FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 12, 2023
CONTACT: Kimberly Aguilar – (805) 341-4689
Thousand Oaks, CA – Compass Charter Schools celebrates graduating scholars Careli Gonzalez, Katelyn Eddins, Katelyn Onyekwelu, Rio Anderson, and Patrick Liev Ewart, all of whom were named recipients of the Loud and Proud Scholarships and the Rising Firebird scholarships for the 2022-23 school year. Each scholar is awarded $250 toward their college education.
Introduced in 2021, the Loud and Proud and the Rising Firebird scholarships are for Compass graduating seniors, thanks to philanthropic support from our staff, families, and the community. The Parent Advisory Council recommended recipients, and the Board of Directors approved those recommendations at their June 22 meeting. The Loud and Proud Scholarship application called for video submission, and the Rising Firebird Scholarship application called for several essays.
“It is an honor and privilege to continue our scholarship program at Compass,” shares Elizabeth Brenner, Superintendent and CEO. “It was wonderful reviewing all the applications with our Parent Advisory Council. These five scholars truly exemplify our mission, vision, and values, and I know they are on to great things as they close one chapter and head on to the next. I hope our scholarships aid them on their journey!”
Careli Gonzalez, a Rising Firebird scholarship recipient with CCS of San Diego, plans to continue her education at San Diego City College and then transfer to UCSD. She plans first to receive a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and then an MD specializing in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Gonzalez would like to work with children and teenagers struggling with mental health issues.
Gonzalez shares, “After moving back from Mexico to the States, the AVID class I took with Ms. Sowell was challenging for me at the time, and I didn’t notice how tremendously I had needed it, especially the key focus on organization, public speaking, note taking, college and career planning, and research. I started to work and feel like the scholar I was before, and my grades reflected that. Even though 10th and 11th grade were affected greatly by my mental health, this semester has been the best. I’ve never felt as motivated and excited for college, and my grades have remained steady. I truly can’t wait to start this new chapter in my education and life.”
Katelyn Eddins, a Rising Firebird scholarship recipient with CCS of San Diego, plans to attend Mt. San Jacinto Community College and take courses toward her Associate’s Degree in Biology while simultaneously attending Bible college at her home church in Murrieta. Eddins would like to work as a teacher’s assistant in a classroom while pursuing her education to become a physician’s assistant. She has always enjoyed helping others and is fascinated with the way bodies operate. Eddins shares, “Having the ability to assist and offer help to a patient through a difficult time brings me great joy.”
She also shares, “My family and school have been an important part of what has made me who I am today. My parents have encouraged me to reach for more throughout my entire educational journey. Likewise, my educational leaders have assisted me in recognizing how much more I can achieve. My Compass teacher, Mrs. Kiefner, and college counselor, Mataya Olson, have made my high school years positive by being available to me for any questions, concerns, or obstacles that have arisen. They are very positive, helpful, and encouraging. The aspirations I am pursuing today are due to the astounding community I am surrounded with.”
Katelyn Onyekwelu, a Rising Firebird scholarship recipient with CCS of Los Angeles, plans to attend Fresno Pacific University in the Pre-Med Program. She plans to go to medical school and become a dermatologist. And she plans to open her own bakery once she has established herself.
Onyekwelu shares, “Over the years at Compass, I have learned that I am a very resilient scholar. The National Honor Society taught me this when I was chosen to be president. There are so many people who have inspired me at Compass. Mrs. Lasely, Mrs. Richardson, Mrs. Northcote, and Ms. Olson are big ones. I see how many scholars they are responsible for and their workload. Even with all that, they always have a smile on their faces and are ready to help. It is such a big inspiration to see resilient women who are always willing to do more. I have so much respect for them.”
Rio Anderson, a Loud and Proud scholarship recipient with CCS of Los Angeles, plans to attend Santa Monica City College to pursue a degree in engineering. He aspires to build great inventions for the future that can be used within his community.
Anderson shares, “I’m proud of my strength to pursue academics seriously and not give up. Certain events in my life showed me perseverance and how to make a plan and stick to it.”
Patrick Liev Ewart, a Loud and Proud scholarship recipient with CCS of Yolo, finished his senior year of high school while simultaneously joining the Sacramento Ballet Second Company. He has been working for ten years to hone his craft through hard work and dedication. Liev Ewart’s commitment has certainly paid off. See his incredible video submission below.
Check out Patrick Liev Ewart’s video submission here.
Dollars raised through the Annual Fund support scholarships for our graduating seniors. Support these two scholarships, the Loud and Proud Scholarship and the Rising Firebird Scholarship, with a gift of support today.
About Compass Charter Schools
Compass Charter Schools is a WASC-accredited virtual personalized learning public charter school serving thousands of scholars throughout California. Catering to TK-12 grade scholars, Compass offers two personalized learning programs. Compass is committed to creating a collaborative virtual learning community, inspiring scholars to appreciate the ways in which arts and sciences nurture a curiosity for lifelong learning, and preparing scholars to take responsibility for their future successes.
For more information, visit About Compass, and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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