Scholarships

Scholarships for Spring 2025

Information for Graduating Senior Women* from
Acalanes, Campolindo, and Miramonte High Schools

The AAUW-OML Branch offers one $2,000 scholarship to a graduating young woman at each of the high schools who enriches her school community, demonstrates a sustained commitment to community service, and maintains a grade point average of at least 3.5.

College Scholarships for Spring 2025

Information for Junior or Senior Women* in the
Saint Mary’s College High Potential Program 

AAUW-OML offers two $2,000 scholarships to undergraduate women in the High Potential Program who enrich their college community, demonstrate a sustained commitment to community engagement, and maintain academic success.

If you meet these criteria, we invite you to apply.  

The 2024 OML Branch Scholarship Awardees

Our OML Branch has supported young women in our community by awarding scholarships for 56 years.  The Scholarship Committee is committed to encouraging local, young women who demonstrate academic excellence and are discovering their leadership abilities through community service.  We offer these scholarships to high school graduating seniors at Acalanes, Campolindo and Miramonte high schools and undergraduate members of the High Potential Program of Saint Mary’s College.  This program provides access to education for dedicated students from traditionally underrepresented groups in higher education.

These scholarships are based on community engagement, leadership, and grades.   The awardees are chosen after completing an application which includes a written essay and letters of recommendation, followed by an interview with members of our Scholarship Committee. Our committee interviewed twenty-two students this year. 

This year students endeavored to make sure all individuals feel they are valuable members of society.  They collaborated with community groups to guide others in time of change, welcomed and supported new members of the community and honored those whose history was neglected. 

GIRLS WHO LEAD INSPIRE OTHERS
THROUGH PASSION AND ENTHUSIASM

 Zoya Acuna            Acalanes High School        Class of 2024

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Zoya, as president of the Acalanes Latinos Unidos Club, supported Latine students, encouraged cultural exchange and dialog through events and organized Latine Heritage Month.  She was one of the founders of the UMBRELLA (Understanding Mentoring Belonging and Racial Equity through Listening, learning and Advocacy Committee.)  The committee created lessons on allyship, microaggressions, identity and more.  These programs were presented to local elementary and middle school students.  Zoya also volunteered at John Muir Hospital. 

 

Bella Stratford              Campolindo              Class of 2024

Bella created the Native American Cultural Club at Campolindo to make students aware of her heritage and welcome them to participate in cultural activities and diversity events.  These events initiated the creation of a land acknowledgement plaque for the school.  Bella became a caregiver to her grandfather and recognized that young children need to understand a family member with Alzheimer’s. She wrote a children’s book, “Sundays with Grandpa”  addressing the lack of resources for children to understand Alzheimer’s.  Bella became an ambassador to our OML branch STEM Conference so middle school girls will stay curious about STEM and discover more possibilities for their professional future.


Nicole Hui       Miramonte High School       Class of 2024

Nicole raised funds for Afghanistan refugee families and tutored students in the Keeping Our Promise Program.  By building relationships with these families, she helped them become self-sufficient and succeed.  While volunteering in a living and memory care facility Nicole recognized that  seniors and individual with issues of mobility needed supplies to allow them to move safely.   She created ”I’m MOBILITY” to collect gently uses/new medical equipment and supplies and delivered them free to those in need.  Nicole became an ambassador to our branch STEM conference so middle school girls feel comfortable to pursue STEM classes in high school and college, leading to careers in the medical field


Evony Jackson       Saint Mary’s College        CLASS of 2025

Evony volunteered as a Saint Mary’s Weekend of Welcome leader where she helped plan a program to create a safe, comfortable, and fun environment for incoming freshman.  She coordinated events and activities to help students meet each other. She helped students settle in their dorm rooms and supported this transition for students and parents.   She continues this work in the student housing office and trains new students in the program. In the larger community, work experience allows her to tackle challenges and make meaningful contributions to any environment in which she finds herself .


Ayanna Wade         Saint Mary’s College         Class of 2024

Ayanna researched, created, and developed resources to aid refugees in navigating culture shock.  To raise awareness of these challenging issues, she produced a podcast on the psychological challenges faced by individuals in South Korea. Ayanna also interns with the San Mateo County Health Department office of Diversity and Equity to better engage marginalized communities  in matters of mental health.  Her outreach  tripled the attendance at a suicide prevention program.  She also created a comprehensive mental health activity guide, including valuable resources for community members who may need extra help.


National Conference for College Women Student Leaders Award

This program invites college women from around the country for leadership training, inspiration, and networking.

LaReina Torres     Saint Mary’s College     Class of 2025


LaReina received funds to attend AAUW’s National Conference for College Women Student Leaders in College Park, Maryland from May 30 to June 1, 2024.  She attended AAUW’s Tech Trek program as a middle school student to foster her interest in science and medicine.  Last year our branch honored LaReina for her volunteer efforts over the years.  Valley Children’s Hospital, Saint Mary’s College programs such as La Hermandad, Saint Luke’s Pre-Health Society and Be the Match/NMDP benefitted from her work ethic and volunteer spirit. A senior next year, LaReina plans to work with our branch to strengthen the connection between AAUW and Saint Mary’s College.

A CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE

Students, family, and friends along with branch members attended our Celebration of Excellence honoring thirteen local middle school, high school, and Saint Mary’s college students.