Nogales High School Senior Benito Gonzalez
Recipient of Horatio Alger Association Scholarship
and Alexander Hamilton Scholar
Benito Gonzalez, Horatio Alger Association and Alexander Hamilton Scholar Recipient
For the third consecutive year, a Nogales High School student has taken home the Horatio Alger Association Scholarship. International Baccalaureate (IB) student Benito Gonzalez is the recipient of the $10,000 academic and service based scholarship that is awarded to students who have exhibited determination, integrity, and perseverance in overcoming adversity.

“My brother passed away during my junior year. I shared in my application that he had disabilities and that he always inspired me to take advantage of all the opportunities that I could," said Gonzalez. "Another inspiration to me was my college counselor Ricardo Ramirez. He was instrumental in me reaching higher education institutions that I didn’t think were possible. He has really been there for me and I thank him for believing in me.”  Gonzalez received an additional scholarship to attend UC Berkeley, where he is currently undeclared, but leaning towards political science.
 
Gonzalez was also one of 35 students to receive the national recognition of being named an Alexander Hamilton Scholar. It recognizes high-achieving, service-oriented high school juniors (during the summer before their senior year) who embody the Hamiltonian principles of character and leadership through service. The rigorous 5-year program is designed to empower each Scholar to be successful in college and career, and they attend yearly conferences called Leader Weeks. Due to the pandemic, they were unable to attend the in-person meetings in New York, but Gonzalez is looking forward to the summer after his freshman year in college, where the Hamilton Scholars will gather to meet in Guatemala.

“I will always remember my time in the International Baccalaureate program at Nogales High School and the bonds I made with my fellow IB classmates," said Gonzalez. "Being accepted to the PAYS program, where I spent three consecutive summers on the Pomona College campus alongside professors is also a memory I will never forget. It really helped me come out of my shell and be prepared for college. My advice to incoming Nobles is to get involved as much as possible in the clubs that are available and to push yourself by taking the highest level courses offered."
FBLA Students Bring Home Awards at State Competition and Are Headed for Nationals This Month!
Angel Sanchez
Michael Tang
Rowland High School Seniors Angel Sanchez and Michael Tang will compete at the National Future Business Leaders of America Conference June 28 - July 1, which more than 10,000 students attend. 
The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) prepares high school students for careers in business and is the largest business student organization in the world. The Rowland High School FBLA Chapter had 18 students compete at the recent virtual state conference in 18 events. Ten students received 14 awards for placing in the top 10 for their events.
 
“The FBLA state competition is an event that comprises the best of the best across our state. With more than 1,700 students competing this year, our students went above and beyond with their self-study regiment, especially during the pandemic which brought on other challenges in their academic and personal lives. I am enormously proud of all of the RHS winners! Out of the 14 awards, seniors Michael Tang and Angel Sanchez qualified to compete at Nationals and proved that they can achieve greatness. I wish them the best," said Business Education Teacher and Co-Advisor of FBLA, Caroline Manookian.
 
"It definitely means a lot to me to place at the state competition this year and come in at second, especially since I qualified for the state level last year but wasn't able to compete due to the pandemic. As for competing at the national level, I am looking forward to representing my FBLA chapter and school that have earned great accomplishments in the past. Lastly, I would like to thank my amazing teachers and fellow FBLA members who have helped me learn to perform my best at these competitions," said Michael Tang.
 
"This award is a sign of the hard work that I put into this competition and a reminder of what happens when I put my mind to accomplishing a goal. It is a great honor to go and compete with fellow students from across the nation. I am grateful for this opportunity to compete at Nationals, and I hope to remember this moment forever," said Angel Sanchez.
Congratulations to FBLA Student Winners
Priscilla (Tong) Ye, 7th place (Accounting 1)
Alexandra (Peili) Huang, 10th place (Accounting II)
Angel Sanchez, 4th place (Accounting II)
Melody Dao, 6th place (Broadcast Journalism / team event)
Melody Dao, 5th place (Entrepreneurship)
Katrina Nguyen, 6th place (Broadcast Journalism / team event)
Krishna Nathani, 6th place (Hospitality & Event Management / team event)
Krishna Nathani, 7th place (Marketing / team event)
Edward New, 6th place (Hospitality & Event Management / team event)
Edward New, 10th place (Securities and Investments)
Victoria Wong, 6th place (Hospitality & Event Management /team event)
Victoria Wong, 7th place (Marketing / team event)
Ian Szeto, 7th place (Marketing / team event)
Michael Tang, 2nd Place (Personal Finance)
UPCOMING EVENTS...
CLICK HERE to watch the 2021 Rowland High School Virtual Senior Recognition and Awards Ceremony tonight at 6 PM.
CLICK HERE to view the video of the 2021 Nogales High School Senior Awards Recognition that already aired!
Class of 2021 Santana High School Graduation Ceremony will be LIVE on the Rowland Unified School District YouTube channel for those who cannot attend in person.  We are looking forward to a wonderful ceremony and you will be able to experience it virtually through multiple camera angles.


#WeAreRUSD
June 1, 2021 Issue RUSD News Editor gward@rowlandschools.org
Proud to Serve Our Communities of Rowland Heights, La Puente, Walnut & West Covina
www.RowlandSchools.org