SCHOLARSHIPS
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One of our missions is to provide scholarships to deserving students at Hiram Johnson High School. We are able to provide scholarships to these students through fundraising and generous contributions from neighbors and local businesses in our community. Consider making your tax-deductible gift today!
Congratulations to our 2024 scholarship winners!
In Spring 2024, the Tahoe Park Neighborhood Association awarded 9 Hiram Johnson Seniors a total of $5,250 in scholarships as they prepared for graduation and to begin their higher education careers.
TPNA President Isaac Gonzalez congratulated Newnarin Saetern, Shaun Thao, Alisa Say, Jailia Xiong, Andrea Padilla, Bryce Teurn, Vanessa Gonzalez Mendoza, Zhiwo (Zander) Jiang, and Alisha Xiong for their dedication to learning and overcoming numerous challenges to get to where they are today. Notably, these scholarship recipients started their high school years at the height of the pandemic in Fall 2020, when most campuses were closed. Despite that difficult beginning, they all found their path to college. Your support of TPNA makes our scholarship program possible. To date, TPNA has awarded over $80,000 in scholarships to Hiram Johnson seniors. 
On February 18, 2016 the Sacramento City Unified School District presented TPNA with a certificate of appreciation. Scholarship Chair Bill Motmans accepted the certificate and shared the following remarks:
“A little over a decade ago, when I was first elected the Tahoe Park Neighborhood Association president, the then TPNA vice president, Ed Sanders, came to me with an idea to award scholarships to deserving Hiram Johnson seniors who would be going on to 4-year colleges and universities. BUT THERE WAS A TWIST! Usually scholarships are awarded based mostly on the student's academic achievements. Ed's vision was to recognize and reward that student who didn't necessarily have the 4.0 or 4.0+ G.P.A. These scholarships would not rely solely on these statistics, but on the young person whose grades were not necessarily among the leaders, but had demonstrated an ability to overcome challenging socioeconomic circumstances, or perhaps from a home where English was a second language--perhaps no one from their family had an opportunity for higher education. To get a better picture, applicants were asked to include an essay, "What Community Service Means to Me" with their application. Over the years, the emphasis and consideration for the academic and other achievement has changed and evolved somewhat, but that desire and commitment to higher education while overcoming challenges is one of the most important components TPNA evaluates when considering awardees. Now, having awarded over [then: over $42,000, now: over $50,000] to approximately 70 graduates, we continue to be amazed and inspired by these young scholars. Let me read you a quote from an essay from an awardee a few years ago: "My version of community service is showing the world that there are diamonds in the rough, that there is talent of every sort in every neighborhood of the United States, and that even in the darkest of shadows, light can be found in every color, shape, and form." This young man, from a single parent household, was also the financial breadwinner for the family. Over the years we have enjoyed the support of local businesses, as well as former Council member McCarty, and current Council member Eric Guerra, along with numerous parent and teacher associations. Overwhelmingly, however, it's the support from the community which keeps us going. On behalf of the Tahoe Park Neighborhood Association, thank you for this recognition.” 
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Congratulations to all of our scholarship awardees; we are proud of you!
2024 Newnarin Saetern Shaun Thao Alisa Say Jailia Xiong Andrea Padilla Bryce Teurn Vanessa Gonzalez Mendoza Zhiwo (Zander) Jiang Alisha Xiong 2023 Shakiba Ghulam Sakhi Krystal Vasquez Kaylie Saeteun San Selena Madrigal Longjie Zhong Sheng-Chang Chen Arianna Romero Rihang Huang 2022 Leichu Liang Gwendalynn Thor Kamari Snow Leonne Vaituulala Aury Perez Mariana Reyes Reyes 2021 Ronniezha Henderson Kaitlyn Kailonn Long Pham Abner Minor Weitao Wang Qingfa Liu Julia Moua 2020 Raymond Chhua Hero Do Emily Ho Brandon Song Alexandria Trinh Revequita Velasquez 2019 Fu-Yuan Chen Favio Hernandez Michelle A. Young Sabrina Young Jamezenya M. Akens Helen X. Duong Zijun Jiang Ryan Tham 2018 Jason Chervanov Erika Herrera Rahjae Johnson Anna Nguyen Varn Saechao Caitlin Song 2017 Michelle Chuong Lisa Do Jose Benites Gallegos Marlena Gonzalez Kasual Johnson Kimberly Moua Nely Munoz Pena Fatima Cuellar Rodriguez Nadee Thao Sunshine Vue Duy Vo 2016 Jessica Chervanev Daymond Kietsathit Sophia Lira Anh Nguyen Lisa Saechao Luck Vuong 2015 Kieyre Arnold Sarah Ashraf Jessica Cabellos Sally Chen John Chervanev Juan Martir Marta Olivas Brenda Saephan Patrick Xiong Sunny Yang 2014 Irene Andres Cindy Chenh Stephanie Lee Mareena Lim Hoai Nguyen Farm Saechao 2013 Leticia Ceballos Mi Ung Felicia Vasquez Kao Yang 2012 Kenny Chen Anh Hua Anh-Dao Huynh Tatyan Kolpakchi Selena Miranda Lavoyce Nguyen Farm Saelee Shirley Saeturen 2011 Touqeer Ahmed Sergio Robles Kimberly Saepan 2010 Desmond Moore Yen Nguyen Viktor Palenyy Samantha Lysay Thong 2009 Brianna Osbourne 2008 Geena Carrington Curtis Dao Fam Saechao 2007 Maria G. Castro James L. Richard Ka Vue 2006 Monique Campbell Maria Navarro | ||