by Anne Donofrio-Holter
5/11/11
In an effort to support the advancement of El Monte Union High School District students who share its innovative spirit and determination, manufacturing and engineering company Miller Dial, LLC, awarded a $2,500 Young Innovator Scholarship to Arroyo High School senior Andy Shen and Mountain View High School senior Joanna Marrufo. The scholarships were awarded on the "student’s ability to either create a project that demonstrates innovation in the area of sustainability and environmental improvement or create a community service project that raises awareness about the issue the project is addressing." Shen and Marrufo also were required to write a one-page essay describing the role innovation, as well as their community, has played in their development as a student.
Both students received their scholarships from Congresswoman Judy Chu at a reception hosted by Miller Dial on May 7, 2011.
For his project, "From Garbage to Garden," Shen created a compost system using materials donated by his school and the surrounding community which he then used to create a garden at Arroyo High School. As part of the project, he distributed fliers to 50 local homes asking for trash. He then used a wagon to collect the trash, which weighed 160 kg and created 114,497 kilocalories of energy, from the participating homes.
"It was an honor to have been selected for the Young Innovator Scholarship, especially since it recognizes a project that emphasizes bringing the community together and eventually educating the community about sustainability," said Shen, who plans on attending the University of California at Berkley this fall where he will major in molecular biology.
For her project, Marrufo created and coordinated "Mountain View Earth Week." She organized a fashion show where teachers modeled attire created entirely from recyclable materials such as newspaper, cardboard, bubble wrap, plastic bottles and aluminum cans. During the week, Marrufo arranged for environmental products to be distributed and created lunchtime activities promoting "reduce, reuse and recycle." She also established the school's first "Green Club" and serves as its president.
"This award has empowered me to continue to serve my community in ways that are engaging, creative and educational and serves as a source of inspiration for my family and peers," said Marrufo. "Receiving this award is one of the most memorable highlights of my high school career. I was acknowledged and rewarded for doing what I am most passionate about which is spreading the environmental initiative."
A first-generation college student, Marrufo also plans on attending the University of California at Berkeley in the fall where she will major in environmental science.
"We wanted to do what we could to encourage innovation from our young citizens," said Jim Kaldem, Miller Dial president. " We who are “not so young” and struggle with all the new technology realize the need for innovative technologists will just increase exponentially with time. We offer up these scholarships as an encouragement to our young people to help ensure that happens!"
"This was a wonderful event attended by proud students, families and educators. On behalf of the board of trustees and our district, many thanks to Miller Dial for their support of our schools via this scholarship and for recognizing Joanna and Andy, two of our many talented students," said superintendent Nick Salerno. "The event was made even more special with the presence and support of Congresswoman Chu, El Monte Union High School District board member Tess Velasco, El Monte mayor Andre Quintero and councilman Jay Gomez."