GREENFIELD — For the first time in Greenfield High School’s history, five seniors received the coveted Apple Scholars scholarship, totaling $85,000 in grants.
The Apple Scholars Program is available to college-bound high school seniors who will attend a two- or four-year accredited college or university in the fall. Students needed to demonstrate their innovative use of technology in academics as part of the application process.
“We are thankful to the Apple Scholars Program for providing these very important resources for our students to continue to thrive in their post-secondary goals. We are very proud of our five recipients,” said Janet Matos, Greenfield High School principal. “We also want to acknowledge Mr. Barge for building these important partnerships with Apple.”
Engineering Design teacher Bernie Barge started the Robotics program at GHS two years ago.
“As a teacher, it was very moving to witness their reactions the day the students found out they received the Apple scholarship,” Barge said. “Our students are so often overlooked because of our location. This means so much to them, and they are truly grateful to Apple for their gracious support.”
The following students each received $17,000 to assist with their college expenses this fall: Aria Palamino, University of California, Davis; Jose Mendoza, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; Maribel Lopez-de Jesus, San Francisco State University; Edit Bautista, University of California, Los Angeles; and Julian Untalon, Hartnell Community College, Salinas.
“I couldn’t believe it, we all received the notice at the same time when we were in our Robotics club meeting,” said Bautista, upon learning that she was selected for the Apple Scholars scholarship. “This means so much to us that a company like Apple believes in our abilities and skills enough to provide us with this scholarship opportunity.”
Apple donated 100 robot kits to GHS Engineering pathway for use by the students enrolled in the four-year pathway program, as well as for those participating in the school’s Robotics Team.
The GHS team, including the five students that received the Apple Scholars scholarship, competed at the FIRST Robotics Competition Monterey Bay Regional held in Seaside on March 23-26. Greenfield garnered the coveted Judges Award during the event.
