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GV’s Katy Shin Wins Milken Scholar Award
Golden Valley Valedictorian Katy Shin Awarded $10,000 Milken Scholar Award
By Rylee Holwager
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Signal Staff Writer
Golden Valley High School valedictorian Katy Shin is one of 12 Los Angeles County high school students awarded the $10,000 Milken Scholars Award.
Recipients of the award are chosen for their academic performance, community service, leadership and their ability to persevere in the face of personal challenges.
“I felt really grateful and I almost felt like I didn’t deserve it at first,” said Shin, “just because I know how many amazing students apply for it.”
Shin discovered the scholarship after her high school counselor suggested she apply for it. Shin figured, “Why not?” and didn’t want to regret passing up this opportunity.
After being nominated by her counselor — a nomination is mandatory to apply — she took the time out of her rigorous schedule and filled out the application. Later, she was notified she was a finalist.
Then after one final interview, she was chosen to receive the scholarship.
“Personally, coming from a lower-income background, that’s really important to me so I can af-
PHOTO COURTESY KATY SHIN ford college and not have to worry about my financial limitations,” said Shin.
Shin dedicated her high school career to giving back. In addition to being the valedictorian, Shin served as a Key Club lieutenant governor, heading the division leadership team and hosting monthly events focusing on service, fundraising and spirit for 12 clubs throughout Santa Clarita and San Fernando. She also was the co-captain and founder of Golden Valley’s Academic Decathlon team.
For the community, Shin founded BrighTEEN, providing free K-12 tutoring in the valley, during the pandemic.
Giving back will always have a place in her heart, but her true passion lies with mental health awareness.
Shin took a psychology course at a community college, which, she says, kickstarted her passion. Being a child of divorce also left her aware of all the mental struggles that children can endure.
She started and co-hosted the PsychHavev podcast and Brainimal blog where she discussed topics such as seasonal depression, family dysfunction and animal-assisted therapy. Shin also studied the effects of failure in sports on self-esteem at Columbia University’s Education for Persistence and Innovation Center and researched parental responses to children’s negative emotions and behaviors with Pioneer Academics.
According to the Milken Scholar website, Katy is a QuestBridge College Prep Scholar, Jack Kent Cooke Scholar, Burger King Scholar, Dr. Gail Furman Scholar, Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA) Scholar, Youth Leadership Consortium Scholar and AP Scholar with Distinction.
See MILKEN SCHOLAR, page 16
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