KUDOS
Kudos to Randy McCray Eastlake High Band Director
The Sweetwater District is pleased to announce that Randy McCray, Band Director at Eastlake High School, has been selected as the recipient of the 2021 Byron Hoyt/Don Schmeer Band Educator Award by the California Music Educators Association, Southern Border Section! Mr. McCray epitomizes the very beset of music education throughout the Southern Region. Congratulations Mr. McCray!!
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Montgomery High Student Receives Full-Ride Scholarship
Victoria Ruiz, a Montgomery High School senior has received a full-ride scholarship to Dartmouth College. It is said the scholarship is a competitive full-ride scholarship and will pay expenses beyond what is paid by grants and other scholarships.
“I am very much excited to attend Dartmouth next year and I’m really grateful for everyone who has helped me get this far,” said Ruiz. “This is a very exciting opportunity to be able to share my story with others so that they can also apply for scholarships and attend college.”
Ruiz received her admission and scholarship for Dartmouth College by way of the Questbridge Program. Each year, Questbridge has an element in the program called the National College Match, a competitive application process in which students are matched to a school with a full-four-year scholarship. The application is based on a student's academic achievement and low-socio-economic status.
According to Ruiz, Dartmouth was on the top of her list of schools. “I was astounded by the amazing community and the strong academics offered at Dartmouth,” said Ruiz. “I researched more about the Thayer School of Engineering and found a great opportunity to conduct research and learn from some of the best professors in the country.” Ruiz plans on pursuing a bachelor’s in engineering with a focus on Biomedical Engineering. “My goal is to one day be able to help design medical devices and prosthetics to help people across the world.”
Ruiz has a long history of academic performance; she ranked 1 out of 397 students in her senior class with a 4.8 GPA and she has taken a total of eight AP exams. In terms of her community involvement, Ruiz was a tutor her sophomore year for the GRIT program and recently began volunteering with San Ysidro Health to help host covid vaccination events in Escondido, California. She is also a member of various clubs and organizations, the most significant, First Gen Scholars that helped with review of her essays and guided her through the college application process.
When Ruiz reflects back on what made her stand out to be one of the 1,674 scholarship recipients (only 30 accepted to Dartmouth) from over 16,500 applicants, it was her involvement, academic performance, and personal story. As a first-generation student , Ruiz has experienced many hardships in life. From someone who struggled to learn English after growing up in Mexico, to becoming part of the top-ranking students in her school, you can gather that she is committed to her education and goals.
“My goal is to inspire others that they can also get these opportunities if they work hard and are committed to their education and goals,” said Ruiz. "Although I am afraid of moving far away, I am looking at it as an opportunity to grow and to learn more about myself and my interests. To me it is like moving onto a new chapter in my life, while still coming back to revisit and help inspire more students within my community here in San Diego.”
Sweetwater High School awarded CIF Sportsmanship Award
Sweetwater High School Principal Maribel Gavin - “Tonight Sweetwater High School was presented the Sportsmanship Award by CIF officials due to our football players, coaches, and fans carrying themselves with respect and integrity. Very proud!” @SUHSD @SUHSDAthletics1 @SUHiDevils @GoSUHiFootball
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