Angelica Ramirez Raygoza of Goleta has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the John Fowler Scholarship. Named in recognition of People’s Self-Help Housing’s (PSHH) past president/CEO, the award provides a $1,000 award to the PSHH student with the highest GPA.
Ramirez Raygoza is graduating with a 4.209 GPA.
The scholarship is in support of the recipient’s next steps in higher education. Ramirez Raygoza will be pursuing a career in early childhood education or sociology. She will start school in the fall at Santa Barbara City College, with plans to transfer to a four-year school.
“Congratulations to Angelica,” said Joanna Dominguez, PSHH director of education. “Many years of hard work and dedication to her education have resulted in this impressive GPA, and this scholarship is just one way for us to celebrate and acknowledge her success.
“We know that Angelica’s achievements will serve as an inspiration for so many of our future students in the Camino Scholars program.”
Ramirez Raygoza first got involved in the Camino Scholars program at the PSHH Learning Center in Goleta. “The environment was amazing and [I loved how] everyone was easily able to connect with each other,” she said.
Camino Scholars serves about 400 students per year at its 11 onsite learning centers located across three counties. As evidenced by standardized test scores, the curriculum significantly improves math and literacy skills, and accompanies students on the path of lifelong learning.
The program also helps prepare college-bound students with application assistance, financial aid navigation, career exploration workshops, campus visits, and mentorship. This relationship continues through graduation of the terminal degree; the program just saw its first student enrolled in Ph.D studies.
For more about about PSHH or to financially support the Camino Scholar program, visit pshhc.org/education, pshhc.org, email info@pshhc.org, or call 805-781-3088.