Scholarships 2025

Kiwanis Awards 2025 Seniors at Canyon Hills High School and Hoover

The Kiwanis Club and Foundation of Tierrasanta awarded scholarships and Hope of America Awards with scholarships to graduating seniors at Canyon Hills High School, Hoover High School and the Charter School of San Diego in Tierrasanta to help defray the costs of tuition, fees, books and supplies and room and board at an institution of higher learning.  The club established a scholarship program in 1982 for Serra High School graduates, renamed Canyon Hills High School in 2021, and now annually awards four scholarships through the club foundation to graduating Canyon Hills High School students bound for college who best exemplify the high ideals of Kiwanis service including character, leadership, academic and athletic achievement and service to school and community. The foundation selects the recipients based on a review of applications submitted for the awards, including an essay, school transcripts and documentation of school and community activities, service and leadership. The awards honor three former outstanding Kiwanians now deceased and family members of donating Kiwanians.

Jake Langenderfer received the Vernon D. Bowman $4,000 Scholarship. He graduated near the top of his class with a Total 9-12 WGPA of 4.64. Jake demonstrated leadership in school activities that positively impacted Canyon Hills High School and his fellow students. He served as class president for three years and an ASB/Student Council Member. He was elected to serve as a student representative to obtain funding for the school. In athletics, Jake was two-time team captain of both the varsity cross country team and the varsity tennis team. He played varsity basketball.  Jake plans to attend college a UCLA in the fall.

Olivia Murphy received the $1,000 Thomas G. Cherniss Scholarship. Olivia’s Total 9-12 WGPA was 4.38. Olivia started her outstanding record of participation, leadership and service as a member of the Girl Scouts of America from kindergarten through high school earning the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. She also provided service and leadership at the Ascension Catholic Church and at Canyon Hills High School as Athletic Social Media Manager and playing Varsity Field Hockey and Lacrosse. Olivia plans to attend either USC or UCSB in the fall.

Claire Ritchie received the $1,000 George V. Paluso Scholarship, also awarding participation, leadership and excellence in athletics.  Claire achieved a Total 9-12 WGPA of 4.56.  Claire provided leadership at Canyon Hills High School as ASB Treasurer managing a $30,000 budget and was the founder of the Canyon Hills Women in STEM that provides a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. She was an outstanding athlete playing field hockey for seven years and was the captain of the school field hockey team and also captain of the school lacrosse team. Claire plans to attend UC Davis in the fall.

Nina Tran received a $1,000 Lonnie and Elaine Folsom Scholarship established by them to honor their grandson Richard Torpy and his wife Kelli, to be awarded to five students in $1,000 increments over a period of five-years. Nina graduated with a Total 9-12 WGPA of 4.58. Nina has excelled academically at Canyon Hills High School after taking several AP courses. She has been very involved in her community and church.  At Canyon Hills she provided outstanding leadership and service as president of the Canyon Hills Key Club.  She will enroll in a college of her choice in the fall.  

The Canyon Hills High School Hope of America Award recipients were Avery Becker, Robert Elizondo and Aidan Stone. The Hoover High recipients were Darany Bautista and Anaya Ojeda.  Siris Irizarry-Nieves received the San Diego Charter School award. Kiwanis initiated the Hope of America Award program for all the public schools in Tierrasanta and Murphy Canyon in 1979, now expanded to include all schools assisted by the club and the Tierrasanta campus of the Charter School of San Diego. The California-Nevada-Hawaii District of Kiwanis International has presented Hope of America Awards since 1984. The award recognizes students selected by school faculty members and administrators to honor and encourage students who have demonstrated academic accomplishment, leadership and good ethical and moral character- all traits of leaders who have sustained our democratic way of life.  Such outstanding citizenship traits and consistent devotion to the acquisition of learning skills as exhibited by the award recipients are very important to help guarantee the future of the United States of America. The awards include an award certificate, an award letter, a certificate featuring the American’s Creed and a $250 scholarship.