Goldberg Scholars

Alan is a driven student at East Palo Alto Academy with a 4.19 GPA and a strong interest in biology and medicine. He challenges himself academically, earning 33 community college units through dual enrollment while taking on leadership roles across campus and in the community. As president of the Bay Area Global Outreach Lions Club, Alan expanded the junior chapter from 5 to 52 members and helped raise more than $120,000 to support projects such as building classrooms abroad, supplying school materials, and organizing food and toy drives for families in need. He has led volunteer teams that packaged 88,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger and spent time in rural Guatemala helping construct a four-classroom school. His interest in health equity deepened during a Stanford Medicine internship where he analyzed disparities in Type 1 diabetes care and presented his findings to clinicians. Alan hopes to pursue a career in medicine rooted in service and advocacy with his degree in Biology at Washington University of St. Louis where he will matriculate in the fall.

Desire is a passionate campus and community leader with significant leadership at Crystal Springs Uplands School. Serving as President of both Latinos Unidos and the LatinX Affinity space while also serving as a mentor to younger Latinos through these clubs and Crystal FIRST, she is dedicated to building awareness and celebrating her culture. She is also a top player on the Varsity soccer team and has been a member of the volleyball team as well. Her leadership translates off campus to her engagement throughout high school in the Sheriff’s Activities League where she has been selected to the Youth Director’s Council for extensive leadership training, while also dedicating time year round to community service in Redwood City. She also brought her passion for education to Cooline Kids summer program where she inspired youth as a lead counselor. With aspirations of pursuing a legal career, Desire interned for Ropes and Gray law firm, and she plans to study both political science and psychology at American University to prepare for a future in advocacy and impact.

Diego is a dedicated and creative student who will be attending UC Berkeley to pursue his passion for film and media production to help bring important stories and innovate technologies to the screen. As a high-achieving student and celebrated volunteer within the Serra community where he has garnered top service awards, Diego has become a natural leader on campus. He serves as the head of the Spanish Club, a Spiritual Encounter leader, retreat leader with Campus Ministry and Kairos, an Admissions Ambassador and Host, and most notably a committed stage manager for the Tri-Schools Productions club for the past few seasons. He also finds time in his busy schedule to participate in the AV Club, Mock Trial Club, and competes on the Tennis team. With his passion and creative talent for storytelling, Diego writes for the newspaper as a reporter for entertainment and sports while writing movie scripts for his class last term. Most notably, Diego gives back to his Bridge community as one of our top TAs, dedicating the last 3 summers to our summer academy and becoming a Lead TA for the past two summers. Ever the consummate volunteer, Diego volunteers weekly with his dad's business and St. Mathew's Catholic church, while also participating recently in the inspiring and impactful Kino Border Initiative Immersion Trip. With his leadership, creativity, and deep commitment to service, Diego is poised to make a lasting impact through storytelling that uplifts communities and inspires meaningful change.

Estefany is an ambitious and thoughtful student with a strong passion for biology, chemistry, and medicine. Her early experiences as a patient sparked a curiosity that she later transformed into leadership when she co-founded her school’s Medical Club. Estefany coordinates guest speakers, leads activities, and creates a welcoming space where more than 15 students can explore careers in healthcare. Her dedication to learning extends beyond campus. She completed a competitive summer internship at the Stanford Emergency Department, shadowing medical professionals, supporting geriatric patients, and participating in CPR and emergency simulations. She also volunteers at the Stanford Blood Center, where she monitors donors for signs of distress and communicates with nurses to ensure safety. Estefany’s commitment to science is strengthened by her resilience, shaped by long commutes, family responsibilities, and academic determination. Attending UC Davis to study Chemistry, she hopes to pursue a future in medicine grounded in empathy, curiosity, and service.

An exceptional scholar and leader at Crystal, Heidy has a passion for STEM and plans to pursue a health-related field as a professional of color in STEM at Williams College where she will study Biology and Neuroscience. At Crystal, Heidy has been a prominent and engaged community member, serving as VP of the Women in Sports Club where she has presented about the importance of nutrition and female health in sports to 6th grade girls, leading the Bring Change to Mind Mental Health awareness Club as Co-President, and representing her community as a Crystal Admissions Ambassador. Heidy balances a rigorous year-round running schedule as captain for both the xc and track teams, most recently running for the 4 x 800 relay team at Nationals, with her dedication to strengthening sense of belonging for students of color at Crystal through the Latine Affinity Group and Crystal FIRST. Heidy has benefited from significant academic opportunities including the Stanford CNIX which introduced her to a new passion around neuroscience and mental wellness, as well as the Science Internship Project at UC Santa Cruz in the Latino Studies Department. A devoted mentor to younger Latinos, Heidy also served as a Peninsula Bridge TA for 2 summers where she has inspired others with her tremendous college-going mindset and accomplishments.

Jean is a standout student at Hillsdale High School with a 4.0 GPA and a strong academic focus in English and the humanities and a passion for jazz performance. He consistently seeks academic challenge, most notably accelerating from Algebra 2 to AP Calculus BC in his junior year, earning A’s both semesters. In English, Jean thrives in discussion-based classes that push him to analyze complex ideas and multiple perspectives, and he further develops his love of storytelling through independent writing and world-building projects. He is an active member of the Hillsdale High School Band and has received academic recognition, including Student of the Month in Band. Jean also volunteers with the San Mateo Public Library’s Friends of the Library, supporting literacy and community access to books. His academic discipline, intellectual curiosity, and creative mindset reflect strong preparation for college-level work which will serve him well in his academic pursuits at Reed College beginning in the fall.

Jocelyn is a driven and community-minded leader whose dedication to service and academic excellence defines her high school journey at Aragon. A recipient of both AVID Achievement and Ambassador Awards, she has distinguished herself through spirited leadership and mentorship as a leader in Competition and Sideline Cheer, an Avid tutor, and Catholic Club. Jocelyn has a commitment to educational equity, volunteering regularly as an after school teaching assistant and dedicating the past few summers to being a TA for Peninsula Bridge Summer Academy as well as being a Lifemoves counselor. Inspired to be a changemaker, she participated in the Northwestern Pre-Law program where she gained a foundation in court proceedings, legal briefs, and compelling oral arguments. She has brought her remarkable work ethic and drive to positions at Hollister and now at Slime Kitchen, as well as supporting her mother’s business every weekend. Jocelyn consistently leads with initiative, responsibility, and heart, and will bring those strong traits to her studies in political science and pre-law at American University where she will be matriculating in the fall.

Kamila is a creative and driven student at Mountain View High School with a 3.82 GPA and a growing interest in film, media, and business. She currently explores marketing and branding through leadership roles as Public Relations officer for Poetry Club and Communications Director for CoolineKids, where she supports outreach, engagement, and student recruitment. Kamila also challenges herself academically through dual enrollment coursework at Foothill College in business, strengthening her understanding of strategy, communication, and entrepreneurship. Outside the classroom, she is deeply involved in performing arts, participating in choir, theater productions, and cheerleading, experiences that have shaped her confidence, teamwork, and stage presence. Her commitment to service includes earning the Girl Scouts Silver Award through a literacy project in English and Spanish. Grounded in creativity and community, Kamila brings energy, discipline, and vision to every space she joins. She will be pursuing a degree in Film & Media with a minor in Business at the University of California, Berkeley in the fall.

Kimberly is looking forward to attending Chapman University where she will pursue a degree in Political Science. A thoughtful and driven student at The Kehillah School with a strong interest in law, government, and advocacy, she leads with consistency and care, whether serving her school as President of the Multicultural Club or supporting her church community as an Assistant Catechist for St. Athanasius Faith Formation. In this role, Kimberly frequently stepped in to teach classes, manage logistics, and provide Spanish translation for families, helping parents feel informed and welcomed throughout the First Communion process. Beyond the classroom, she is deeply engaged in civic learning through the Mountain View Police Explorer Program, where she has supported community events and developed leadership skills over several years. Kimberly has also pursued legal exposure through the Hispanic National Bar Foundation’s Future Latino Leaders Summer Law Institute and an internship at Ropes & Gray. Her record reflects initiative, cultural bridge-building, and a clear commitment to serving others through the legal field.

Lizet is an exceptionally driven and accomplished straight-A student at Aragon High School whose passion for immigration law is rooted in both academic excellence and lived responsibility. A multiple AVID Award recipient who has earned Ambassador, Academic, and Family distinctions, Lizet uplifts her community as an AVID Ambassador, guiding families through the school system and also becoming a champion for immigrant rights at Aragon. Gaining firsthand legal exposure through a summer at Ropes & Gray, she was selected for the Politics, Law, and Economics track at Yale Young Global Scholars program where she deepened her interest in policy and justice. Lizet balances her ambitions with meaningful commitments: mentoring peers as a Peninsula Bridge TA, contributing to her father’s business, working 22–30 hours per week at DSW since sophomore year, and staying active on Aragon’s Dance and Cheer Teams. An AVIDbank participant and disciplined athlete who begins each day training at 5:30 a.m., Lizet embodies resilience, initiative, and service—qualities that will fuel her future advocacy for immigrant families navigating complex legal systems. She plans to attend Occidental College to pursue a degree in Politics combined with Chicanx Studies and a future career in law.

A top student at Crystal, Maria is a highly motivated and intellectually curious student with a passion for science and medicine. She has engaged broadly in these areas at Crystal through STEM Invention Studio, ChemLab & Science Olympiad, Science for Causes STEM outreach to local schools, and the Biomedical Research Club. A dedicated leader, she also proudly serves on the Crystal Judiciary Committee where she has tackled the issue of AI ethics, contributes as a pianist and violinist to both orchestra and Jazz, and participates on the xc team. Her love of science and education led her to competitive programs like Girls Who Code, Capital Group summer program where she researched CRISPR therapeutics, a Dartmouth Fly In, and mentoring others as a Peninsula Bridge TA in the area of math for two summers. With her passion for medicine, Maria participates in the ongoing UCLA Neuroscience program webinars and recently secured a prestigious weekly volunteer commitment with the San Mateo Medical Center. Maria is a devoted older sister with significant family responsibilities who is committed to her ambitious goals like achieving all As her senior fall with several advanced STEM classes and spearheading an AI workshop for the Crystal student body this spring. Maria will bring passion, creativity, drive, and her bold adventurous spirit to her future college community at Williams College.

Oliver is looking forward to attending Lafayette College in the fall where he will be pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering. A charismatic extrovert at Menlo School who has broad academic interests, Oliver stands out for his community and civic leadership within the city of East Palo Alto where he represents his apartment complex both on their Tenant Advisory Committee and for the city of East Palo Alto where he brings resident issues to the city council. A community organizer, he has also been elected to the Youth Community Services Advisory Council where he has helped increase the youth voice on the mid-Peninsula, spread awareness about voter registration through a People's Poll project for which he was featured on local CBS news, and participated in community leadership retreats. He has engaged deeply at Menlo as a volunteer mentor and leader with Homework Club, Kickstart, Latinos Unidos, and Menlo Admissions, while also exploring track and theater. Alongside devoting himself to signficant family responsibilities, Oliver has gained tremendous career experience through the competitive META externship, Capital Group investment program, and independent robotics projects with a mentor from Reliable Robotics. With his dynamic leadership, technical curiosity, and deep commitment to uplifting his community, Oliver is eager to make a lasting impact both at Lafayette and beyond.

Santi will be attending Cal Poly SLO where he plans to major in business and pursue his love of economics, math and analytics. He is a charismatic student athlete at Menlo School who has engaged broadly, being elected Co-President of Latinos Unidos where he's helping enhance club culture, volunteering weekly for Homework Club, competing as a top goal scorer on Varsity Soccer, and participating in the SDLC leadership conference to build critical leadership and community building skills. He is dedicated to sustainability causes, serving as a volunteer with Second Harvest, ALAS, and Grassroots Ecology and most recently a service trip to Costa Rica. Santi also dedicates himself to educational equity as a mentor for Kickstart at Menlo and as a TA for Peninsula Bridge Summer Academy. Recently, Santi began independent math tutoring for his neighborhood elementary school, Adelante, where he's inspiring under-served youth to cultivate a love for STEM. Santi has cultivated a business mindset through participation in the Capital Group investment series while also working a part time job at the Woodside Bakery, and he hopes to build his entrepreneurial skills with his college degree.

V is a driven student with broad interests and an intellectual curiosity that is leading him to aspirations within medicine, business, and technology. Planning to attend UC Berkeley to study Life Sciences, Business, & Entrepreneurship, V consistently seeks out academic challenges, growth and new opportunities. V has taken several business classes at College of San Mateo, traveled to Japan with CIEE, and most notably joined and helped to revive the DECA chapter, becoming President of Marketing and competing as a lead at both state and international competitions while building a passionate, lasting chapter focused on business, financial literacy, and networking. His analytical mindset extends beyond the classroom: through internships with Avidbank, Capital Group, and the Ryla Leadership Academy, V has cultivated strong finance and investment skills with a focus on collaboration and shared purpose with peers. V has also brought his strong work ethic and compassion to his weekly job at the Aragon School Kitchen, working a summer internship in horticulture at Filoli, serving San Mateo Outdoor Education as a lead counselor each summer, while also volunteering regularly with deep passion at both Samaritan House and Glide Church in the Tenderloin. V is devoted to music composition, being self-taught and sharing music tracks online to niche music communities to continue innovating and sparking conversations.

Wendy will be attending Duke University where she plans to pursue Biology and Global Health along with neuroscience, with a focus on systemic change in healthcare. She is an extremely accomplished scholar at Nueva High School and aspiring public health leader dedicated to solving medical inequities affecting underrepresented communities. With her incredible ambition and drive, she is the Co-Founder and Co-President of Systema, a STEM equity initiative engaging over 250 under-resourced students across three schools, where she leads weekly programming, builds partnerships, and organizes annual fundraisers. As an intern in the Stanford Pediatrics Endocrinology Diabetes Lab, she conducted research for the Advanced Tech & Treatments for Diabetes Convention, investigating disparities in clinical trial representation and strengthening her collaborative presentation skills. Through internships with the Migrant Clinicians Network and participation in UCSF Cardiac Camp, Wendy has explored immigration and refugee health, workers’ rights, environmental hazards, heart disease prevention, and strategies to address healthcare distrust. A mental health Ambassador with StarVista, intern at Kaname Chiropractic Clinic, a student visionary volunteer with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Co-Leader of the Latino Affinity Group, and mentor in the THRIVE affinity group, she consistently builds community and advances health literacy. Wendy’s exceptional leadership, research experience, and unwavering commitment to health equity position her to become a force in advancing more just and inclusive healthcare systems.