Receiving the largest individual scholarships at CSU Stanislaus are five graduating high school seniors who have been named President’s Scholars and another seven incoming freshmen and a Modesto Junior College transfer selected as Provost’s Scholars. Presidential Scholarships provide $12,500 per year for four years, and the Provost Scholarships are $3,500 per year for four years.
Named as Presidential Scholars are Anne Coleman of Turlock High School, Nicholas Johnson of Paraclete High School (Lancaster), Randall Robinson of Thomas Downey High School (Modesto), Crystal Sundburg of Peter Johansen High School (Modesto), and Camila Sweaney of Ripon High School.
Provost Scholarship recipients are Erika Bucheli of Johansen High School (Modesto), Paulo Costa of Hilmar High School, Amanda Garcia of Keys to Learning Charter High School (Ceres) who is a Modesto Junior College transfer, Tyler Harris of John Pitman High School (Turlock), Chelsea Lopes of Connecting Waters Charter High School (Turlock), Kenneth Maschinchi of Central Catholic High School (Modesto), Brian Meenk of Big Valley Christian High School (Modesto), and Robert Van Sant of Downey High School (Modesto).
“California State University, Stanislaus takes pride in rewarding these outstanding scholars who have demonstrated the highest levels of academic achievement in preparing themselves for college, “President Hamid Shirvani said. “They will continue to distinguish themselves academically and professionally in the coming years, and we are proud that they chose CSU Stanislaus for their university educations.”
The scholars, straight-A high school students, are pursing majors that include Biology, Chemistry, English, Mathematics, History, Communications, Liberal Arts/Teaching, Psychology, and Physical Education. They have career plans ranging from teaching and wildlife research to law and medicine.
California State University Stanislaus
2009-2010 President’s/ Provost’s Scholars
President’s Scholars:
Anne Coleman is a Turlock High School graduate majoring in Biology. She plans to seek a Masters Degree in Communicative Disorders so that she can fulfill her goal of becoming a Speech and Language Pathologist. She maintains an active interest in serving the community, and looks forward to working in a hospital environment.
Nicholas Johnson is a graduate of Paraclete High School in Lancaster. He was a member of the California Scholarship Federation and The National English Honors Society. Johnson also worked on service projects with Relay for Life and the Knights of Columbus. He is an undeclared major.
Randall Robinson, a graduate of Thomas Downey High School in Modesto, is majoring in Chemistry with plans to teach high school. His high school activities included: attending the 2008 RYLA Leadership Camp sponsored by Rotary Club, winning the 2008 Modesto Regional Science Bowl competition, participating in Science Olympiad, and being a member of the California Scholarship Federation.
Crystal Sundburg, who graduated from Peter Johansen High School in Modesto, is majoring in Biology with the ultimate goal of becoming a wildlife researcher. She is currently Vice President of her Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter and showed at the Stanislaus County Fair in 2008. She also mentors younger students through the Link Crew and PALS programs.
Camila Sweaney, a graduate of Ripon High School, is majoring in English. Her high school activities included: participating in Link Crew, serving as newspaper Editor-in-Chief, and membership in the Renaissance Honors Club. In 2007, she was awarded second place in the Lion’s Club speech contest and received a Rotary International scholarship to attend leadership camp. She plans to become a high school English teacher and would like to eventually teach English at the university level.
Provost’s Scholars:
Erika Bucheli, a graduate of Johansen High School in Modesto, is the first member of her family to attend college. She has yet to determine a major, but enjoys working with people and remains actively involved in community service. Her activities have included membership in the Speech and Debate club, participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, and being a finalist in the 2007 Modesto Peace Essay Contest.
Paulo Costa graduated as Valedictorian of Hilmar High school with a 4.5 grade point average. He wants to earn a Bachelors of Science Degree in either Mathematics or Physics and complete a doctorate degree in a related field. At Hilmar High, he earned Achievement in Mathematics and Science awards and participated in Track and Soccer from 2006-2009.
Amanda Garcia, who graduated from Keys to Learning Charter High School in Ceres, is a transfer from Modesto Junior College. She plans to major in history with a minor in English. In addition to being named in Who’s Who Among High School Students in 2006, she was a National Hispanic Scholar in 2007 and a Golden State Scholar in 2008. Garcia plans to earn a teaching credential and aspires to edit historical fiction.
Tyler Harris, a graduate of Pitman High School in Turlock, is a lifetime member of the California Scholarship Federation and a U.S. Army National Scholar Athlete graduate. He was named Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2006 and 2009 and the Most Valuable Player of the Pitman High baseball team in 2009. Harris, who will pitch for the Warriors baseball team, has not yet declared his major, but is considering careers in medicine and law.
Chelsea Lopes, a graduate of Connecting Waters Charter High School in Turlock, is a Liberal Studies major with a concentration in Elementary Education. She was a member of the California Scholarship Federation from 2006-2009 and the National Honor Society. Lopes has already volunteered for many hours in elementary classrooms and plans to pursue a Master’s Degree in Education.
Kenneth Mashinchi, a graduate of Central Catholic High School in Modesto, is majoring in Communications. He is a National Honors Society and California Scholarship Federation member and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity in 2007. His goal is to earn a Master’s Degree in Journalism and become a television broadcaster.
Brian Meenk, a graduate of Big Valley Christian High School in Modesto, is majoring in Physical Education. He has participated in track and cross country for four years and advanced to the San-Joaquin Section Championships each year. Meenk is considering careers in coaching and personal fitness training.
Robert Van Sant, who graduated from Thomas Downey High School in Modesto, is majoring in Psychology with the goal of becoming a high school psychologist. A talented pianist, he has performed piano recitals for the Certificate of Merit Program during his high school years. He also has experience as a camp counselor.
