The Classroom of the Future Foundation (CFF) recognizes that the inspiration to achieve in the classroom is reinforced by showcasing students who lead by example. Each year CFF awards AVID High Tech Academic Scholarships to inspirational San Diego County students of extraordinary achievement. CFF supports diversity, equity and inclusion. Underserved students in San Diego communities are a priority to Classroom of the Future Foundation.
This scholarship program is a collaboration with the San Diego County AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program and is underwritten by the USS Midway Museum, the Nancy Stabb Foundation, Classroom of the Future Foundation, and Bruce Braciszewski’s Innovation Strategy Fund and Scholarship. Since 1999, CFF has distributed approximately $1,000,000 in AVID STEM Scholarships to more than 600 deserving students who are pursuing STEM degrees.
CFF invites you to support deserving students like these to pursue a university degree in math, science, engineering, or technology. Donations to this special cause can be made on the CFF AVID STEM SCHLORSHIPS page.
CFF’S 2024 AVID HIGH TECH ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES
Join us in recognizing the achievements of 14 scholarship students from our 2024 Class of Awardees.
USS MIDWAY MUSEUM SCHOLARS (10 students)
JENNY TRAN
Jenny Tran is a 2024 graduate of Crawford Educational Complex in the San Diego Unified School District. She had a 4.57 weighted and a 3.93 unweighted GPA. She plans to attend the University of California San Diego and major in neurobiology with a career goal of becoming a neurologist.
Jenny was president of Helping Club, secretary and treasurer of Wildlife Conservation Club, treasurer of California Scholarship Federation, vice president of AVID Club, and an Alliance San Diego intern. She was a tutor for Coherent Development Research Institute, a volunteer at Rady Children’s Hospital, and an area assistant for the San Diego Earth Fair. Jenny was an AVID Top STEM Scholar, Crawford Scholar Athlete, and received an award from North Island Credit Union. Jenny wrote, “I am fascinated by neurology and its attention to brain disorders and traumatic brain injury, and I want to make care for these conditions accessible.”
JIMMY POLANCO
Jimmy Polanco is a 2024 graduate of Rancho Buena Vista High School in the Vista Unified School District. He had a 4.27 weighted and a 3.91 unweighted GPA. Jimmy will attend Cornell University and will major in biological science with a career plan to become a pediatrician. Jimmy was Chair of the City of Vista Youth Commission, president of the AVID Club, president of Key Club, and a member of Generation Green.
He was a member of the Rancho Buena Vista track and cross-country teams, a member of the Reliable Connection Club, a member of the California Scholarship Federation, and was an intern at Alta Vista Botanical Gardens. Jimmy was an International Baccalaureate diploma candidate, an AVID Top STEM Scholar, and an AP Scholar with Honors. He received a Rancho Buena Vista PTSA award, was given a Principal’s Honor Roll award, and was an AVID Student of the Month. Jimmy wrote, “Being a leader has taught me to take control of my own life, to find the opportunities that others cannot give me.”
JOSEPHINE PARK
Josephine Park is a 2024 graduate of Westview High School in the Poway Unified School District. She had a 4.11 weighted and a 3.85 unweighted GPA. Josephine will attend the University of California Irvine in the fall and will major in pharmaceutical sciences with the career goal of becoming a pharmacist. Josephine was co-leader of the media team of Living in Christ Ministry with the San Diego Korean United Methodist Church and a student leader for AWANA (Approved Workmen are not Ashamed).
She has participated in many piano competitions and has played piano since she was four years old. Josephine was a mentor and volunteer co-director for the Abundant Community Enrichment Program (ACEP), was a mentor and volunteer leader for Academy of Music and Art for Special Education (AMASE), was a volunteer with the Book Club of the San Diego Korean Parent Association and was a tutor with Rite Click Learning Point. She received a Congressional Award, a Presidential Service award, was an AVID Top STEM Scholar, received an AWANA Citation Award, and was an AP Scholar. Josephine shared, “I have confidence that this career path gives me a direct path toward helping people in need and this is something that gives me a greater purpose in life.”
LAURA CHAMBERS
Laura Chambers is a 2024 graduate of La Costa Canyon High School in the San Dieguito Union High School District. She had a 4.32 weighted and a 3.96 unweighted GPA. Laura will attend the University of Michigan in the fall and will major in aerospace engineering and astrophysics preparing for a career as an aeronautical or aerospace engineer.
Laura was the founder and president of the Optimist Club at La Costa Canyon High School, participated in competitive club soccer, and was vice president of the AVID Club. She was a competitive dancer at Carlsbad Performing Arts Academy, a summer camp counselor and after school program leader at the Boys and Girls Club, and a volunteer at Scripps Memorial Hospital. Laura was an AVID Top STEM Scholar, an AP Scholar, and a team leader at Carlsbad Performing Arts Academy. Laura shared, “Following my core values, the Junior Optimist Club and I have always strived to leave the community with a positive impact.”
LEONARD ROFAEL
Leonard Rofael is a 2024 graduate of Santana High School in the Grossmont Union High School District. He had a 4.6 weighted and 4.0 unweighted GPA. Leonard will attend University of California San Diego in the fall with a major in biology and the career goal of becoming a physician.
He was a member of the Academic League, president and founder of the Chaldean Culture Club, a server at St. Peter’s Chaldean Catholic Church, and a member of Chess Club. Leonard was an intern through Sharp Grossmont Hospital HESI (Health Exploration Summer Institute), a junior volunteer at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, and an AVID Top STEM Scholar. Leonard stated, “Now, logical thinking is necessary for my life, and I am striving to develop and refine this skill.”
MIRANDA ZENDEJAS
Miranda Zendejas is a 2024 graduate of Oceanside High School in the Oceanside Unified School District. Miranda had a 3.8 weighted and a 3.5 unweighted GPA. Miranda will attend Mira Costa Community College transferring after two years to the University of California Irvine majoring in health sciences with the career goal of nursing. Miranda was co-captain of the Oceanside High School Color Guard, a mentee with North County African American Women’s Association Global Ambassadors Program, and an Oceanside Museum of Art volunteer. Miranda was named an AVID Top STEM Scholar.
She received the OHS Band and Music Program Most Memorable Color Guard Member award, a Certificate of Completion with the NCAAWA Global Ambassador’s Program, a North County African American Women’s Association (NCAAWA) Scholarship, a GEAR UP for College Summer Dual Enrollment Classes Certificate of Completion/Recognition, Principal’s Honor Roll Award, and a Perfect Attendance Certificate. Miranda shared, “Memories are created with the people who you care for the most. They are these precious day-to-day experiences that we bring into being, which are then filed into our brains as still life photos.”
RUBY VILLANUEVA
Ruby Villanueva is a 2024 graduate of Mission Vista High School in the Vista Unified School District. She had a 4.1 weighted and a 4.0 unweighted GPA. Ruby will attend San Diego State University in the fall with a major in civil engineering and a career plan of owning her own engineering firm.
Ruby was a member of Reality Changers, Solutions for Change, and participated in UC San Diego EDGE (Empowerment and Development for Girls in Engineering). She was a member of the Mission Vista High School Girl’s Basketball team. Ruby was an AVID Top STEM Scholar, was recognized as Rising Star of the Month, and was on the Principal’s List. Ruby said, “My mother is my inspiration for my career. I am fortunate to call my mother a courageous, resilient woman who has taught me not to be afraid to show my identity in the engineering field.”
TAMMY TRUONG
Tammy Truong is a 2024 graduate of Mission Vista High School in the Vista Unified School District. Tammy had a 4.2 weighted and a 3.7 unweighted GPA. Tammy plans to attend the University of California Davis and major in neurobiology, physiology, and behavior with a career plan of becoming a surgeon. Tammy was a founding member of UNICEF Club, vice president of Amnesty International, treasurer of the California Scholarship Federation, and publicist for the National Honor Society.
Tammy was a member of the AP Club and a member of Key Club. She was a volunteer coordinator at Truc Non Dai Dang Buddhist Monastery, a True Care Volunteer, and was an intern at UC San Diego Envision. Tammy was a Mission Vista High School AVID Top STEM Scholar. Zein Stearman, Tammy’s AVID teacher wrote, “Tammy chose a path in life that would allow her to rise and not be influenced by the negativity. She is incredibly self-motivated and ambitious and strives to do more with herself than most students her age.”
THEODORE YOMADA
Theodore Yamada is a 2024 graduate of Poway High School in the Poway Unified School District. Theodore had a 4.2 weighted and a 4.0 unweighted GPA. Theodore will attend San Diego State University and major in mechanical engineering with the career goal of becoming an automotive design engineer. He was president of the Student Alumni Club, co-president of Growing Up AVID, was a member of the Poway Varsity Track and Field team, and a member of the Poway Varsity Football team.
Theodore was a biomedical engineering intern with the University of San Diego Outreach Program for Advanced Learning in STEM (OPALS), a member of the National Honors Society, delivered meals for Meals on Wheels, and organized many parks clean ups. Theodore was selected for the Poway High Titan Hall of Fame, was an AVID Top STEM Scholar, received an honorable mention in the National High School Poster competition for biomedical engineering, and received a certificate of recognition from County of San Diego Supervisor Joel Anderson. Teddy shared, “Through my leadership experience with the Student Alumni Club, I have been able to learn and grow along with my club members and have found my own style of leadership – leading by setting an example and modeling behavior for others.”
YUBELLE ELAINE PUNZAL
Yubelle Elaine Punzal is a 2024 graduate of Poway High School in the Poway Unified School District. She had a 4.04 weighted and a 3.90 unweighted GPA. Yubelle will attend the University of San Francisco and major in biology with the career goal of becoming a physician. She was the AVID Leadership co-president, a member of Mending Matters, a member of California Scholarship Federation, a member of Key Club, and a member of National Honors Society.
Yubelle was a Pathmaker Intern at Palomar Health, an AVID Middle School mentor, and volunteered at the Poway Winter Festival. Yubelle was awarded a Lamp of Learning Scholarship, the University of San Francisco Honors College and Presidential Scholarship, and the California State Seal of Civic Engagement. She earned True Titan Recognition and was an AVID Top STEM Scholar. Yubelle shared, “Self-growth comes from change and stepping out of your comfort zone, and I believe that gaining the confidence to speak up for myself has allowed me to become an advocate for others.”
NANCY STABB FOUNDATION SCHOLARS (3 students)
ADRIAN TOMA
Adrian Toma is a 2024 graduate of El Cajon Valley High School in the Grossmont Union High School District. He had a 4.66 weighted and a 3.98 unweighted GPA. Adrian will attend the University of California San Diego and major in engineering with a career goal of becoming an engineer.
Adrian was second captain of Academic League, founder of Robinhooders Club, and a member of Leo’s Club. He received the “Be Brave” award, was an AP Scholar, and was an AVID Top STEM Scholar. Adrian wrote, “I have learned to better myself by being a role model and putting in my best effort when it comes to school in order to become successful and help my family, who have been helping me and making me happy my whole life.”
ARIAN NAZERIAN
Arian Nazerian is a 2024 graduate of Rancho Bernardo High School in the Poway Unified School District. He had a 4.22 weighted and 3.93 unweighted GPA. Arian will attend Miramar Community College with plans to transfer to the University of California San Diego and will major in neurobiology with a career plan of becoming a neurologist.
He was a tutor and mentor with the Peer Counseling organization, a member of the Rancho Bernardo High School Biology Club, co-president of the Chess Club, a member of Math Club, a member of Crochet Club, and secretary of the Poetry Club. Arian was a member of the National Honors Society, tutored students at Black Mountain Middle School, was an event lead for Bernardo Heights Middle School Science Olympiad and was an executive on the AVID Senior Seminar tutoring committee. Arian was an AVID Top STEM Scholar, an AP Scholar with Distinction, and received the Seven Semester Silver Star. Arian wrote, “There is a certain thrill I get when I look back at all the things I have accomplished and the challenges I have overcome.”
SOFIA TOMAYO
Sofia Tamayo is a 2024 graduate of Carlsbad High School in the Carlsbad Unified School District. She had a 4.2 weighted and 3.85 unweighted GPA. Sofia will attend Harvey Mudd College and major in engineering with a career plan of becoming a mechanical engineer.
She was outreach lead for the FIRST Robotics team, president of MANA de North County, captain of the Speech and Debate team, and Diversity Equity Committee member of the Superintendent Advisory Council. She created a documentary for the Chicano Park Museum Committee and was a core team leader at Saint Patrick’s Church. Sofia was Carlsbad Chamber Rising Star of the Month, San Diego FIRST Technical Challenge Dean’s List Finalist, a Questbridge finalist, and an AVID Top STEM Scholar. Sofia shared, “As I progress in my career in mathematics and engineering, I will continue representing my ties to Oaxaca, Mexico. I love mathematics because there is no room for implicit bias when people see my integrals. My mathematical strengths prove to everyone I am capable of succeeding in STEM.”
BRUCE BRACISZEWSKI’S INNOVATION STRATEGY FUND AND SCHOLARSHIP (1 student)
BECKHAM NGUYEN
Beckham Nguyen is a 2024 graduate of Kearny High School of College Connections in the San Diego Unified School District. He had a 4.59 weighted and a 4.00 unweighted GPA. Beckham plans to attend the University of California San Diego and will major in human biology with a career plan of becoming a surgeon. Beckham was a member of the Kearny Varsity Boys Volleyball team, a member of the varsity tennis team, a member of Wahupa Upward Bound, supply manager for the Baking Buddies Club, and a member of the Flower and Craft Club.
He volunteered at Kaiser Permanente, was manager for the Kearny Girl’s Volleyball team, a member of Key Club, and a tutor and volunteer at Holy Family Catholic Church. Beckham was Kearny High School 2024 valedictorian, was an AVID Top STEM Scholar, was a Dell Scholar, received a Burger King Scholarship, won a Jones Family Scholarship, was on the San Diego Mesa College Dean’s List, and was awarded a Kearny Alumni Scholarship. Tamiko Stratton, AVID teacher shared, “Scholar, athlete, volunteer–one would be hard-pressed to find a more well-rounded student than Beckham Nguyen. Beckham’s positive attitude, genuine curiosity, and adventurous spirit make him an ideal student and role model for his peers.”