Congratulations to St. Bart's 2018 scholarship recipients.  

Caroline Munoz is a graduate of the Academy of Our Lady of Peace and will pursue a B.S. in Human Health at Emory University this fall to become a Genetic and Molecular Researcher with aspirations to work in a biotech company or non-profit organization. Caroline is an academic scholar, volunteer, teacher, missionary, athlete, dancer, and writer. She has been a St. Bart’s Sunday School teacher for 4 years, a Thrift Shop volunteer, and Youth Representative on the Vestry for 2 years. She has traveled with the church to Mexico and Haiti helping to build housing and a school. Caroline has played JV Golf for 3 years and Varsity Lacrosse for 2 years, earning ‘Scholar-Athlete” in both sports. She is President of her school’s Book Club and Editor of her school’s newspaper, The Pilot Press. Caroline is a member of the California Scholarship Federation and National Honor Society and has received the Ford Salute to Education Award and she was a finalist in the Optimist Essay Contest last year. Caroline is Founder and President of the Hogar Infantil Orphanage Club. For the past 3 years, her club has visited on a monthly basis from September to May the orphanage in Tijuana. Her genetics teacher writes “Caroline has a passion for helping others and a kind nature that has earned her a great deal of respect from the faculty and students at the Academy.” Caroline is receiving the Brittany K. Stark Memorial Scholarship.

Katherine Jones is a senior at Scripps Ranch HS who wants to pursue a degree in Biology at the University of Oregan with an emphasis on animal behavior. Kate has been a Godly Play teacher for the past 3 years, an acolyte for 8 years, and student member of the Strategic Planning Committee. She has participated in the 30-hour famine, fed the homeless and worked at the Rotational Shelter. Kate was President of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance and is President of the Scripps Ranch HS Falcon Playhouse student board. Kate has earned “Most Potential” award when a sophomore and “Best Ensemble” award her junior year in theater. Kate has acted in “Little Shop of Horrors” and has the Female Lead in “A Streetcar Named Desire”. Her Theater Director writes, “I believe Katherine will excel in whatever she sets her mind to and become an incredible leader and role model for others to follow.” Kate is receiving the Lucille C. Heide Memorial Scholarship.

Augustine Perez is a senior at Del Norte High School and will attend the University of California, San Diego to double major in Psychology and Math. He plans to earn his Ph.D. in Psychology. As a member of the Youth Group, he has participated in the 30-hour famine, fed the homeless and served Thanksgiving dinner. Augustine is a Boy Scout earning over 200 hours of community service. Augustine is a member of his High School’s Varsity Rugby team for the past 2 years and Junior Varsity for 2 years. He has earned the “AP Scholar” award and is taking Multivariable Calculus at Palomar College. He has received the “Nighthawk Character” award for 2 years because he volunteers in the evening at the Tutor Center. Augustine’s AP Psychology teacher writes “I have no doubt that with his level of intellect, passion, intrigue, and motivation that Augustine will have no problem succeeding in anything he attempts…” Augustine is receiving the Lucille C. Heide Memorial Scholarship.

Natalie Polishuk is a senior at San Pasqual High School and will attend Cal State, San Marcos in the fall. She plans to major in Forensic Science. Natalie has been an acolyte for 6 years. She served meals at Merle’s Place for 5 years and participated in the Youth’s 30-hour famine. Natalie has played on the Legacy Travel Softball Team, Varsity Softball for her high school and for the St. Bart’s Believers. She volunteers 3 times a month at the YMCA Twirling Program. Natalie is an accomplished Baton Twirler, starting at age 5. She is Co-Captain of her competitive twirling dance team. She has competed in State, Regional and National (Notre Dame University) Baton Twirling Championships. In 2016, she was the All-Western State Beginner Strut Champion and the National 13-15-year-old Beginner Fancy Strut winner. In 2017, Natalie won the 16-18-year-old All-Western State Beginner - Miss Majorette, Twirl Champion, and Basic Strut Champion. Her Twirling Instructor writes, “She is very dependable, works hard and is a positive role model… She is one of the most respectful students I have ever had in my forty plus years of teaching.” Natalie is receiving the St. Bartholomew’s Scholarship.

Sydney Strout is a senior at Mt. Carmel High School and will pursue a degree of Fine Arts in Film at Palomar College this fall and eventually transfer to Montana State University. Sydney has sung with the Choristers, been an acolyte and Sunday School aide. She was co-teacher of the Communion Recognition Class. She is a musician and artist. Sydney plays the bass and alto Clarinets for her High School Marching Band who have won the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association Championship for the past 4 years. This year she is the Band Rep and Art Auction Team member at Mt. Carmel’s Festival of Arts. Sydney has had accepted 2 pieces of her own art at the San Diego Art Festival. St. Bart’s Children’s Minister writes, “She is very bright, kind, creative, practical and reliable.” Sydney is receiving the St. Bartholomew’s Scholarship.

Jamie Kana is graduating from La Jolla Country Day School and will attend Willamette University to study Philosophy and Anthropology. Her career goal is to fight social injustice. Jamie has received the Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals of the Congressional Award. She placed second in the Amy Marie Watkins Poetry Competition. She has received the Bronze and Silver Awards in Girl Scouts and the Lifetime Achievement Award for cookie sales. In 2017, she was inducted into the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Jamie is a member of her HS Madrigals Honor Choir and participates in school musicals. She is also her HS Varsity Cheerleader Captain. Jamie’s missionary work has taken her to Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and Belize teaching and helping to build a school. Her AP Psychology teacher writes, “Jamie has an intense curiosity…is a one of a kind individual, and I give my highest recommendation…” Jamie is receiving the St. Bartholomew’s Scholarship.

Alexandria Short is graduating from Oak Harbor High School in Washington and will attend Sinclair Community College to study Engineering. Her career goal is to improve the purity of our air and water and design and build prosthetics. Ali attended Poway HS in her sophomore year and was active as a Sunday School teacher aide here at St. Bart’s. She moved to Washington in her Junior year. Her passion is Robotics. At Poway HS’s nationally recognized Engineering Academy, she competed in VEX and FIRST Robotic competitions with her Robotics Team Spyder 1622 building a robot in six weeks. On the Oak Harbor Robotics team, she helped design and build a Haptic Awareness Device, which could detect an object in front of it and send a signal using vibrating motors to a visually impaired wearer. Ali participated in Gay Straight Alliance, Students Against Destructive Decisions, yearbook, and photography. Her Poway HS Robotics Advisor writes, “Alexandria is an extremely bright and talented young woman. She is a team player, dedicated, sets her own goals, is self-empowered, polite and is an exemplar of Integrity.” Alexandria is receiving the St. Bartholomew’s Scholarship.

Kristin LaBerge received her degree in Business Administration, Real Estate from the University of San Diego. She has worked in real estate and in developing lifestyle centers and lastly as a paralegal. Kristin and Jeff are members of St. Bart’s and are the proud parents of 3 girls, Abby almost 6, Kaitlyn 3 ½ and Hailey 2. Kristin is a stay at home mom who wants to return to college to become a preschool teacher. She will take a class in early childhood education at Palomar College this month. Kristin is on the steering committee for Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church. She volunteers at Morning Creek Elementary and North City Presbyterian Preschool. She also hosts weekly KinderMusic classes. Kristin plans to obtain her substitute teacher certification and then complete her teaching credential. Someday Kristin sees herself as a teacher at St. Bart’s Preschool. Kristin is receiving the Evelyn Wyatt Memorial Scholarship.

Julia Lord has a Human Development degree from UC San Diego. Julia has moved to Utah to attend Rocky Mountain University for a Masters of Physician Assistant Studies. Julia has been a member of St. Bart’s all her life and has given back after her undergrad studies as a part-time youth group teacher and leader. She is an active volunteer and Executive Board member of the non-profit organization Akhawaty, Inc. organizing regular events to feed the San Diego’s homeless population. Additionally, Akhawaty has a winter clothing drive, hygiene packet drive, and free annual health fair. She has recruited volunteers from St. Bart’s Youth Group. Julia currently works as a pediatric home health aide for a cystic fibrosis patient for the past 2 years. She has also worked in the clinical research department of ResMed for 6 years. Her Internships include Physical Therapy aide, Ophthalmology tech, Medical Assistant in Ensenada, Mexico and Volunteer aide at Scripps Green Hospital. Julia put her undergrad studies on hold in 2007 to help her parents after losing their home in the wildfires and transferred to the local community college. Julia has declared that a commitment to community service, the pursuit of knowledge and caring for her patients and family are her life-long goals. Julia is receiving the Evelyn Wyatt Memorial Scholarship.

Tania Toxqui is a senior at Escondido Charter High School. She plans to attend Palomar College this fall as undecided on her major but she hopes to serve as an effective advocate for those most in need. Tania was born in the U.S. after her parents and 4 older sisters migrated from Tijuana. She is a member of the Youth Group at Mission Vida Nveva. She has participated in the Community Service Club and the Escondido Youth Advocacy Coalition. Tania is a game booth volunteer at Orange Glen Elementary School’s Lu-Owl and a Family Fun Day volunteer at Heritage. She worked on her school’s Arts Festival. Tania loves film, theater, and art. She was props volunteer for the “Father of the Bride” and Stage Manager for “Fair Exchange” school plays. Her 12^th-grade English teacher writes, “Tania is kind to her peers, determined and passionate about making the world a better place.” Tania is sponsored by Interfaith Community Services. Tania is receiving the St. Bartholomew’s Community Outreach Scholarship.

Kay Ze Win attends Crawford High School and will attend San Diego City College in the fall to study Nursing. Her family is from Myanmar who fled to a Thai refugee camp before coming to the U.S. Kay participates in the Faces for the Future Program which provides opportunities for refugees to work in the healthcare field. In her sophomore year, she was assigned to the Nile Sisters as an intern helping refugees with their papers. In her junior year, she was assigned to the Youth Empowerment group that involved her in a school drinking water project. During her senior year, Kay rotated through clinicals in Cardiology, Neurology and Physical Therapy at Rady Children’s Hospital. Kay has played soccer, volleyball, and softball at her high school. Kay says that playing sports makes her feel happy and at peace. Kay is Vice President of the Karen Club and member of San Diego Asian Youth Organization, Circle of Friends (Anti-Bullying) and First Generation. She has volunteered to clean up San Diego beaches. Kay’s 12^th grade English Teacher writes, “Kay is ambitious, diligent and an independent learner…admirable dedication as a student by her desire to be challenged and her leadership skills on campus.” Kay is sponsored by St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Kay is receiving the St. Bartholomew’s Community Outreach Scholarship.

Amani Ago is attending Grossmont College majoring in Nursing. Amani is a single mother of two boys, John 6 years and Joseph 3 years. She lives with her mother who is helping her raise her children until she can get a better paying job. Amani is a Sudanese refugee who has lived in the U.S. for almost 19 years. She currently works as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Home of Guiding Hands. Amani has volunteered at Vibra Hospital and The Neighborhood House. Amani states that she has faced hardships but she considers them to be a guide to improve her and her children’s lives knowing that the road to a degree won’t be easy but necessary to give her life meaning and purpose. Amani is sponsored by St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Amani is receiving the St. Bartholomew’s Community Outreach Scholarship.