Lost River, Mazama seniors among 1,600 out of 68,000 applicants to move to the finals
Three Klamath County School District seniors are semifinalists in the competitive Coca Cola Scholars Foundation program, earning a spot in the top 2 percent of more than 68,000 applicants nationwide.
Jasmin Hernandez and Anabelle Ross of Lost River Junior/Senior High School and Janah Moorer of Mazama High School are among 1,617 students invited to submit a second round of applications for the $20,000 college scholarship. Of those applicants, 250 will advance as regional finalists with 150 being chosen as Coca Cola Scholars. The selection process is based on academic excellence, leadership, and service demonstrated in school and community activities.
All three are top honor students with hundreds of community service hours and leadership experience.
Ross wants to go to University of Washington with plans to study communications and speech pathology and go into private practice.
She grew up with a stutter, which began improving when she received help from a speech therapist at the age of 12. Ross has worked as a barista, nanny, and caretaker for the elderly since her sophomore year in high school.
“Through speech therapy I was able to be the person I was meant to be,” she said. “I want to do the same for others who can’t find their voice.”
Hernandez, current ASB president, plans to study biology and medicine, specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. Her top college choice is Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., but she also is considering Portland State.
Her parents, who were born and raised in Mexico, didn’t have the same opportunities. “Both my parents were unable to continue their studies after elementary school,” she said. “My dad’s dream was to become a pilot; my mom wanted to be a doctor.”
Moorer, a senior at Mazama High School, has already earned an associate’s degree from Klamath Community College. Her goal is a career in medicine. She is applying – and has been accepted – to several colleges but has not yet decided which one she will attend.
Community service has been a part of Moorer’s life since childhood, and in 2019, she was the recipient of the Klamath Country Volunteer of the Year award. She organizes the local Toys for Tots program, and this past weekend represented Toys for Tots on the national level at the Hollywood (California) Christmas Parade.
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