Catching Up With San Miguel Scholarship Recipients

We're so proud of our San Miguel Scholars! We caught up with a few to learn about what they're up to.

ALY HARTMAN

La Salle Class of 2017

Santa Clara University

Looking back at your time at La Salle, how do you feel about being a recipient of the San Miguel Scholarship?

I would not be where I am today had it not been for the San Miguel scholarship. My family would not have had the money to put me in a school, particularly of the caliber that La Salle is. The lack of financial burden to pursue education is a huge gift. It helped with all the little things - uniforms, dance tickets, and textbooks. I never felt I was at a disadvantage because of my financial background. I was so much more likely to pursue things and try things because my parents weren’t going to be burdened by this. I didn’t waste a single opportunity. I joined everything I could, I did theater all four years. The ability to be involved was very special and I received a full scholarship to college, and I know my time at La Salle set me up for that. The lack of financial burden that was there was HUGE and I was able to pursue more than I would have in other circumstances. Attending La Salle was instrumental in getting me to where I am today. At Santa Clara I was heavily involved with the professional business fraternity on campus and La Salle prepared me to participate in the fraternity with all the leadership opportunities I had in high school.

Rocky Valiente

La Salle Class of 2011

University of Southern California

Which of La Salle’s five pillars speak to you the most? Is there one pillar that you strive to live out in your life? Faith in the presence of God: In every avenue of life I have been challenged to extend patience and love in the face of uncertainty. My faith in God has helped expand my capacity to trust and give in the midst of ambiguity which has inspired people around me to give more. This spirit of giving is contagious and when we are all encouraged to give more of ourselves -- miraculous things are accomplished. For me, the spirit of giving is largely instilled by my faith in God. I love coming into a home and leaving it better than when I entered. I strive to model my entire life through this framework.

Katelyn Stone

La Salle Class of 2015

University of California, Santa Cruz

Are there any ways that you wish to give back to your own community or the Lasallian community? I just spent 9 months putting together a Middle School Hackathon at my company for underrepresented students to expose the younger generation to STEM and give them an opportunity to grow their interest in tech. These are the ways I wish to give back. It is so important to pay it forward to give others the opportunity I was given in order to succeed. This opens so many doors for so many students. When you provide the tools for the younger generation, you will be shocked to see how smart and hardworking they are when they get the chance to show their skill set and grow in it. I will continue to give back through volunteer work. meant that I had access to La Salle and it opened a lot of doors for me, kind of let me know - it was indicative that I would be supported at La Salle. Gave me a sense of belonging at the school as well. It relieved the stress of being able to afford books and going to the sports events. It truly relieved a lot of stress and made opportunities available to me.

PHOEBE NABUA

La Salle Class of 2019

Pennsylvania State University

How has attending La Salle impacted your life so far? The service opportunities at La Salle were integral to me. I was committed to serving my community and continued that through college. I joined a service sorority and continued serving. That’s how it impacted me.

San Miguel Scholarship

Established in 2004, the San Miguel Scholarship, named in honor of the first American Lasallian Saint, is awarded annually to up to seven incoming freshmen. This full-tuition scholarship is offered to students of academic promise whose family income puts them at or below the federal poverty line.

JUAN GONZALEZ

La Salle Class of 2011

University of San Francisco

Looking back at your time at La Salle, how do you feel about being a recipient of the San Miguel Scholarship? I’m pretty blessed to have received it. I really appreciate the opportunities it gave me. It pushed me to step up and provided a good learning environment. I got to take advantage of having a college prep school education to give me the tools to think ahead. I truly appreciate having it.

The scholarship is full-tuition for four years, including waivers of all textbooks, fees, and uniforms, provided the student maintains an acceptable level of academic achievement, contributes in appropriate ways to the school community, and demonstrates financial need on an annual basis.

Your gift to the San Miguel Scholarship Fund helps students like Nathan, Renee and Shirley-students who otherwise would not have been afforded the opportunity to attend La Salle and receive a Lasallian education. Although a lot has changed at La Salle since we first opened in 1956, the collective belief that a new generation of Lancers benefit when loyal alumni come together remains.

MARIANA HENRY

La Salle Class of 2012

UC Davis, Yale University, Dartmouth School of Medicine

Looking back at your time at La Salle, how do you feel about being a recipient of the San Miguel Scholarship? I mean, the San Miguel Scholarship

Gifts to the Pat Bonacci, AFSC Endowed Scholarship Fund, the Annie Johnston Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund, and the newly established Dr. Richard Gray Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund all support San Miguel Scholars. So whether you direct your gift to a named San Miguel Scholarship or the fund, in general, you are making an impact.

For more information, visit: www.lasallehs.org/alumni/give/san-miguelscholarship

“Academic Decathlon has been an eye opening experience and one where I’ve grown not only as a student, but as a person. I went on a wonderful trip with some of my closest friends and phenomenal mentors, and winning the competition was only the cherry on top to an adventure that will stick with me for the rest of my life.”

- Arthur Camara, Junior, Class of 2024 World Scholar’s Cup - Global Round 2022 - Prague, Czechia