Allison Oster
Public Relations Manager
(626) 815-4518
Four Azusa Residents Awarded $5,000 Celebrate Azusa Scholarships
July 28, 2008
AZUSA, Calif. –
Ten years ago, Azusa City Council member and then mayor pro-tem Joe Rocha approached Azusa Pacific administrators and suggested the university establish a scholarship program aimed at attracting the best graduating seniors from Azusa and Gladstone high schools. The collaboration resulted in the university launching the Nancy Moore/Celebrate Azusa Citizens Scholarship Program in 2000, with two incoming APU freshmen receiving the first $5,000 renewable scholarships.
To date, 35 scholars have received this award, which enables area students to continue their education locally in Azusa, while giving back to the community. This year’s scholars include Carlos Lopez and Sellika Velasquez from Azusa High School, and Courtney Brown and Christa Simpson from Gladstone High School.
Carlos Lopez, age 18, is an Azusa High School graduate who was actively involved in football and basketball, along with community clean-ups for the city of Azusa. Lopez enters APU as an undeclared major.
Sellika Velasquez, age 18, an Azusa High School graduate who participated in marching band, also served as co-editor of the yearbook. Her work also filtered into the city, where she volunteered for community clean-up days. Velasquez enters APU as a communication studies major.
Christa Simpson, age 18, a Gladstone High School graduate, participated in marching band and yearbook, and was involved in a variety of community events. Simpson enters APU as an athletic training major.
Courtney Brown, age 18, is a Gladstone High School graduate involved in marching band and jazz band. Brown enters APU as a commercial music major.
In order to maintain the $5,000 renewable scholarships as an APU student, recipients must hold a minimum 2.7 grade point average, take at least 12 units a semester, and devote 10 hours a week to community service.
Featured in TIME magazine and ranked as one of the nation’s best by U.S.News & World Report and The Princeton Review, Azusa Pacific is a comprehensive, Christian, evangelical university, committed to God First and known for excellence in higher education. Azusa Pacific’s main campus lies just 26 miles northeast of Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Valley, while its seven Southern California regional centers bring convenience and extend quality programming. The university offers more than 60 areas of undergraduate study, 26 master's degree programs, and 7 doctorates to a total student population of more than 8,100.
