Library recognizes outstanding students

VICTORIA ANGULO/Special to The Acorn INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE—Four Ventura County high school seniors are awarded $8,000 scholarships from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Foundation. From left, Giobio Boo, Royal High School; Carol Yu, Westlake High; Steven Page, Trinity Pacific Christian School, and Emilie Mateu, Royal High. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation honored 82 Ventura County high school seniors at a recognition dinner on May 13.

The event at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley included the presentation of $50,000 in college scholarships to 15 students and a talk by Gary Foster, a former communications officer with presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.

Foster, who is now corporate communications senior vice president for Disney Consumer Products, described being interested in politics at a young age and dreaming of working in the nation's capital. He eventually got there, spending 15 years in service.

"There's probably no better training ground in public relations and communications than waking up every morning and facing the White House press corps," Foster said.

Foster described Reagan as genuine."He never made you feel like you were not on his level," Foster said.

"We really want this current president to succeed because it's in all of our best interest," Foster said. "Given the right regulations and financial constraints we will get through this." He urged students to pursue their dreams but to understand that there may be deviations.

Fifteen students received scholarships varying in amounts from $1,000 to $8,000 and a copy of the book "Ronald Reagan: An American Hero," signed by Nancy Reagan. In addition, $500 was donated to the high schools attended by each of the top four recipients—Giobio Boo and Emilie Mateu of Royal High School, Carol Yu of Westlake High, and Steven Page of Trinity Pacific Christian School.

All 82 students were presented with the biography "Ronald Reagan: The Presidential Portfolio" by Lou Cannon, a veteran journalist who covered Reagan's career for more than two decades.

Students applied for the honor by submitting recommendations, grade transcripts and an essay. The essay prompt was more difficult this year than in the past because students had to compare and contrast the Reagan and Obama presidencies, said Melissa Giller, director of Communications and Programs.

"The students showed a deep understanding of history and politics and today's issues," Giller said.

The library staff looks forward to the scholarship awards each year.

"To be able to provide deserving students in Ventura County with support to help them further their leadership is just an honor for us," Giller said. "We all get goosebumps from watching the families' reactions, their excitement and pride."

Michael Valentino of Thousand Oaks High School said he is a huge Ronald Reagan fan and has a photo in his bedroom of the former leader. Valentino, who will study political science at Gonzaga University in Washington state, hopes to follow in his role model's footsteps and serve as president.

May Leslie attended the event with her son Kristopher from Newbury Park High School. Kristopher will attend Pepperdine University in Malibu.

"This is such a great honor for these kids. They all worked so hard to get here," May Leslie said.

The judges included Ventura County Supervisor Peter Foy, Ventura County District Attorney Gregory Totten, Moorpark College President Dr. Pam Eddinger, several members of the Hoover Institution which is a Stanford University public policy research center, and a local professional/ business leader.

The other winners who received $1,000 or $2,000 awards were Laudan Imani, Moorpark High; Stephen Marsh and Kyle Priske, Thousand Oaks High; Kathryn Enriquez, Adolfo Camarillo High; Brianna Fischer, Oak Park High; Sariely Sandoval, Ventura High; Joseph Deleon, Grace Kim and Julia Villarruel, Buena High; Janet Montelongo, Nordhoff High, and Natalie Garnica, Fillmore High.