Roots & Wings Online

Thirteen Orange County high school seniors were named 2018 Cox Scholars and awarded scholarships from Cox Charities, the philanthropic arm of Cox Communications. Of 16 scholarships that were awarded, Cox Charities awarded 16 scholarships to Orange County students. Scholarships ranged from $1,000 to $5,000 for a total of $35,000 to graduating high school seniors for their academic success, community service, leadership and commitment to their education despite facing adversity. 

Ladera Ranch resident, Kristen Nguyen who recently graduated from San Juan Hills High School is one of the scholarship recipients. This fall Kristen will attend UC Davis in the fall where she will major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She plans to pursue a career in the medical field. Her fondest community service experience was serving on Ladera Ranch Community Services’ (LARCS) Teen Leadership Council. While serving on the Council, she led the community in making homemade cards for children in the hospital and participated in other community projects and events. Kristen loves traveling the world and hopes to study abroad in the future.

"Cox Scholars allows us to recognize and provide financial support to students who have demonstrated a true commitment to their education and showcased exemplary leadership skills at their schools and their communities” said Chanelle Hawken, Vice President, Government and Public Affairs.

Cox Charities is funded by employee payroll donations that are matched by the company.

The 2018 Orange County Cox Scholars are:

Capistrano Unified School District
• Max Eunice, Aliso Niguel High School
• Samantha Jimenez, San Juan Hills High School
• Summer Khatib, Aliso Niguel High School
• Katrina Marr, Aliso Niguel High School
• Allison Maynard, Capistrano Valley High School
• Kristen Nguyen, San Juan Hills High School
• Jaqueline Rodriguez-Tapia, Capistrano Valley High School

Saddleback Valley Unified School District
• Christopher Cross, Laguna Hills High School
• Kamryn Thiel, Trabuco Hills High School Diocese of Orange
• Sean Byrne, Santa Margarita Catholic High School Huntington Beach Unified High School District
• Jessica Nguyen, Edison High School Anaheim Union High School District
• Emmelin Guadalupe Cruz, Katella High School Private Christian
• Samantha Notthoff, Crean Lutheran High School

The Cox Scholars program is open to graduating high school seniors who live in a Cox service area and meet various academic and community service criteria. For more information on the Cox Scholars program, visit www.coxcharitiesca.org.  

Photo (L-R): Mike Drennen, Director of Sales, Cox Business; Colleen Dillaway, Public Affairs Director, Cox Communications; Kristen Nguyen, 2018 Scholarship Recipient/Ladera Ranch resident; Chanelle Hawken, Vice President of Public Affairs, Cox Communications; and Brian Goodell, Mission Viejo City Councilman.