Allison Oster
Senior Media Relations Specialist
(626) 815-4518
Five Azusa Residents Awarded $5,000 Renewable Scholarships to APU
July 11, 2005
AZUSA, Calif. –
Azusa Pacific University’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions awarded Azusa, Calif. residents Ruby Carreon, Cassandra Dodd, Diana Perez Gutierrez, Josh Pollard, and Naomi Sharon Spinella Nancy Moore/Celebrate Azusa Citizens scholarships. The scholarship provides each student with $5,000 per year, and enables local students to continue their education in Azusa, while giving back to the Azusa community.
Ruby Carreon, an 18-year-old Azusa High School graduate, was actively involved in National Honor Society, G.A.T.E., Teens for Humanity, marching band, wind ensemble, and girl’s soccer, while maintaining a 3.4 grade-point average (GPA). “I would like to stay in Azusa and continue my education so that I can set an example for my younger sister and cousins,” said Carreon in her application essay. “I would like to be able to show them that with hard work and dedication, they too can attend a university and be successful.”
Cassandra Dodd is an Azusa High School graduate who maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.7 while being a member of National Honor Society for the last four years. “I feel that staying in Azusa would enable me to better serve this community, and the people who are a part of it,” said Dodd. Throughout her high school education, Dodd was involved in National Honor Society, Teens for Humanity, marching band, G.A.T.E., and other volunteer activities.
Diana Perez Gutierrez recently graduated from Azusa High School with a 3.42 GPA, and an S.A.T. score of nearly 1200. Diana has been involved in many things throughout the city of Azusa, including Best Buddies, Teens for Humanity, attending her local church, and volunteering as a teacher’s aid at St. Frances of Rome. “It would be a great honor and achievement to continue my education in Azusa,” said Perez Gutierrez. “The city of Azusa is wonderful, and APU’s nursing program is one of the best available. Since I would like to study nursing and stay close to family, this is a perfect fit for me.”
Josh Pollard is a recent graduate of Azusa High School who achieved an S.A.T. score of 1300 and maintained an A average through the last four years. Pollard’s activities included marching band, drumline, jazz band, cross trainers, and martial arts. “I would love the opportunity to use my knowledge of the city to benefit my education, and in return use my education to benefit the city of Azusa,” said Pollard.
Naomi Sharon Spinella is a Gladstone High School graduate who finished her high school career with a 3.81 GPA. Through her four years at GHS, Spinella participated in multiple music activities including, marching band, concert band, jazz ensemble, band council, and volunteering at Center Middle School teaching music. “Ever since I received my acceptance letter from APU, I have been so excited,” said Spinella. “APU’s community outreach programs will help me reach out to the people in the community who have given me so much.”
This scholarship is available to Azusa and Gladstone high school students interested in attending Azusa Pacific University. Since the scholarship’s inception in 2000, 19 students have received the scholarship. Students are selected based on their Christian commitment, a passion for Azusa community service involvement, proven leadership skills, a 2.8 minimum grade-point average, and admission to APU. Students who receive the scholarship must take a minimum of 12 units each semester, maintain active participation in Azusa community service outreach, and maintain a 2.8 minimum GPA.
Featured in TIME magazine and ranked as one of the nation’s best by U.S.News & World Report and The Princeton Review, Azusa Pacific is a comprehensive, Christian, evangelical university, committed to God First and known for excellence in higher education. Azusa Pacific’s main campus lies just 26 miles northeast of Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Valley, while its seven Southern California regional centers bring convenience and extend quality programming. The university offers more than 50 areas of undergraduate study, 22 master’s degrees, and 5 doctorates to a total student population of more than 8,100. For more information, call (800) 825-5278 or visit www.apu.edu.
