CVAP 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
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
Jacque Perez
Natalie Wright
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.