2016 CRESTMOOR SCHOLARS
In 2016, the San Bruno Community Foundation recognizes seven outstanding San Bruno students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the San Bruno community with multi-year college scholarships totaling $100,000.
ALEJANDRA ANDRADE
A 2016 graduate of Capuchino High School, Alejandra Andrade attends Holy Names University as a biology major, with the goal of becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner. Alejandra has demonstrated her love of working with children through her volunteer work at the San Bruno Library’s Homework Center and Summer Reading Program and as an assistant teacher for St. Bruno’s Catholic Church’s catechism classes. She also helped organize community outreach activities as an intern with the Kaiser Permanente Public Affairs team. Alejandra was president of Capuchino’s Latinos Unidos Club and served as a peer tutor.
JAMIE CHEN
Having helped family members navigate complicated health care systems both in the United States and Asia, Jamie Chen aspires to pursue a career in medicine, specifically oncology. Jamie graduated from St. Ignatius College Preparatory and began her studies at U.C. Berkeley in the fall of 2016. Living 12 homes from the epicenter of the 2010 gas pipeline explosion in the Crestmoor neighborhood, Jamie was inspired to begin training as an Emergency Medical Technician after seeing paramedics rush to aid those in need. From volunteering with the homeless at Catholic Worker House of Hospitality of San Bruno, to fundraising for cancer causes as president of the Cancer Awareness and Support Group, to playing the viola at Carnegie Hall as a member of SI’s orchestra, to writing and directing award-winning films, Jamie exemplifies a “can do” attitude.
ANTHONY HARVEY
A musician, athlete, community volunteer, and top student, Anthony Harvey is a true Renaissance man. Anthony graduated from Capuchino High School with a full International Baccalaureate Diploma and enrolled at U.C. San Diego in the fall of 2016. Anthony plays the clarinet, guitar, and piano and enjoys playing his own musical compositions. Since middle school, where he was involved in student council and the Leo Club, Anthony has been engaged in the San Bruno community. In high school, he has served as a peer tutor for Summer Bridge, participated in various community events as a member of the Interact Club, and was co-captain of the varsity tennis team.
GISELLE HENGST
An advocate for social justice and gender equity, Giselle Hengst plans to double major in Environmental Sociology and Women's and Gender Studies at Vanderbilt University. A top student at Capuchino High School, Giselle served as president of the French Club, captain of the water polo team, member of the swim team, and cabin leader for the San Mateo County Outdoor Education program, while also providing academic support to others as a peer tutor, assisting as a swim instructor at the San Bruno Park Pool, participating in Students Advocating Freedom and Equality Club, and representing Capuchino at California Girls State.
ALLIE STINES
Allie Stines represents the scholar-athlete ideal. Since graduating from Capuchino High School, Allie attends the College of San Mateo, where she plays softball and has begun her studies in kinesiology. Allie’s engagement in San Bruno began many years ago when she was named a Posy Parade princess, and over the years she has continued giving back to the community, including organizing a cancer awareness charity softball game that raised funds for the Relay for Life Foundation, volunteering at the annual San Bruno 4th of July baseball tournament, and serving as a peer tutor at Capuchino. An all-league athlete, Allie was captain of Capuchino’s varsity softball and volleyball teams, and she has served as a volunteer coach for a St. Robert School basketball team.
ERICK SULLIVAN
After graduating from Capuchino High School, Erick Sullivan enrolled at Skyline College in the fall of 2016. A member of Capuchino’s varsity baseball team, Erick has distinguished himself for his commitment to the Junior Giants program. As a way to give back to the program that started his baseball career, Erick began serving as a volunteer umpire at age 11 and coached his first team at age 13, leading to his selection as the recipient of the “Willie Mac” award, which honors integrity, commitment, and dedication. Erick also volunteered with the Touch a Truck event for emotionally challenged children, Special Olympics, and San Bruno’s annual haunted house.
LEITU TAKAPU
The first in her family to graduate from college, Leitu Takapu received an Associate of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies ‐ Social Behavior from Skyline College. Motivated by a family member’s struggles, Leitu seeks to pursue a career in social work in order to serve as an advocate for individuals with mental illness and others in need of social services. In the fall of 2016, she transferred to San Jose State University to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. Besides being a full-time student and working as a financial aid student ambassador at Skyline, Leitu was also an educational support advocate for Edgewood Center for Children and Families and an elementary school tutor.