Carlsbad, California – Fifteen outstanding high school seniors from Carlsbad Unified School District (CUSD) have been awarded a total of $67,500 in scholarships through the Carlsbad Educational Foundation’s (CEF) 2025 Senior Scholarship Program. The awards celebrate both the students’ achievements and the impact of CEF-funded programs that inspired their college and career journeys.
“CEF provided the opportunities for me to learn, take risks, and challenge myself, sparking a love of STEM that shaped my future,” Kendra Ammon, a Carlsbad High School Graduate and $2,500 scholarship awardee, shared. “I’m excited to continue my journey at UC San Diego to study engineering and tackle real-world issues using the skills I first discovered through CEF-funded robotics.”
During her time at Carlsbad Unified, Ammon participated in the FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) Robotics and FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC) Robotics program, funded by CEF through private donations and partnerships.
“This scholarship is a meaningful step toward achieving my dreams,” Ammon said.
Scholarship recipients include students who found a passion in music, STEAM, and programs rooted in educational innovation, made possible by generous community support and partners of the Carlsbad Educational Foundation, including the Judith Campbell Educational and Community Foundation, the Tom Laurence Music Scholarship, and Viasat. Selected for their academic merits, personal statements, and reflections on how these programs shaped their educational goals, students were recognized during Senior Awards Nights at Carlsbad High School and Sage Creek High School.
“This year, we received 82 applications and conducted 32 student interviews, the most competitive applicant pool to date,” said Laura Pitts, CEO of the Carlsbad Educational Foundation. “We’re incredibly proud to recognize these students, and grateful to our partners for their continued support. These scholarships aren’t just financial awards, they’re a celebration of students’ hard work, dreams, and the transformational power of education.”
The fifteen students who demonstrated remarkable dedication and commitment to their education are named below:
Sophia Gocan, Sage Creek High School, $10,000 Judith Campbell Educational & Community Foundation Scholarship
Marianthe Dresios, Carlsbad High, $10,000 Judith Campbell Educational & Community Foundation Scholarship
Zaiden Dee, Carlsbad High, $10,000 Judith Campbell Educational & Community Foundation Scholarship
Vassilios Dresios, Carlsbad High, $6,000 Tom Laurence Music Scholarship
Demetrios Dresios, Carlsbad High, $5,000 CEF Scholarship
Alex Le Moigne, Carlsbad High, $4,000 Tom Laurence Music Scholarship
Divya Sharma, Sage Creek High, $2,500 Viasat Scholarship for Science Olympiad
Jacob Dougherty, Sage Creek High, $2,500 Viasat Scholarship for Science Olympiad
Imane Elidrissi, Sage Creek High, $2,500 CEF Scholarship
Erin O’Malley, Sage Creek High, $2,500 CEF Scholarship
Meera Mor, Carlsbad High, $2,500 CEF Scholarship
Michela Miracco, Sage Creek High, $2,500 CEF Scholarship
Alessandra Anghera, Carlsbad High, $2,500 CEF Scholarship
Kendra Ammon, Carlsbad High, $2,500 CEF Scholarship
Luke Maland, Carlsbad High, $2,500 CEF Scholarship
Carlsbad Educational Foundation and its partners proudly congratulate the 2025 scholarship recipients and extend their deepest gratitude to the organizations, donors, and educators who helped make these awards possible. Learn more at CarlsbadEd.org/updates/empowering-futures-scholarships-support-high-school-seniors
For media inquiries, please contact: Christine Wiley, Director of Marketing & Engagement, Christine@CarlsbadEd.org 760-332-5009
About the Carlsbad Educational Foundation
Carlsbad Educational Foundation (CEF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that was founded in 1983, to raise private support for public education and contribute to the enrichment of nearly 11,000 students in the Carlsbad Unified School District. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded nearly $16 million to Carlsbad public schools, primarily for science, technology, and music – programs that would not be possible in California’s current school funding environment. 100% of donations go directly to support the Carlsbad Unified School District because CEF’s operating expenses are covered by student enrichment programs and Kids Care, a comprehensive before and after-school K-5 childcare program. For more information, visit CarlsbadEd.org.
