2017 CRESTMOOR SCHOLARS
In 2017, the San Bruno Community Foundation recognizes eight outstanding San Bruno students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the San Bruno community with multi-year college scholarships totaling $120,000.
HARMONIE AHUNA
Since the age of three, Harmonie Ahuna has wanted to be a pediatrician, and this fall she will begin undergraduate studies at UCLA in pursuit of this dream. In addition to serving as student body president, competing on the varsity swimming and soccer teams, and managing a rigorous academic load, Harmonie has spent countless hours giving back to the San Bruno community. She has volunteered with Mills Peninsula Hospital, Special Olympics, San Bruno Senior Center, and the San Bruno Library, where she has encouraged children to enroll in the summer reading program. It brings her great pride to be connected to the San Bruno community in so many ways.
LESLEY BODE
Lesley Bode has overcome significant adversity, including homelessness, throughout her life to emerge as a top student and community member. At Skyline College, from which she is graduating with AA degrees in Psychology and Anthropology, she is an instrumental member of the Financial Aid outreach team as a student ambassador, leading weekly workshops to assist local high school students and current college students with their financial aid applications. She has been a presenter at Skyline’s Expanding Your Horizons conference for middle school girls interested in STEM fields. Lesley is committed to social justice issues and plans to major in psychology at UC Santa Cruz with the goal of helping at-risk youth.
RYAN CHAPMAN
Ryan Chapman is a Capuchino High School scholar in the International Baccalaureate diploma program, a three-sport varsity athlete, and a member of the San Bruno community who makes a difference. He is the co-founder and president of Chance Club, which assists foster youth lacking adequate resources and support, and has spent countless hours as a tutor through Capuchino’s Summer Bridge and IB programs. Fueled by a NASA internship last summer, Ryan’s goal is to pursue a career in astrophysics, particularly dark matter research. Co-valedictorian and Boys State representative of the Capuchino Class of 2017, Ryan will enroll at UCLA this fall.
ZACHARY FUCINI
A member of the Capuchino High School Class of 2017, Zachary Fucini is headed to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he plans to major in civil engineering with the long-term career goal of improving local transit systems. An aspiring Eagle Scout, Zachary has been a longtime leader in San Bruno’s Pack 290, Troop 72, and Troop 355, participating in a variety of service activities including flag ceremonies at the Golden Gate National Cemetery to food donation collections for homeless shelters. He is also a member of Capuchino’s Interact Club and, notably, has served on the 15-person SamTrans Citizens Advisory Committee, providing input on bus transportation issues in San Mateo County.
ALEXANDRA KENNEDY
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Having conquered substance abuse and homelessness, Alexandra Kennedy is an inspiration to those around her. While juggling the demands of single motherhood and a full course load at Skyline College, Alexandra has found time to volunteer as a facilitator in the County Jail, Intern at Project 90, a nonprofit drug treatment facility, and work as a public benefits specialist at SparkPoint, assisting San Bruno students and community members with the public benefits application process. Committed to alleviating poverty in the Bay Area, Alexandra will transfer from Skyline College and begin her studies at the University of San Francisco in the fall.
WALTER MANUOFETOA
A first-generation Tongan American, Walter Manuofetoa has a deep connection to his culture and a desire to reverse social injustices and inequalities. While gaining a global view of ethnic studies at College of San Mateo, Walter spends his time giving back locally. As the assistant youth pastor at his church, Walter mentors system-impacted youth and leads a team of musicians and vocalists. He co-founded Collective 24, which provides basic living necessities to homeless people in San Bruno, Vakatasi, an organization that empowers Pacific Islander college students, and Kalapu Faiteliha, which steers ex-gang members toward a positive path. A longtime resident of San Bruno’s Crestmoor neighborhood, Walter will attend UC Santa Cruz.
JANAH MAY OCLAMAN
Janah May Oclaman’s interest in science began in her youth when she taught herself a medical procedure she could not afford to have done professionally. Despite facing severe financial struggles, Janah has developed into a top student, committed community member, and motivated leader at Skyline College. Janah has served as a lead presenter of Skyline’s Expanding Your Horizons program and lead organizer for Beta Theta Omicron's SMiLE program, which are both designed to attract middle school girls to STEM careers. She also led hunger awareness campaigns at Skyline and a local elementary school and assisted patients at Seton Medical Center as a hospitality volunteer. Janah will attend UC Davis and hopes to become a neurologist.
MADELINE VILLANUEVA-TOVAR
Madeline Villanueva-Tovar is a Capuchino High School senior who has pushed herself to rise above difficult life circumstances. Her commitment to community service began at an early age, and while at Parkside Intermediate School she was vice president of the LEOS Club. In high school, her service contributions expanded to peer tutoring, founding the Code Blue Club for students interested in medical professions, volunteering at Mills-Peninsula Hospital, and organizing Relay for Life teams in honor of her aunt. Madeline aspires to help people as an emergency trauma physician and will begin her studies at Holy Names University this fall.