14 PUSD High School students receive Juanita Haugen Scholarships

Community of Character announces 14 Juanita Haugen Memorial Scholarship Recipients

Fourteen PUSD high school seniors have been selected by the Community of Character Collaborative as recipients of the 2026 Juanita Haugen Memorial Scholarship. Due to successful fundraising, the number of scholarships and amount were increased to $1,250.

The scholarship was created to honor the memory of Juanita Haugen, a founder of the collaborative, who died in 2007 due to cancer. Mrs. Haugen was president of the local school board, and the California School Boards Association. The awards were selected based on the applicant’s commitment to the values of the Community of Character, their experiences, and things they’ve overcome as well as their service to their school, family, and community.

The scholarship recipients will be honored at the Annual Luncheon / Fund Raiser scheduled for May 13, 2026 at the Veterans Hall, which also honors other community members for their character and service.

Tickets are $45, available at: www.CommunityOfCharacter.org (Events).

Advaith (Adi) Anand of Amador Valley High School, son of Amritha Raghunathan, is recognized for his strong character, resilience, and sustained commitment to service. Early life challenges shaped his belief in standing up for others and using his voice to support those who may not be heard.

Adi has devoted significant time to supporting vulnerable populations. He volunteered for three years with a leading immigration law firm, assisting with naturalization and asylum cases and helping more than 100 clients navigate complex legal processes. He founded the Migrant Equity Initiative to connect immigrant families with legal and social service resources, reaching over 400 individuals through community outreach and workshops.

He has also served as a trained peer advisor with Teen Talk, completing trauma-informed counseling training and providing more than 100 hours of peer support to teens facing mental health challenges. Through Youth Court, the San Jose Youth Council, and other civic roles, he has advocated for restorative justice, youth mental health awareness, and meaningful community engagement.

Adi plans to study political science and economics before pursuing law school, with the goal of addressing systemic inequities and advocating for underserved communities.

Lucie Apard of Amador Valley High School, daughter of Aude and Chris Apard, brings a global perspective and strong sense of inclusion to her leadership and service. Originally from France, Lucie has attended multiple schools throughout her life, developing adaptability and a commitment to building welcoming communities wherever she goes.

At Amador Valley, Lucie serves as an Associated Student Body officer and has led major campus initiatives, including planning Homecoming and organizing large-scale community service events. As head of the Leadership Community Service Committee, she helped coordinate a food drive that collected 1.5 tons of food for the Alameda County Food Bank. She also serves as President of the French Honors Society, expanding membership and organizing the first Bay Area SHF Convention to bring together students from multiple schools.

Lucie’s service extends beyond campus. As a lead volunteer with Mini Cat Town and Kitty 911, she has cared for hundreds of kittens and supported adoption events. Through the American Red Cross, she has organized blood drives, promoted disaster preparedness, and contributed to humanitarian outreach efforts. Across these roles, she demonstrates responsibility, compassion, and the ability to unite people around a shared purpose.

Lucie plans to pursue a degree in biology on a pre-med track, with the goal of becoming a physician dedicated to serving diverse communities.

Emilio Benard of Foothill High School, son of Angelina Badillo and Mauricio Benard, has focused his high school years on peer leadership and bilingual community service. Drawing from his Latino heritage and Spanish fluency, he works to ensure students and families feel informed and included.

Emilio has volunteered for four years with Boys Team Charity, supporting Special Olympics athletes, mentoring a Spanish-speaking teen with autism, and participating in Habitat for Humanity home builds. He also helped lead a holiday toy drive through Christmas Con Cariño, collecting donations for children of agricultural workers.

At Foothill, Emilio is a member of the Peer Advocates Program, where he leads classroom discussions on stress management, mental health awareness, and peer support. Selected as one of 110 applicants, he has contributed more than 140 hours per year to mentoring and outreach. He also serves as secretary of the Spanish Club and founded Smiles for Seniors, organizing students to create and deliver holiday cards to residents in nursing homes.

Emilio plans to study Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at a four-year university, building on his academic interest in science and medicine.

Marielle Bernard is a senior at Amador Valley High School and daughter of Sheila Gurtu-Bernard and Yannick Bernard. Marielle combines academic focus with a longstanding commitment to serving others.

For the past decade, she has performed trumpet with PUSD’s Mariachi Estrella del Pueblo, representing the district at cultural and community events. She also plays cello in the Honors Symphony and trumpet in Jazz A while pursuing the PLTW engineering pathway.

Marielle’s service centers on food security, youth mentorship, and community outreach. She volunteers with Open Heart Kitchen, assisting with food distribution efforts that have included packaging tens of thousands of pounds of donated goods and serving food at community centers.Through Tri-M Honors Society and Bow Buddies Music, she has performed for seniors in memory care facilities and taught free cello lessons to younger students. She has also secured grant funding to strengthen the district’s mariachi program with Don Lewis’s “Say YES to Music” grant.

Marielle works as a Game Master with Limitless Escape Games part-time and plans to pursue an engineering degree, with a long-term interest in projects that expand access to community infrastructure.

Kyle Farren-Bowen of Village High School, son of John and Jessica Aronson, is recognized for his personal growth, perseverance, and commitment to self-improvement. Throughout high school, Kyle has worked to overcome academic and personal challenges while developing stronger habits and accountability.

After transferring to Village High School, Kyle focused on improving his attendance and strengthening his self-discipline. He credits this experience with helping him take responsibility for his actions and build greater respect for teachers and school expectations. His progress reflects a commitment to making positive changes and staying focused on long-term goals.

Kyle has participated in after-school activities at Village High for the past two years and continues to work toward completing his education with determination.

Kyle plans to attend college following graduation. The Juanita Haugen Memorial Scholarship will assist him in continuing his education and expanding future opportunities.

Aashvi Geddam of Amador Valley High School, daughter of Shveta and Sitaram Geddam, has built her high school experience around organized, hands-on service and steady leadership. Whether coordinating large-scale donation drives or leading schoolwide initiatives, she approaches each role with preparation, follow-through, and clear accountability.

As President of Magnus United, a student-run nonprofit, Aashvi led multiple supply drives, coordinating more than 60 volunteers and standardizing logistics across cities. Under her leadership, the organization delivered thousands of pounds of aid to families in need across 12 countries. When unexpected setbacks threatened deadlines, she adjusted plans, reassigned roles, and ensured donations met quality standards before distribution.

On campus, Aashvi has been a four-year Leadership student and Rally Officer, helping organize large events serving more than 2,000 students. As a Certified Peer Educator with TUPE, she delivered presentations on health and substance prevention, trained peers to lead discussions, and supported prevention programs across schools. Her work reflects both self-discipline and a commitment to support others.

Aashvi plans to study business and public policy, with the goal of understanding how financial and policy decisions affect families and communities.

Chloe Grijalva of Foothill High School is the daughter of John and Julie Grijalva. Chloe’s focus on giving back reflects a long-standing family tradition of service and began as early as elementary school when she and her 5th grade class adopted a classroom affected by the Paradise fire. Raising money by selling jars of jellybeans at the Pleasanton farmers market, Chloe and her classmates helped buy much needed items for the Pine Ridge School in Magalia, California.

Chloe’s desire to give back continued in middle school when she turned her ice cream making hobby into Coco’s Creamery, a business that donates 10% of profits to local non-profits. Over the years, Chloe has made and sold over 500 pints of ice cream and directed hundreds of dollars to organizations including Valley Humane Society, Hively and Kids Against Hunger.

Chloe’s community involvement extends well beyond her business and her elementary school endeavors. Through Chloe’s six years in National Charity League, she has contributed more than 200 volunteer hours and held multiple leadership positions. She is a 4 year Varsity captain of the Foothill girls lacrosse team, serves as President of Foothill’s Blue Crew, mentors freshmen as a Link Crew Leader, volunteers with Meals on Wheels, Night to Shine and Special Olympics, and supports fundraising efforts for Oakland Lacrosse.

Chloe , who is sister of two other previous award recipients, Ella and Jake, plans to continue her education in college while remaining actively engaged in service and leadership.

Philippa Haney of Foothill High School, daughter of Victoria and Stephen Haney, is recognized for combining creativity with leadership and steady service to her community. Her work reflects a commitment to responsibility and compassion, shaped by personal resilience and a strong sense of accountability to others.

At Foothill, Philippa has participated in her high school’s color guard for many years and has taken leadership roles in the National Charity League, including Secretary and Head of Hospitality. She also contributes to her school’s mural program, helping create artwork that reflects student identity and inclusion. Across these various roles, she is known for her reliability, organization, and thoughtful collaboration.

Philippa’s service extends beyond campus through dedicated volunteer work with organizations such as the Special Olympics, Fertile Grounds Farm, and the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop. Whether coordinating volunteers, supporting community events, or contributing hands-on assistance, she approaches each effort with care and follow-through.

Philippa plans to pursue higher education in illustration and visual storytelling, building on her experience in independent Webtoon publication and mural projects.

Anna Star Kim of Foothill High School, daughter of Song Hee Kim, has focused her high school years on creative work and community-based service.

Anna is the founder of the Pleasanton Letter Exchange Program (PLEP), which connects student volunteers with seniors in local care facilities. Through this effort, she has coordinated outreach, recruited volunteers, and helped distribute more than 180 letters to reduce isolation among elderly residents. She also serves as president of the Pen Pal Club, expanding participation in similar service efforts on campus.

In addition, Anna has been active in the Korean Parents Association, where she has led youth book clubs and supported cultural events, and has volunteered with the Pleasanton Public Library and school-based service clubs. Her work also includes creating sensory blankets for seniors through the Hospice Club and organizing student participation in community projects.

Anna plans to pursue a career in mental health, with the goal of working as a therapist.

Diego Laredo of Amador Valley High School, son of Horacio Laredo and Karina Cortes-Laredo, is recognized for his strong character, steady leadership, and commitment to service. A proud Mexican-American student, he has consistently demonstrated responsibility, compassion, and integrity in both academic and community settings.

Diego co-founded and serves as president of Latinos in STEM, working to expand access and representation in advanced academic spaces. He has also served as president of the Spanish Honors Society, organizing tutoring workshops and academic support for fellow students. His leadership reflects a focus on consistency, preparation, and accountability to those he serves.

Beyond campus, Diego has volunteered as a Spanish-English translator for families and children, assisted low-income families through local service organizations, and supported community programs at the Pleasanton Public Library. Through tutoring and outreach efforts, he has helped ensure that students and families feel understood and supported.

Diego plans to pursue studies in Computer Science Engineering while continuing to advocate for educational access and inclusion.

Marian McConlogue of Foothill High School, daughter of Joelle and Cary McConlogue, has centered her high school experience on organized service and inclusive leadership.

As President of Foothill’s Just Serve Club, Marian has helped grow the organization to more than 120 members, making it one of the largest service clubs on campus. She coordinates meetings, delegates responsibilities, and works with school staff to host service projects that support local shelters and community members in need. She also serves in leadership roles within National Honor Society and French Honors Society, contributing to event planning and member engagement.

Beyond school, Marian volunteers through her church community and completed a humanitarian service trip to San Pablo, Philippines, where she helped build a nutrition center for an elementary school and tutored children in English. She has also volunteered in a physical therapy clinic, assisting therapists and gaining hands-on exposure to patient care.

Marian plans to pursue a degree in physiology or physical therapy.

Smriti Mehta of Amador Valley High School, daughter of Raveena Sarwal and Sandeep Mehta, has distinguished herself through consistent leadership and a strong sense of responsibility to both her family and her community.

At AVHS, she serves as Chair of the Student-Inter Action Council’s Nutrition Committee, partnering with Child Nutrition Services to improve breakfast offerings across sixteen district schools and launching the district’s first Nutrition Week. Her work has reached thousands of students and reflects preparation, collaboration, and accountability.

Smriti has also served as the first high school Youth Advisor to the Dairy Council of California, contributing student perspectives to discussions on school meal standards. In addition, she volunteers with Kids Against Hunger, coaches elementary students through Girls on the Run, and conducts nutrition policy research through the Harvard Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders. Across these roles, she has demonstrated a steady commitment to service and public health.

Smriti plans to study public health and nutrition policy with the goal of strengthening systems that promote equitable access to healthy food.

Andy Morales of Foothill High School, son of Brenda Hernandez, has dedicated his high school years to music, leadership, and community involvement.

Over the past four years, Andy has served as the bass player for the Foothill Mariachi ensemble and expanded his musical skills to multiple instruments. Through the program, he has represented his school at performances and community events while mentoring younger musicians and contributing to group rehearsals and preparations.

Outside of music, Andy volunteers at St. Augustine Church, assisting as an usher and supporting parish activities. He has also served as a Spanish interpreter with the Amador Valley Assistance League and worked as a cabin leader at Exploring New Horizons Outdoor Education, guiding a group of nine students during the weeklong camp program.

Andy plans to study business at Las Positas College before transferring to San José State University to complete his undergraduate degree.

Bruce Wyatt Wallace of Foothill High School, son of Stephen and Barbara Wallace, has built his high school years around quiet leadership and consistent service. Recognized by Pleasanton Unified School District with the Community of Character Integrity Award, Bruce is known among peers and teachers for his empathy and steady presence.

For the past four years, Bruce has volunteered with the East Bay SPCA in Dublin, assisting with animal care and serving as a Youth Program Assistant for summer camps. He supports campers in learning how to responsibly care for animals while also helping prepare animals for adoption. His long-term goal of becoming a veterinarian is rooted in these experiences and in his desire to advocate for animals that are often overlooked.

Bruce also gives his time to the Special Olympics Northern California Summer Games, assisting athletes during competitions and supporting event logistics. At school, he serves as a captain for both the cross-country team and track & field team, where he focuses on creating an encouraging environment and supporting teammates both on and off the course. His leadership is defined less by titles and more by his willingness to show up for others. He was recently honored at Foothill for his contributions to the school.

Bruce plans to pursue studies in veterinary science with the goal of earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.