GGUSD Presents Simon Family Foundation with Community Hero Award

• Wednesday, September 20, 2023

GGUSD Presents Simon Family Foundation with Community Hero Award & Recognizes 2025 Simon Scholars

At its September 19 meeting, the Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD) Board of Education recognized 46 students from Bolsa Grande, Garden Grove, La Quinta, Los Amigos, Rancho Alamitos, and Santiago high schools who were named Class of 2025 Simon Scholars for their commitment to academic success and community service. The Board also presented representatives from the Simon Family Foundation with the district’s 2023 Community Heroes Award for the organization’s longstanding partnership with the district.

“The Simon Scholar Family Foundation has empowered hundreds of GGUSD high school students to achieve their college and career dreams,” said Board of Education Trustee Bob Harden, noting that the partnership began in 2007 supporting one GGUSD high school and is now currently supporting students at six of GGUSD’s seven comprehensive high schools.

In 2023, there were 200 Simon Scholars selected from schools across Orange County, 46 of those students or 25% of all Simon Scholars in Orange County are from Garden Grove Unified School District.

The Board of Education extended its gratitude to the Simon Family Foundation, presenting the 2023 GGUSD Community Heroes plaque to Simon Family Foundation Executive Director Andy Robles, Assistant Director of College Access Yesenia Cappellino, and Manager of Scholar Recruitment Juan Sigala.

The Simon Family Foundation provides $16,000 college scholarships to students who face challenging personal and economic circumstances. The program begins prior to students’ junior year and provides students with mentoring and support to ensure a successful road to college as well as resources like leadership training, college application assistance and SAT preparation.   The Simon Scholar program continues to support students while in college and after college with leadership and life skills workshops, college life and campus support, teambuilding, volunteer opportunities and networking through the Simon Family Foundation alumni network. 

“We are proud of our hardworking and ambitious Simon Scholars – all who have exciting plans for their college and career goals,” said GGUSD Board of Education Vice President Teri Rocco. “By becoming Simon Scholars, students are setting themselves up to be successful lifelong learners and will benefit greatly from being a part of this incredible program.”

Simon Scholars from Bolsa Grande High School include Ngoc Dang, Tracy Doan, Emma Montiel, Cheryl Nguyen, Nhu Y Vu Nguyen, Tien Nguyen, and Giang Tran; Garden Grove High School Simon Scholars include Arlene Arredondo, Guiseppe Lipari, Diego Lopez, Camila Mejia, Emily Nguyen, Jennifer Nguyen, Jazmine Ortega, and Elaine Tram. Simon Scholars from La Quinta High School include Hong Ngoc Chau, Alice Do, Cecilia Nguyen, Vanessa Rios and Lebron Tran. Simon Scholars from Los Amigos High School include Javier Duran, Wendy Evaristo, Alexander Lozano, Vy Ngo, Chau Nguyen, Teresa Nguyen, Beckham Nguyen, Madeleine Nguyen, Ashley Ocampo, Natalie Phan, Yaretzi Silva, My Vu, and Vy Vu. Simon Scholars from Rancho Alamitos High School include Denisse Delgado, Christine Duong, Anh Hoang, Courtney Nguyen, Thomas Nguyen, Jose Prieto, and Paige Sin. Simon Scholars from Santiago High School include Kimberly Alcala, Joceline Elizalde, Walter Gonzalez, Gia Le, and Kristine Nguyen.

Latest News