6 EDCAL May 21 , 2018
Two Lynwood students win Edison STEM scholarships
Two extraordinary high school seniors have won $ 40,000 Edison International STEM scholarships to pursue their passions for engineering and molecular biology at Stanford University .
Lynwood High School classmates Abieiden Lopez and Lesly Leon are two of 30 students to earn the honor from Edison International , the parent company of Southern California Edison . The program annually awards $ 1.2 million in scholarships to 30 high school seniors pursuing majors in science , technology , engineering and math fields at four-year universities . Each $ 40,000 scholarship will be paid over four years .
“ It ’ s such a great honor and accomplishment for me to earn the award ,” Leon said . “ It ’ s always been a goal of mine to prove that there is a lot of talent in underrepresented communities , and for me this is the beginning of that process .”
Leon begins each weekday at 5:30 a . m . helping her father plan logistics for his trucking company . By the time she finishes Advanced Placement classes at Lynwood High , it ’ s time for her to head to swim practice , which is followed by a night of studying and homework .
Leon and Lopez were selected from more than 2,000 applicants to the Edison Scholars program .
“ To earn an Edison Scholarship is such a special honor for a student and their
Lynwood High School seniors Abieiden Lopez , left , and Lesly Leon are among 30 high school students to receive $ 40,000 STEM college scholarships from Edison International . family ,” said Lynwood USD Superintendent Gudiel Crosthwaite . “ Congratulations to both Lesly and Abieiden , who have achieved this through their drive to succeed .”
Lopez has a passion for engineering and advocacy and will major in electrical engineering and minor in political science .
“ I want to receive the best education possible so that I can work on the big issues the world faces today and come back to Lynwood as a role model to others and a positive force for change within our community ,” Lopez said .
Taking college courses every semester at Lynwood HS , Lopez has already received enough credits to receive an AMETLL Certificate of Engineering Design , through a partnership with district partner Cerritos College . She balances four to five AP classes per semester with a full schedule of extracurricular activities . Lopez is the founder of the Lynwood High Community Service Club , which is now affiliated with the Kiwanis Club , and is vice president of LHS National Honor Society chapter . A proponent of developing sustainable energy technologies to combat climate change , Lopez was director of the district ’ s second annual Girls STEM Conference last year .
Leon will pursue molecular biology and plans to become an oncologist . Last summer , she developed a cancer research proposal to get a better understanding of current treatment options . She also volunteers at St . Francis Medical Center .
“ Lesly and Abieiden have shown a commitment to being standouts inside the classroom and out ,” Lynwood Board President Alfonso Morales said . “ We are so proud of all that they have accomplished and look forward to watching their success in the next stages of their lives .”
LUSD College Promise
Lynwood Unified School District is launching a partnership with Compton College that will provide graduates with priority registration , guaranteed admission , financial aid assistance and programs to help with college readiness starting with the class of 2019 .
The College Promise Partnership , approved in August 2017 , will be solidified at a signing ceremony in April , with representatives from the college and the school district pledging their efforts to ensure student success .
“ We are extremely proud to enter into this partnership with Compton College so that we can continue our commitment to our students in creating higher education opportunities ,” Crosthwaite said . “ At Lynwood Unified , we believe that having administrative support and guaranteed admissions will encourage more students to achieve academic excellence .”
As part of the College Promise Partnership , Lynwood graduates who enroll in 12 units will receive free tuition and waived enrollment fees during the first year of college .
“ A college-going culture is necessary for economic growth in local communities ,” said Keith Curry , president of Compton College . “ The Lynwood College Promise agreement will help build an awareness beginning in middle school that higher education is accessible for LUSD families .”
Compton College will assist Lynwood graduates in completing the steps to register as well as applying for financial aid . The college also provides summer bridge classes that help students with English and math placement .
The district ’ s graduation rate climbed from 58.6 percent in 2010-11 to 84.4 percent in 2016-17 .
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