Scholars Today
Where are they now?
It's so rewarding when we have the opportunity to catch up with a past scholar and learn about her university experience, her sorority choice, and her future dreams.
Ava Philson is a Palm Desert High School graduate of 2022. She is attending the University of California Los Angeles and majoring in Environmental Science with a minor in French Language and Studies and Geographic Information Systems. After graduating, she plans to attend law school. In November 2022, Ava was initiated into the Alpha Iota Chapter of Kappa Delta. Within her chapter, she has served as the Sustainability Director and Girl Scout Philanthropy Director. Other ways she is involved on campus are as a member of the Ocean Resources for Conservation and Advocacy (ORCA) club and working for the Intramural Program as an official for Basketball and Flag Football. Ava is also passionate about continuing her service here in the Coachella Valley when she gets the chance to volunteer at the FIND Food Bank during breaks.
Jacque Perez was a 2022 CVAP Scholarship from Shadow Hills High School. She is attending the University of San Diego majoring in Political Science with a minor in Communication Studies. She intends to study law after graduation from USD. Jacque pledged Kappa Alpha Theta and was initiated March 10, 2024. In addition to pledging Kappa Alpha Theta and studying hard, Jacque is also a Resident Assistant. She has participated in many campus and sorority activities, including Phi Alpha Delta, a pre-law fraternity.
Jacque's “Theta Big Sister,” Angela Laziti, also spoke at our 2024 Scholarship Luncheon, sharing the benefits of joining a sorority and encouraging CVAP Scholars to consider rushing.
Linda Simmons, Scholarship Chair, presented the certificate for the Sorority Scholarship Award and $2,000.oo to Jacque Perez
Natalie is a La Quinta High School graduate of the class of 2020 and recently graduated Magna Cum Laude with her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology with minors in Biomedical Ethics and philosophy from the University of San Diego in 2024. Beyond her academic career, Natalie was initiated as a member of the Epsilon Gamma chapter of Gamma Phi Beta and Phi Alpha Delta, as well as worked as the director of tour guide training at the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and as a Changemaker Hub Fellow. She was also recently inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society. Natalie is now working at an environmental law firm in San Diego prior to attending law school in the fall of 2025.
Vanessa Gaytan and Julianna (Julie) Gaytan, former Scholarship recipients, were the Keynote Speakers at the 2026 Scholarship Luncheon. Sisters in life and Alpha Gamma Delta sisters from the UCLA chapter.
While at UCLA Vanessa was a member of the UCLA Academic Advancement Program, and the Program for Excellence in Education and Research in the Science. Vanessa completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Applied Linguistics and then a Master of Science in Communication Science and Disorders. She currently works as a Speech Lanugage Pathologist.
Julianna was just as involved in UCLA life as was her sister, serving as a Student Ambassador for the International Education Office and held a variety of position that allowed her to fine tune her marketing and social media skills. Since her graduation from UCLA, Julianna works as a marketing manager in the healthcare sector.
Want to see their fabulous keynote address about how CVAP's scholarship was pivotal to achieving their educational goals?
Karen Speros hosted a get-together for former CVAP scholarship recipients who are currently attending the University of California, Irvine as sophomores. Left to Right: Isabel Zuniga (LQHS), Analis Pulido (SHHS), Karen Speros (CVAP), Jayda Esparanza (RMHS), and Joselyn Serrano (DHSHS).
