Schools

Coordinating Council Awards $24,000 in Scholarships

Six Mira Costa seniors are honored with scholarships from the Manhattan Beach Coordinating Council. Elias Rivas receives the MB Police Officers' Association Officer Martin Ganz Memorial Scholarship; Ryan Daly the Phyllis Cohen Edwards Memorial Scholarship

Six Mia Costa High students received scholarships from the Manhattan Beach Coordinating Council during a luncheon presentation at Verandas Thursday.

Austin Ahn, Julia Bakerink, Elizabeth Banach, Ryan Daley, Austin Phillips and Elias Rivas were awarded the scholarships which totalled $24,000 and were the result of contributions from for-profit and non-profit organizations, money raised during luncheon raffles and other fundraising activities.

“We feel so fortunate to be able to recognize six outstanding students from Mira Costa High School. They all have bright futures ahead of themselves, and we are proud to be able to help fund their college educations,” said Jill Brunkhardt, MBCC president.

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Here is a brief look at each awardee:

Austin Ahn is planning to major in medicine or architecture. His interest in medicine stems from the care he received from doctors when he sustained serious injuries and went through several surgeries during a four-year period. His interest in architecture was piqued when he obtained a graphics design internship in Germany. During the internship, he spent his evenings working at a Korean restaurant.

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Julia Bakerink will focus on working in broadcast journalism, and is well on her way, having won three major national competitions with stories she produced for Mira Costa’s video production program. She also volunteers for A Chance for Children, a non-profit organization that helps inner city and homeless at-risk children, where, among other things, she teaches the children to swim.

Elizabeth Banach is hoping to pursue a career as a registered nurse and is particularly interested in becoming a pediatric nurse. She has been active in a variety of activities that deal with children and is also interested in animal rights. For the latter, she belongs to the Too Many Bunnies Club and assists by helping homeless bunnies find food and shelter.

Ryan Daly is the recipient of the Phyllis Cohen Edwards Memorial Scholarship. He wants to become a doctor because he knows what his family went through when he was fighting leukemia at age four. As a teenager, he has been active in the American Cancer Society Kids Kamp. In addition, he is a varsity football player, and very active in the B’nai Brith Youth Organization, including being the president of a three-county region.

Austin Phillips plans to major in economics and study abroad doing a government internship. He hopes someday to obtain an MBA and excel in business. He has struggled with being dyslexic and with a challenging home life, but has been successful with his course work, including Advanced Placement courses. He has also been a member of the Mira Costa varsity wresting team.

Elias Rivas is receiving the Manhattan Beach Police Officers’ Association Officer Martin Ganz Memorial Scholarship. He eventually plans to attend law school and seek work in the public sector. Among his accomplishments are: scholar-athlete award, finalist in the National Hispanic Scholar Recognition Program, football team linebacker, drama class best actor award and homecoming king. With a Jewish mother and Cuban father, he has been inspired by both the Jewish and Hispanic cultures.


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