Mira Costa Students Receive $24,000 in Scholarships

By Lynne S. Gross

Six Mira Costa High School seniors received scholarships totaling $24,000 from the Manhattan Beach Coordinating Council at a luncheon Thursday. MBCC members selected the students from more than 200 applicants.

The six students are:            

• Brittany Donaleshen – A strong interest in fashion is leading Brittany to use her scholarship at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. She has been a finalist on an MTV show about fashion and regularly makes videos about fashion that are shown on YouTube. In addition, she has been a member of Nordstrom’s Fashion Board. Her other interests include soccer, track, and helping the homeless. 
• Taylor Lewis – Model United Nations and Friendship Circle are Taylor’s main passions. She was the Secretary-General who led the Mira Costa MUN delegation members to the nationwide student United Nations conferences where they received the Best Delegation trophy. As Friendship Circle president for two years, she has worked to brighten the lives of special needs children. The scholarship she won is underwritten by the Manhattan Beach Police Officers’ Association Officer Martin Ganz Memorial Fund. 
• Christina Regan – Having had summer jobs working in medical labs at USC and UCLA, Christina is already on her way to entering a career in medical research that she hopes will include Harvard medical school. She won first place in the Los Angeles County Science Fair and also helped bring medical relief to Haitian refugees. She has a 3.89 GPA, is president of the UNICEF Club, and participates on the high school water polo and swimming teams. Her scholarship is funded by the Phyllis Cohen Edwards Memorial Scholarship Fund. 
• Isaac Siegemund-Broka – With his 4.0 GPA and his interest in science, Isaac plans to major in biochemistry or neurobiology at Harvard so he can become an innovator in the field of biomedical research. He also has exceptional music talent. He is the principal clarinetist for the Westside Honor Band and as such performed at Disney Hall in a cultural exchange with musicians from China. He is the Mira Costa drum major and also part of the LA Phil Youth Orchestra Mentorship Program. 
• Jeremy Silva – Jeremy, who was the varsity lacrosse team captain, has been able to combine his main interests of sports and fitness by also offering free peer fitness encompassing training and nutritional counseling.  He also has played in Manhattan Beach Youth Basketball. In addition, he works hard on the academic side, maintaining a 3.8 GPA. He plans to attend the University of Tampa where he will major in kinesiology or athletic training. 
• Angelina Vollucci – Social work has been a strong suit for Angelina. She has undertaken many activities related to cancer research, inner city youth and her church. She has a 3.86 GPA and a number of academic and athletic awards. She plans to attend Loyola Marymount University to major in screenwriting and minor in psychology. She hopes to pursue a screenwriting career and have time to work in an OCD research clinic on the side.