06/01/2025
2025 Scholarships Awarded
At the Pacific Grove High School Scholarship and Awards Night, Wednesday, May 14, 22 students received awards from the Pacific Grove High School Alumni Association. PGHSAA President Beth Penney ‘73, Recording Secretary Patty Fifer Keiffer ’60, board members Stacey Souders Golding ’68 and Betsy Urnes Rosenthal ’68, and Patty’s husband Charlie, our official photographer, were on hand to help make the awards. Congratulations to all of our scholarship recipients this year.
Thanks to our Scholarship Committee, which includes Lillian Griffiths ’70, Malcolm Colvin ’68, and Cate Goblirsch Lee ’94, for their work in selecting our winners, and to you, our generous donors, for making these awards possible. All awards are $1,000 unless otherwise noted. Our recipients are as follows:
PGHSAA Scholarships
Savannah Hardy plans to major in marine science at the University of San Diego, and hopes for a career combatting and limiting climate change. Savannah also received a Kiwanis scholarship award.
Natalie Hurst will study psychology at UC Irvine this fall. She plans to pursue a career in medicine.
Vedant Patel will study engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He wants to working in the aviation industry or for an aerospace company. Vedant also received a Spread Your Wings scholarship and a Megan Reis “Imagine” scholarship.
Daniel Ostovar plans to study data science at UC Berkeley, with the goal of becoming a data scientist and working in the healthcare industry. Daniel is also the Class of 2025 Valedictorian.
Ella Lee wants to major in business/marketing at Santa Clara University. She will go into the beauty or fashion industry. She also received a P.G. High PTA scholarship.
Shannon Lee is going to San Jose State University in the fall to study civil engineering. She says she is dedicated to creating sustainable engineering solutions, and she plans to become a civil engineer, helping to design and build infrastructure that supports communities.
Maia Lo will be at UC Irvine in the fall to study psychological science. She plans to become an attorney, combining her understand of human behavior with a career in law. Maia says she is committed to making a meaningful contribution through legal advocacy.
Carson Kerney is headed for Cal Poly SLO to study bioresource and agricultural engineering. He hopes to build a career in either hydrology or mechanical design, applying engineering to real-world environmental challenges.
Eva Buzoriute will major in civil engineering at Loyola University, and plans to work in home design or architecture. Eva also received a Kiwanis and a Youth Ambassadors of Pacific Grove scholarship.
Zion Cho, who receives the PGHSAA Fine Arts scholarship, will study design at the University of Southern California. Zion is passionate about creativity and innovation and hopes to pursue a career in design, either with an established company or by launching a fashion brand or design business. Zion also received a Megan Reis “Imagine” scholarship.]
Our Sponsored Scholarships
The new Griffiths Family scholarship goes to Vivian Ming, an aspiring attorney who plans to pursue a major in political science at UCLA this fall. Vivian is one of two Class of 2025 Salutatorians this year, and she is also a talented artist, having taken third place this spring in the 2025 Congressional Art Competition. Vivian also received a Youth Ambassadors of Pacific Grove scholarship.
The Beverly Wilson Stillwell ’47 award goes to Oykum Pug, who plans to attend UC Irvine this fall, where she will study psychology with a pre-med track. After earning her degree, she plans to attend medical school and pursue a career as a psychiatrist. Oykum also received an MPC Pay It Forward scholarship award.
Ciara Nardone receives the Tommy Stillwell ’74 award. Ciara will attend Cal Poly SLO to major in molecular biology. She hopes to work in the conservation industry, protecting and improving the environment, natural resources, and wildlife. She also received the James Bliss and Annette Sward Forestry and Nursing Scholarship.
The new $1,500 Jennifer Lincoln Jeska ’01 scholarship goes to Graham Smith. Graham will attend the University of Colorado at Boulder to obtain a degree in English, with the goal of becoming a high school teacher. This award was presented by Jennifer’s mother, Debby Beck.
The Hank Garcia sports/sports medicine scholarship was awarded to Lilikoi Wright, who will attend Cabrillo College this fall. She hopes to eventually work in sports psychology to help athletes enhance their mental resilience and performance. Lilikoi also received one of the P.G. Teachers’ Association scholarships.
Hank Garcia also established a new scholarship this year, this one for music. It was awarded to Claire Qasem, who will study computer engineering at UCSC, aiming to become either a software or mechanical engineer, while never forgetting her love for playing music (she plays the clarinet) and exploring nature. Claire also received a Youth Ambassadors of Pacific Grove Scholarship and the Marticorena Foundation Scholarship, in addition to a CSEA Local Chapter 29 award.
The $1,060 Cool and Nifty Class of ’60 scholarship this year goes to Isabella Jones, who will attend UC Davis in the fall and plans to study biological sciences, with the ultimate goal of working in a research lab and eventually becoming a science teacher.
William Selfridge receives the $1,968 Class of 1968 scholarship. William will attend Oregon State University to major in business and graphic design. William also received the Spread Your Wings scholarship and a P.G. Teachers’ Association award.
The $1,071 Class of 1971 scholarship winner is Eleanor Lyons, who will attend the Rochester Institute of Technology, where she hopes to explore engineering, with plans to specialize in chemical or materials engineering. She says she is excited to pursue a future in engineering and find her specific path within the field.
The Class of 1973 scholarship goes to Liliana Gaona, who will attend Chico State to major in sociology. Lili says she is passionate about people and communication, and plans to pursue a career in either human resources or public relations. A contributor to our most recent issue of The Knockout II, Lili also received a P.G. Teachers Association scholarship.
The Class of 1974 scholarship winner is Lauren Bristow. Lauren plans to attend CSU Monterey Bay, where she will major in human development, with a focus on family science. She hopes to become an early childhood education specialist. Lauren also received a Kiwanis scholarship.
The $9,000 Richard Reynolds ’57 science/technology award, made up of $6,000 the first year and $3,000 the second year, goes to Ishani Chowdhury. Ishani will attend UC Berkeley this fall to major in mechanical engineering. She says she aspires to leave a lasting legacy by advancing innovations that improve both human and planetary health and wellness.
In the photo, the 2025 PGHSAA Scholarship Award winners. At podium: board members Betsy Urnes Rosenthal and Stacey Souders Golding, both ’68. Center front, in blue: PGHSAA president Beth Penney ’73. Photo by Charlie Keiffer.
