PUC Announces 2011 Maxwell Scholars

Pacific Union College has selected the recipients of this year's prestigious Maxwell Scholarship. The scholarship rewards incoming freshmen for high academic achievement, a commitment to Christian service, and outstanding leadership experience with $15,000 in annually renewable funding—$60,000 over the course of four years at PUC.

These students comprise the third group recognized by the Maxwell Scholar Program, which was established at PUC in 2009 to recognize the late Malcolm and Eileen Maxwell, former president and first lady of PUC. Applicants must meet GPA and test-score requirements, and the ranking of their applications is based on resumes, an essay, and letters of recommendation.

This year's winners are:

Tori Fode
Sacramento Adventist Academy
Carmichael, California

Tori served in student government for a number of years, including in the office of senior class president. She also played varsity flag football, was first chair clarinet in the school concert band, and a member of the school choir and handbell choir. In addition to her academic and leadership accomplishments, Tori volunteered 75 hours at Mercy San Juan Hospital in Sacramento, independently raised $700 for a local crisis center, and participated in a mission trip to Honduras. Tori, who also volunteers at her church, has preached at several worship programs and hosts a weekly Bible study in her home as outreach to local students.

Aaron Jewett
Thunderbird Adventist Academy
Scottsdale, Arizona

Quite the leader, Aaron was elected to class president four times—every year of his high school career. He was also captain of his varsity basketball and baseball teams and captain of his junior varsity basketball team. Aaron is also a member of the school band and Drama Club. Academically, Aaron is a member of the National Honor Society, and has received many awards for academic excellence. Aaron also volunteered as a youth leader at Camelback Seventh-day Adventist Church, where he has preached and served in numerous community improvement campaigns. In 2008, Aaron was a youth division preacher in the Shawn Boonstra Evangelistic Series. In his spare time, Aaron is a member of the Jewish Community Center basketball team and he has participated in the Mud Madness Triathlon, Walt Disney Half Marathon, and the Christian Wakeboard Tournament.  

Melissa Khoury
Marina High School
Huntington Beach, California

Despite competing against a high school population of more than 2,900 students, Melissa was a standout on campus. She served as Associated Student Body Vice President during her senior year, was one of the homecoming queen nominees, and won second runner up in the Miss Huntington Beach Scholarship Pageant. Melissa also was an active member of the Key Club on campus, and president of the Active Advantage club, a group that has a major focus on the Special Olympics. Melissa is a member of the California Scholarship federation, National Honor Society, and an Athletic Scholar. She played on the varsity tennis team at her school, along with the junior varsity tennis team and the frosh/soph soccer team. Melissa has served her community in her responsibilities as Miss Huntington Beach Princess, as a certified Special Olympics coach for volleyball, and as a spokesperson for the Christian ministry organization Youth Equipped to Serve.

Lydia Kore
Loma Linda Academy
Loma Linda, California

As senior class president, Lydia Kore has been called a "driving force of change on campus. Her leadership has influenced her class to focus on service, pushing them to plan outreach at the Ronald McDonald House, area nursing homes, and even on-campus to the underclassmen. In her free time, Lydia tutors and gives Bible studies to underprivileged children in Riverside and on the weekend participates in community service activities with her church. She has served on mission trips to Mexico, Portugal, and Kenya and volunteered at the local food bank. Lydia is actively involved in a number of campus clubs—all service-oriented—and she is a member of the varsity basketball and flag football teams. She also plays in the school brass and wind ensembles and the symphonic band. Lydia has won numerous academic achievement awards and is among the top students in her class.  

Krystal Park
Paradise Adventist Academy
Paradise, California

Krystal is a well-rounded young lady, having participated in everything from music to sports to theater. During her senior year, Krystal was not only senior class vice president but also Associated Student Body President. Academically, Krystal is graduating at the top of her class, and she was a participant in the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine at the University of California, Berkeley in 2010. Musically gifted, Krystal sings and plays piano, clarinet, and violin. She was first chair violin in the Paradise Youth Symphony, first violin in the Paradise Symphony, and first violin in the North Valley Youth Orchestra. In addition to being the team captain of her school's varsity basketball and flag football teams, Krystal is also a member of the Paradise Piranhas, a competitive swim program. She has also participated numerous times in the Chico Wildflower Century 100-mile bike ride. Krystal comes from a mission-oriented family, and she has served on three mission trips. She has also volunteered with Korean American Youth Ministry Movement, the Special Olympics, and the Oroville Mission Homeless Shelter.

Semi-finalists for the Maxwell Scholarship receive $12,000 in annually renewable funds. This year's semi-finalists are Selina Breshers from Los Angeles Adventist Academy; Christopher Helms from El Dorado Adventist Academy; Rebekah Ihn from La Crescenta Valley High School; Daniella Hernandez from Loma Linda Academy; and Sarah Hall from Fort Bragg High School.