Press Releases
21 High School Seniors Tapped as 2012 Milken Scholars
Equipping talented young men and women with the resources to become “Lifelong Leaders for a Better World” is goal of Milken Scholars Program
July 13, 2012
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (July 13, 2012) – The Milken Family Foundation announces the selection of 21 high school seniors as 2012 Milken Scholars. Each Scholar receives a $10,000 scholarship plus opportunities for ongoing mentoring, counseling, assistance with internships, opportunities for community service, and access to a range of resources for their academic and professional careers. “The remarkable young women and men who’ve been selected as Milken Scholars over the past 23 years have consistently worked to make the world a better place,” said Milken Family Foundation Co-Founder Michael Milken, who with his wife, Lori, instituted the program in 1989. “Whether they become doctors, research scientists, educators, entrepreneurs or diplomats, the common denominator of their pursuits has been a genuine sense of service. Lori and I look forward to working with our newest class of high-school graduates as they join the Scholars family to continue that spirit of accomplishment and contribution.”The 2012 Los Angeles Milken Scholars are:
- • Kennedy Agwamba, North Hollywood High School’s Highly Gifted Magnet, will attend Harvey Mudd College • Victor Arechiga, South East High School, will attend Williams College • Shilpa Bhongir, Granada Hills Charter High School, will attend Occidental College • Lucky Ding, Agoura High School, will attend the University of California, Berkeley • Jasmine Fernandez, Eagle Rock High School, will attend Harvard • Nicholas Fine, Palos Verdes High School, will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology • Nhi Ho, Santa Monica High School, will attend the Harvard • Jacob Kim, Village Christian School, will attend Harvard • Joshua Lee, North Hollywood High School’s Highly Gifted Magnet, will attend Wesleyan University • Joy Ohiomoba, Redondo Union High School, will attend the University of Southern California • Dennis Ojogho, Los Angeles High School, will attend Harvard • Vaneshia Reed, Middle College High School, will attend Harvard • David Wang, Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, will attend Harvard • Caitlin Zellers, Palos Verdes High School, will attend Dartmouth College
Learn more about the 2012 Milken Scholars from Los Angeles.The 2012 New York City Milken Scholars are:
- • Abdel Ahmed, Bard High School Early College II, will attend Polytechnic Institute of New York University • Maryama Diaw, The Young Women’s Leadership School, will attend Dartmouth College • Michael Glasser, Regis High School, will attend Wesleyan University • Valencia Lewis, Benjamin N. Cardozo High School, will attend the University of Pennsylvania • Juliansito Perez, High School at American Studies at Lehman College, will attend Princeton University • Hankyul (Laura) Song, The Brooklyn Latin School, will attend Vassar College • Ashley Vourakis, Bronx High School of Science, will attend Harvard University
Learn more about the 2012 Milken Scholars from New York. The Milken Scholars Program chooses exceptional high school seniors based on their academic performance, community service, leadership activities and triumphs over obstacles. With the help of college advisors at high schools in New York City and Los Angeles, the Milken Scholars Program identifies outstanding students and nominations are based on the following criteria:
- • Minimum grade point average of 3.6 (unweighted) or 90% in all academic high school subject areas; • Minimum composite SAT I Reasoning score of 1850 with results submitted for Critical Reading, Math, and Writing, or a minimum ACT score of 28; • Active participation in community service activities; • A record of leadership; • Financial need; • Admission to a four-year college or university prior to final selection; and • United States Citizenship or Permanent Residency.
Candidates must complete a rigorous selection process that includes a lengthy application, as well as submission of letters of recommendation, high-school transcripts and a financial aid profile. Finalists are then selected and invited to interview. The Program’s more than 300 Milken Scholars hail from diverse backgrounds with nearly one-third born outside the United States and three-quarters with parents originating from more than 50 countries. Every summer, all Scholars are invited to attend a three-day annual Summit in Los Angeles, where MFF staff and a range of distinguished speakers provide a forum for the participants to discuss issues crucial to their future success. "By identifying these talented young people and then providing them with resources and networks, the Milken Scholars Program supports these exceptional youth in the pursuit of their goals," said Dr. Jane Foley, director of the Milken Scholars Program and senior vice president of the Milken Educator Awards. "The Scholars have the ability, motivation and determination to make substantial contributions to society. It is our aim to help them realize their ambitions."
For bios and photos, visit, our newsroom. For details about the Program, visit Mff.org/scholars.