October 2, 2003 :: No. 61

Record 14 Students Welcomed as Newest Guardian Scholars

Acknowledging promising college-bound foster youth, the Guardian Scholars program at Cal State Fullerton recently welcomed a record 14 students as the newest scholars. The eight freshmen and six continuing/transfer students join the returning 22 scholars.

The incoming freshmen and their majors are: Highland resident Daniel Clauser, communications; Fullerton resident Victor Fletes, human services; Riverside resident Ahmad Makboul, engineering; Angel O’Mara, psychology, of Garden Grove; Placentia resident Mitchel Roach, kinesiology; Jayde Rossi, human services, of Laguna Niguel; Tustin resident Melissa Tom, business administration; and Orange resident Nikki Wu, sociology.

Continuing/transfer students include: Huntington Beach resident Nicole Demedenko, psychology; Andrew Dunphy, theatre and dance, of Moreno Valley; Imperial resident Melissa Gaston, business administration; Danielle Hunt, English, of Riverside; and Gina Vong, criminal justice of Long Beach.

More than just a scholarship, the Guardian Scholars program supports emancipated foster youth in their efforts to gain a college education. A working partnership among the private sector, foundations, public agencies and educational institutions, the program awards scholarships and provides personalized support for ambitious, college-bound foster youth who are making the challenging transition to adulthood.