the applicant criteria.

“For more than 25 years, the Member Education Award scholarship program has honored well-rounded students who demonstrate success in the classroom while also contributing in a positive way to their communities,” Josh Smith, vice president for school and community relations for SchoolsFirst, said in the news release.

Scholarship recipients are:

• Riverside: Valeria Aguilar, Sara Copple, Viena Estrada, Amber Gallardo, Madison Garthe, Alexandria Grossi, Catalina McCarron, Richard Padilla, Viviana Perez, Ayleen Puente.

• Corona: Giselle Aguilar, Gianna Garza, Rylee Lingwall, Rebecca Nakamura, Jaclyn Paul, Elyse Proctor, Toby Proctor, Mason Torres, Alil Washington.

• Eastvale: Christopher Dianela.

• Jurupa Valley: Jesus Ochoa, Yennhi Truong.

• Moreno Valley: Albert Herrera.

• Hemet: Xavier Bennett Aquino.

• Lake Elsinore: Kevin Garcia, Eva Kemle.

• Menifee: Justin Allen, Mia Domiccio, Jarrett Johansen, Kendra Johansen, Alankrita Kumar.

• Murrieta: Landon Archuleta, Hailey Negro, Jaide Yim.

• Temecula: Ryan Duncan, Owen Parsley.

• Cathedral City: Lorelei Beyronneau.

• Desert Hot Springs: Sophia Marquez.

• Palm Desert: Shafaa Munjal.

• La Verne: Marina Cole-Gutierrez, Nadia Cole-Gutierrez.

• Chino: Alessandro Gibbs, Angelo Gibbs, Cecil Howell, Ruben Lecaro.

• Chino Hills: Evie Lizarraga.

• Pomona: Jonathan Gonzalez.

• Rancho Cucamonga: Aiden Gutierrez, Adelaide Mills.

• Upland: Hannah Flores, Jade Garcia, Kaelyn Swanger.

• Fontana: Santiago Iniguez, Valeria Iniguez, Arnulfo Orozco Jr.

• Highland: Olivia Elgan.

• Redlands: Sierra Mason.

• Yucaipa: Cristina Dickason, Lillie Loomis.

• Lancaster: Atianna Franklin, Alejandro Galindo, Trinity Wood.

• Victorville: Amani Alcazar.

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union was founded in 1934, when 126 school employees pooled $1,200 and established a member-owned cooperative to help improve each other’s lives. It now has nearly $34 billion in assets, according to the news release.

For information, go to schoolsfirstfcu.org.

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Hamilton High School’s Angie Delgado says, “I am devoted to my chosen field of study.  I have always found an interest in Kinesiology and am fascinated by the idea of helping athletes with their athletic journey.”  Angie will be the first in her family to attend college, a point of immense pride for her and her family.  Angie is hoping to attend Cal State San Marcos or Mt. San Antonio College, focusing on movement anatomy or exercise physiology.

Kayla Benson from Hemet High School says that after she acquires her college degree in Civil Engineering, “I want to serve my community and help those who struggle.  I’ve been inspired by the needs of the people I see every day who are less fortunate and need somewhere to call their own.  Education is power, and the more I know the more I can do good for others.”   Kayla plans to attend either Brigham Young University Provo or BYU Idaho in the fall.

Although mathematics isn’t every student’s favorite subject, Ubaldo Puente of Tahquitz High School plans to further his education at the University of Utah where he will work towards a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and eventually earn his teaching credential.  “I want my future students to view the subject in a new light, the way my third grade teacher showed my peers and me a new perspective on the misunderstood subject.”  Dr. Emily Shaw, Hemet Unified School District’s Director of Wellness and Community Outreach, says, “Ubaldo is the all-around package: brains, character, high morals and strong leadership.”

Western Center Academy graduating senior Logan Fogle says, “For as long as I can remember, I have had a love for the outdoors and an appreciation for the natural world’s complexity and simplicity.  I find a peace and relaxation in nature.  I want to pursue a career in nature, working for the US Forest Service as a Forester.  My office will be among the trees, my water cooler will be a cool mountain stream.”  Logan plans to attend Cal Poly Humboldt University and major in Forestry.  Western Center AP English teacher Tonya Brady says that Logan will bring “a focused dedication to college where no class will intimidate him.  He is a quality person.” 

Sports Medicine has become a profound part of Nathalie Garcia’s life. She has a passion for helping athletes and making a meaningful impact.  She developed that passion at West Valley High School, “working at my school’s clinic with 8 other selected peers and working and interacting with individuals outside of school.  Sports medicine is more than a career to me, it’s an emotional and heartwarming journey that stirs my soul.” Her two years in West Valley’s CTC Sports Medicine class has had quite an impact on this young lady.  Nathalie has her eyes set on attending Cal State San Marcos with a major in Kinesiology and the ultimate goal of becoming a physical therapist. 

“Whether grappling with the complexities of mathematics or immersing myself in literature, my thirst for understanding remains insatiable, propelling me towards continual growth.”  These are the words of Eugene Hernandez, HEF scholarship award winner from The Academy of Innovation.  Eugene says that with a “deep-seated passion for education and a genuine desire to inspire and empower others, I aspire to pursue a career in teaching.”  His plans are to first acquire an AA degree from MSJC then transfer to a university to earn his bachelor’s degree and eventually his teaching credential. 

Since 1978, the Hemet Education Foundation has been supporting schools sites and students in the Hemet Unified School District with financial donations and academic scholarships.  Over the past 15 years, the Foundation has donated over $104,000 to the District’s schools for much-needed supplies and resources.  Additionally, since 2014, the Hemet Education Foundation has awarded over $200,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors in the district — $500 to qualifying seniors at both of our alternative high schools, and $5000 to qualifying seniors at each of our five comprehensive high schools.  For more information about the Hemet Education Foundation, you can access their website at hemeteducationfoundation.com.

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