Three students in the running for prestigious scholarship
Citrus College students Abiodun Collins, Brian Tong and Yuxiang (Charles) Zhu are semifinalists for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation's highly selective transfer scholarship. They have been selected from a competitive pool of nearly 1,600 applicants.
According to the foundation, the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship aims to help community college students who have demonstrated exceptional academic ability, leadership and service transfer to four-year institutions and avoid student debt. The award, which serves as last-dollar funding after all other institutional aid, can provide as much as $55,000 per year for two to three years. This year, the foundation selected 459 semifinalists from 194 community colleges in 37 states, plus Washington, D.C., and the Northern Mariana Islands. The finalists are expected to be announced this month.
BRIAN TONG
Brian Tong was surprised to learn he was in the running for a Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.
"It was definitely a shock to me," he said. "However, I was even more shocked and proud that we have three Owls this year, including me, who are semifinalists."
Brian enrolled at Citrus College after immigrating from Hong Kong.
"I had my early education in Hong Kong, but my ambition to excel in the field of chemical engineering and my vision to maximize my potential prompted a change from the familiar to this exciting Citrus community," he said.
Brian has had amazing experiences on campus and has built incredible friendships.
"Especially my time in ASCC," he added. "They have become my second family."
When he graduates this June, Brian will transfer to a four-year university to study chemical engineering, with an emphasis on nanotechnology. His ultimate goal is to "find solutions for climate justice, bridge the digital divide and provide a more accessible education."
CHARLES ZHU
When Charles Zhu graduated from Arcadia High School, he knew what his next step would be.
"My sister graduated from Citrus College in 2015," he explained. "After hearing about her many great experiences, I decided to become an Owl myself."
During his two years at Citrus College, Charles has made his mark. From launching the Citrus Engineering Club to serving two terms as an officer for the Associated Students of Citrus College, he was committed to giving back.
"Together, we orchestrated bonding events and organized volunteering opportunities, fostering a stronger connection with our community beyond the campus," Charles said. "Collaboratively, we transformed our college into more than just an academic institution; it was a community where we could find a sense of belonging among students."
Preparing for the next stage of his academic journey, Charles said he is grateful for the opportunity he had to "grow past the capacity [he] had predicted." After graduating this June, he will pursue a bachelor's degree in computer science. Charles hopes to become a robotic researcher.
ABIODUN COLLINS
When Abiodun Collins first moved to the United States from Nigeria, he was disappointed to find himself in "immigration limbo" and unable to attend college.
"In my country, there is a saying that education is the best inheritance a parent could give a child and that it is a sure way out of poverty," he said. "Getting higher education has always been a priority of mine and my family. So, upon legal consultation, I discovered I could attend college as an out-of-state student."
Now nearing the end of his time at Citrus College, Abiodun has made the most of his time on campus. He even served as editor-in-chief of the Clarion student newspaper.
"My Citrus experience has been great," he added.
After graduating this June, Abiodun plans to transfer to the University of California, Los Angeles, to study communications and political science. His ultimate goal is to attend law school and work for a nonprofit to highlight societal problems, such as human trafficking and immigration.
This article originally appeared in the May 2024 edition of the Citrus View.