2023 CRESTMOOR SCHOLARS
In 2023, the San Bruno Community Foundation recognizes 10 outstanding San Bruno students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the San Bruno community with multi-year college scholarships totaling $160,000.
Thank you to Allan and Mary Lou Johnson for their support of the 2023 program.
AWAB ABDELGADIR
Committed to increasing access to STEM opportunities for low-income students, Awab successfully led a campaign to bring computer science courses to Capuchino High School. Awab is a peer tutor in math and English, mentored San Bruno youth in coding and engineering through BoostKids!, volunteers at Mills-Peninsula Medical Center, is co-president of the Robotics Club, is president of the Black Student Union, leads the Sewing Club, and has served on the School Site Council. Awab will study computer science and cognitive science at UC Berkeley.
OSCAR CABALLERO
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Oscar is a Capuchino High School scholar in the International Baccalaureate diploma program and a member of the San Bruno community who makes a difference. An active volunteer at St. Bruno Catholic Church, Oscar is secretary of the Animal Awareness Club, an active member of Latino Unidos and the Environmental Club, and volunteers at a local assisted living facility, while also working at two restaurants. A cancer survivor, Oscar has served as a motivational speaker for children battling childhood cancer. With plans to major in electrical engineering, Oscar will attend UC Santa Cruz this fall.
LENA FELDMAN
With aspirations of becoming a physician, Lena will begin her studies at UC Davis this fall. As a volunteer at Musical Castle Preschool, Lena has provided a wide range of childcare services including teaching English to Russian-speaking children. She also provides tutoring to Ukrainian refugees to help them learn English and adjust to life in the United States. In addition to volunteering at Mills-Peninsula Hospital, Lena has served on the Capuchino High School Site Council, taught swimming lessons at the YMCA, and distributed meal kits to food-insecure families through Kind Hearts for You.
JULIO LAU
Julio is a trailblazer who left his family and community in Peru to pursue his education in the United States. Understanding firsthand the challenges facing English language learners, Julio is an English tutor at The Learning Center at Skyline College, primarily supporting international students. Julio has served as an associate senator of Skyline’s student government, vice president of finance of the Honors Club, and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society. Julio is an entrepreneur who started a cell phone accessory import business, and he will study business as a transfer student at UCLA.
SIOFRA LINDEN
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Committed to addressing the challenges of climate change, Siofra relaunched and has served as president of Capuchino High School’s Environmental Club, organizing Earth Day rallies and spearheading and securing grant funding for an initiative to place PurpleAir air quality monitors around San Bruno. She is a four-year member of the track and cross country teams, is the concertmaster for the Capuchino Chamber Orchestra, plays violin in the Peninsula Youth Orchestra, and served as a San Mateo County Youth Climate Ambassador. Siofra will attend UCLA this fall.
GRACE ROFII
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A 2021 graduate of Capuchino High School, Grace is completing her degree in communication studies at the College of San Mateo. In high school, Grace was president of the Sexuality and Gender Alliance Club and led inclusive sex and gender health education seminars. A star athlete since her days with the San Bruno Girls Softball League, Grace was an all-league player on the Capuchino softball team and has served as a coach at youth softball camps. A starter on the CSM team that won the program’s first state championship, Grace will transfer to Eastern New Mexico University to continue her education and softball career.
RUBI SANTACRUZ-HUERTA
With a desire to help diverse populations in need, Rubi is determined to become a pediatrician, and this fall she will begin undergraduate studies at UC Davis in pursuit of this dream. At Capuchino High School, where she is a scholar in the International Baccalaureate diploma program, Rubi has served as co-president of the Animal Awareness Club, a varsity cheerleader, and an active member of the Black Student Union, Leos Club, and Latino Unidos. Rubi is also an intern at Mills-Peninsula Hospital, teaches youth gymnastics, and started her own handcrafted soap business.
EUREKA SORIANO
A student leader at Skyline College, Eureka has served on the Student, Equity, Equal Employment and Diversity Committee, the Curriculum Committee, and the SPARC Committee. As Commissioner of Activities, Eureka has celebrated the community’s cultural diversity, organizing a Filipinx Night Market, live Tongan dance performances, weekly Latinx festivities, and LGBTQ+ speaker panels. She also advocated for policy changes in San Mateo County to protect students from second-hand smoke as a Youth Leadership Institute intern. Eureka will transfer to San Francisco State University this fall.
ALYSIA TANIMURA
As a woman in computer science, Alysia is a trailblazer who seeks to open doors to underrepresented communities in STEM fields. At Skyline College, Alysia has served as a peer mentor providing critical support to first-generation college students, club liaison for the student government, and president of the Honors Club. In addition, she was founder and president of the Computer Science Club, a member of WISER (Women in Science and Engineering Represent), and a STEM Pathways Research Scholar intern. Alysia plans to major in data science at UC Berkeley.
ADRIAN WOMACK
Adrian is committed to ensuring that San Bruno is an inclusive, welcoming community. At Capuchino High School, he is co-founder and president of SAGEx Club, which promotes opportunities in STEM to underserved communities, is an active member of the Sexuality and Gender Alliance Club, serves on the Student Equity Council, is secretary of the Cap Kababayan Club, and worked with other students to paint a mural in downtown San Bruno. An aspiring physicist, Adrian is on the leadership team of TeenTechSF, is a member of the Math and Robotics clubs, and this fall will begin his studies at UC Riverside.