On behalf of the entire City Council, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2023 City of Commerce Scholarship Program Awards Breakfast. To all the scholarship recipients present here today, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations. Each one of you is a shining example of the potential and promise that exists within our city. Your dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment have not only brought pride to our community but also served as an inspiration to others. As you embark on your journey through higher education, we want you to know that the City Council stands beside you, supporting you every step of the way. We believe in your ability to make a difference in the world, and we have full confidence that you will excel in all your endeavors. I would also like to take a moment to express our gratitude to all the donors who have contributed to the City of Commerce Scholarship Program. Your generosity has played a pivotal role in making today's event possible. Your belief in the power of education and your willingness to invest in the future of our students has not gone unnoticed. Your contributions have transformed lives, opening doors of opportunity that may have otherwise remained closed. In these challenging times, your support has been a beacon of hope for our students, offering them a chance to pursue their dreams and aspirations. Your partnership with the City of Commerce is truly valued and appreciated. We applaud your commitment to making a positive impact in our community, and we wish you continued success in your respective businesses and endeavors. Once again, congratulations to all the scholarship recipients. May your achievements today be the stepping stones to a bright and prosperous future. We are proud of each and every one of you, and we look forward to witnessing your continued success in the years to come. Thank you all for joining us today and for being a part of this special celebration. Together, we can create a better tomorrow for the City of Commerce and its residents. Mayor Argumedo Council Message
On behalf of the Education Commission, we would like to congratulate all 58 scholarship recipients! Your hard work and dedication have been recognized and awarded. Your achievements have inspired us all and serve as a testament to the transformative power of education. As scholarship recipients, you carry the responsibility to become change-makers, leaders, and innovators of the future. We as the Education Committee acknowledge the importance of scholarships in fostering educational access and creating opportunities for deserving City of Commerce students. For this reason, we would like to thank the local business for their generous contribution to this wonderful program that has been around for over 30 years. You keep this program alive for our community and we are so grateful. We wish you much success in your business. It is an honor to witness such a wonderful morning of well deserve students receiving scholarships thanks to the commitment of the City Council for their continued support to the Scholarship program. Library staffs, your invaluable contributions have made this scholarship program a success, and we are truly grateful for your diligent work. Congratulations to the recipient and their families! Cheers to all! We can’t wait to witness your continued success. Education Commission Congratulations to all students who have received a City of Commerce Scholarship! This is a remarkable achievement that reflects your hard work and dedication. Your commitment to your education has been recognized and you should be incredibly proud of this accomplishment. Remember that a scholarship is not just financial aid, but it is also an opportunity that brings with it responsibility and the expectation to continue striving for excellence. As a recipient, you have a chance to make a difference in your community and contribute to the betterment of society. Stays focused, set ambitious goals, and embrace every learning opportunity that comes your way. I wish you reach new heights and make your dreams a reality. I would also like to thank the parents of the scholarship recipients. Your continuous support, the sacrifices and belief in your children, have been instrumental in their educational journey toward their achievements and many more to come. Also, a special appreciation to the generous donors who have made these scholarships possible. Your commitment to education and investing in the future of these students and the City of Commerce is commendable. Gracias! Thank you to the wonderful and dedicated library staff who put together the scholarship program. To the selection committee, a special thank you for evaluating, reviewing and commitment to finding the most deserving recipients have resulted in the recognition of exceptional students. Once again, congratulations to all the recipients. May you continue to thrive, grow, and make a positive impact in your chosen educational field. Sonia Bautista, Director of Library Services Director of Library Services
!" "# $%&'(% )'(% !"#$"% ! " # ! # ! $ ! ! " #% ! ! & '()*+,-./0)1 2+3)(4+(5 6177 8.9:1(4 ;)<=,>/=++7 6)4=+?,.*.@ A.(@B177,>./91: ;1.9@,;)<=5 C+B(1D,;)<=,>/=++7 E7 2.(/=+ ;)<=,>/=++7 -.*14 'F 8.9G)17: ;)<=5 H.4,I7+914 ;+*1,E:J/.@)+(5 K.9.(.@=. ;)<=,>/=++7 K+(@13177+ ;)<=,>/=++7 >.( 8.39)17,K)44)+( ;)<=5 >/=J99 ;)<=,>/=++7 >+/).7,-J4@)/1,H1.:194=)?5 >@F,-+=( 6+4/+ ;)<=,>/=++7 L.991( ;)<=,>/=++7 !"#$%&'$(()*++,-.,. ! History of the City of Commerce Scholarship Program The City of Commerce Scholarship Program began in 1980. In its earliest years, donations were given from local civic organizations and service clubs. Scholarships ranged from $50-$300. The program proved to be very successful and well received. Before long, contributions began coming in from the business community, as well as from civic groups. Scholarships increased both in the size of the award and in the number given. In 2023, scholarships ranging from $500-$3,000 will be awarded to 58 Commerce residents. The Commerce City Council is dedicated to promoting education in the community and is happy to help make a college education more available to its residents. Statistics from the National Center for Education show that in 2020, the median earnings of those with a master’s or higher degree were $69,700, some 17 percent higher than the earnings of those with a bachelor’s degree ($59,600). In the same year, the median earnings of those with a bachelor’s degree were 63 percent higher than the earnings of those who completed high school ($36,600). Fifty-eight Commerce residents were awarded scholarships for the year 2023. They represent a wide array of backgrounds, interests, and talents. They represent our heritage and give us reason to be proud. They have many experiences and dreams set before them. Collectively, they represent our future. “Higher education cannot be a luxury reserved just for a privileged few. It is an economic necessity for every family. And every family should be able to afford it.” -Barack H. Obama II, 44th President of the United States Winners.... at a Glance ! "" !# $%&&'()*+ ,-)./*0 ,'12)3 !" # !! " !! $%&'()*+ ,-.(-)-%& /0+1-% ,&+1-% 2-'345%*60*3& !"#$$%&'('" GENDER COLLEGE ATTENDING CLASS LEVEL HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDED
Commerce Casino & Hotel Scholars 2023 City of Commerce Scholarship Program Scholars Jonathan A. Montes California State University, Fullerton Freshman Business Administration Accounting Johannessen Trading Co. Scholar $3,000 Amber Martinez California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Postgraduate Nutrition Dietitian Commerce Casino Scholar $2,000 Nicholas J. Padilla University of California, Santa Cruz Freshman Biology Commerce Casino Scholar $5,000 Harvey Capital Scholar Destiny E. Quezada University of California, Berkeley Junior Molecular Environmental Biology Commerce Casino Scholar $3,000 Angel Mendoza University of California, Los Angeles Senior Cognitive Science & Computing Harvey Capital Corp. Scholar $3,000 TransTech Scholar Andrew Rivera University of California, Los Angeles Freshman Cellular and Molecular Biology TransTech Engineering, Inc. Scholar $2,500 Link Logistics Real Estate Scholar Johannessen Trading Co. Scholar Kevin R. Espinoza Pineda University of California, Berkeley Senior Business Administration Link Logistics Real Estate Scholar $2,500 Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. Scholar Laryssa A. Gomez California State University, Los Angeles Senior Marketing Management Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. Scholar $2,500
2023 City of Commerce Scholarship Program Recipients Delilah R. Moreno California Baptist University Freshman Nursing/Biology $1,000 Sarah R. Baroni California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Freshman Computer Science $2,000 Diego Castañeda California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Junior Biological Science $1,250 Mark A. Jimenez Arkansas State University Postgraduate Public Administration $1,000 Salma M. Orozco Biola University Freshman Education $1,000 Emmanuel A. Gomez California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Senior Nutritional Science $1,000 Carlos C. Hernandez California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Freshman Mechanical Engineering $1,000 David Pitones California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Junior Physics & Chemistry $2,000 Natalia A. Rodriguez California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Junior Mathematics $1,000 Jonathan T. Zambrano California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Freshman Electrical Engineering $2,000 Antonio Muñoz California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo Freshman Computer Engineering $1,500 Teresa D. Avila California State University, Dominguez Hills Postgraduate Social Work $1,000
2023 City of Commerce Scholarship Program Recipients Annabelle L. Hernandez California State University, Fresno Freshman Psychology $1,000 Bryan R. Canales-Flores California State University, Fullerton Senior Political Science $1,000 Celeste M. Lugo California State University, Fullerton Senior Public Health $1,000 Jorge R. Montes, II California State University, Fullerton Senior Kinesiology $500 Gabriel A. Segura California State University, Fullerton Junior Human Services $500 Aaron Valdez California State University, Fullerton Freshman Computer Engineering $1,000 Jovanny Mata California State University, Long Beach Postgraduate Adapted Physical Education $1,000 Lauren C. Griego California State University, Los Angeles Junior Teaching $1,000 Antonio R. Montes California State University, Los Angeles Postgraduate Physical Education $1,000 Citlalli Oritz California State University, Los Angeles Sophomore Criminal Justice $500 Janeth M. Peralta East Los Angeles College Freshman Chicano Studies $750 Daniel A. Salazar California State University, Los Angeles Junior Child Development $500
2023 City of Commerce Scholarship Program Recipients Angelina E. Zamorano Cerritos College Freshman Business Administration/Real Estate $500 Daniel A. Zambrano East Los Angeles College Sophomore Psychology $750 Xochitl Baltazar Grand Canyon University Postgraduate Clinical Mental Health/ Childhood & Adolescent $1,000 Desirae B. Kester Grand Canyon University Senior Early Childhood Education $1,250 Mia L. Casillas Loyola Marymount University Sophomore Psychology $1,000 Connie Arteaga Ramirez National University Postgraduate Education $1,000 Valeria M. Guerrero San Jose State University Sophomore Pre-Nursing $1,000 Fabian A. Ramos San Jose State University Freshman Engineering $1,000 Daniel J. Canales University of California, Berkeley Sophomore Economics/Biology $1,000 Erik E. Herrera University of California, Berkeley Postgraduate Mathematics $1,000 Raul A. Lorenzano University of California, Berkeley Junior Political Science $2,000 Alexis B. Martinez University of California, Davis Sophomore Biochemistry and Molecular Biology $1,000
2023 City of Commerce Scholarship Program Recipients Juan C. Mena, Jr. University of California, Davis Senior Chemical Engineering $1,000 Theresa A. Lopez University of California, Irvine Freshman Nursing $1,500 Alexsa N. Gimenez University of California, Los Angeles Freshman Physiological Science/Sport Medicine $1,000 Trinity H. Rivero University of Calfiornia, Los Angeles Freshman Psychology $1,000 Erika E. Silva University of California, Riverside Junior Mathematics $1,000 Andres M. Gomez University of California, San Diego Freshman Human Biology $2,000 Jayda L. Silva University of California, Santa Barbara Junior Psychological & Brian Sciences $1,250 Jennifer P. Reyes University of La Verne Junior Political Science/Philosophy $1,000 Genesiz Villegas Rio Hondo College Freshman Child Development $750 Kelise K. Jackson University of Norte Dame Sophomore History $2,000 Smyrna Caraveo University of Southern California Postgraduate Urban Planning $2,000 Sabrina Quintero University of Southern California Postgraduate Social Work $1,000
A special thanks to this year’s Interview Panel and Appeals Board for their time and dedication to this year’s scholarship program. Interview Panel Karen Jean Fry Senior Human Resources Risk Manager The Commerce Casino and Hotel Dr. Derek Terrell, Ed.D Director of Engagement Coalition for College Eduardo Viramontes Teacher Montebello Unified School District Barbara Martine President Datapage, Inc. Appeals Board Marini Lamoureux Educational Specialist Downey Unified School District 2023 City of Commerce Scholarship Program Recipients Chantal Y. Sotomayor University of Southern California Postgraduate Occupational Therapy $2,000 Avril J. Kester Utah Tech University Sophomore Marketing Theatre $1,250
We would like to acknowledge these individual donors and ask you to patronize these businesses. Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. 11620 Wilshire Boulevard, #1000 Los Angeles, CA 90025 $10,000 Link Logistics Real Estate 3401 Etiwanda Avenue Jurupa Valley, CA 91752 $4,000 TransTech Engineers, Inc. 13367 Benson Avenue Chino, CA 91710 $10,000 AMVAC Chemical Corporation 4100 E. Washington Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90023 $1,100 9th St. Partners, LLC 880 Apollo Street, #356 El Segundo, CA 90245 $5,000 L Tech Network Services 3424 Garfield Avenue, #A Commerce, CA 90040 $1,000 Mr. Benjamin Ruiz 6175 Craigmont Drive Goleta, CA 93117 $1,000 Tzeng Long USA, Inc. 2801 S. Vail Avenue, #P Commerce, CA 90040 $1,000 Commerce Sister City Association 3522 Travis Avenue Commerce, CA 90040 $500 The Commerce Casino & Hotel 6131 Telegraph Road Commerce, CA 90040 $50,000 Harvey Capital Corporation 2333 Cotner Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90064 $10,000 Johannessen Trading Co. 6111 Bandini Boulevard Commerce, CA 90040 $10,000
Email Mentor List Mark A. Jimenez Arkansas State University Postgraduate Public Administration [email protected] Delilah R. Moreno California Baptist University Freshman Nursing/Biology [email protected] Diego Castañeda California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Junior Biological Sciences [email protected] Carlos C. Hernandez California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Freshman Mechanical Engineering [email protected] Natalia A. Rodriguez California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Junior Mathematics [email protected] Jonathan T. Zambrano California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Freshman Electrical Engineering [email protected] We would like to acknowledge these individual donors and ask you to patronize these businesses. Nora Lighting Inc. 6505 Gayhart Street Commerce, CA 90040 $500 Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen #12280 8762 Mission Drive, #A Rosemead, CA 91770 $500 Wine Warehouse 6500 E. Washington Boulevard Commerce, CA 90040 $500 Hong Kong Chinese Fast Food 5210 E. Washington Boulevard Commerce, CA 90040 $500 Ink Systems, Inc. 2311 S. Eastern Avenue Commerce, CA 90040 $500 LK Packaging 6000 Sheila Street Commerce, CA 90040 $500
Email Mentor List Teresa D. Avila California State University, Dominguez Hills Postgraduate Social Work [email protected] Annabelle L. Hernandez California State University, Fresno Senior Psychology [email protected] Celeste Lugo California State University, Fullerton Sophomore Public Health [email protected] Gabriel A. Segura California State University, Fullerton Junior Human Services [email protected] Jovanny Mata California State University, Long Beach Postgraduate Adapted Physical Education [email protected] Lauren C. Griego California State University, Los Angeles Junior Teaching [email protected] Antonio R. Montes California State University, Los Angeles Postgraduate Physical Education [email protected] Daniel A. Salazar California State University, Los Angeles Junior Child Development [email protected] Angelina E. Zamorano Cerritos College Freshman Business Administration/Real Estate [email protected] Janeth M. Peralta East Los Angeles College Freshman Chicano Studies [email protected] Xochitl Baltazar Grand Canyon University Postgraduate Clinical Mental Health/Childhood & Adolescent [email protected] Desirae B. Kester Grand Canyon University Senior Early Childhood Education [email protected] Mia L. Casillas Loyola Marymount University Sophomore Psychology [email protected] Fabian A. Ramos San Jose State University Freshman Engineering [email protected] Genesiz Villegas Rio Hondo College Freshman Child Development [email protected] Kevin R. Espinoza Pineda University of California, Berkeley Senior Business Administration [email protected] Raul A. Lorenzano University of California, Berkeley Junior Political Science [email protected] Destiny E. Quezada University of California, Berkeley Junior Molecular Environmental Biology [email protected]
Email Mentor List Alexis B. Martinez University of California, Davis Sophomore Biochemistry and Molecular Biology [email protected] Juan C. Mena, Jr. University of California, Davis Senior Chemical Engineering [email protected] Theresa A. Lopez University of California, Irvine Freshman Nursing [email protected] Alexsa N. Gimenez University of California, Los Angeles Freshman Physiological Science/Sports Medicine [email protected] Angel Mendoza University of California, Los Angeles Senior Cognitive Science & Computing [email protected] Andrew G. Rivera University of California, Los Angeles Freshman Cellular and Molecular Biology [email protected] Trinity H. Rivero University of California, Los Angeles Freshman Psychology [email protected] Erika E. Silva University of California, Riverside Junior Mathematics [email protected] Andres M. Gomez University of California, San Diego Freshman Human Biology [email protected] Jayda L. Silva University of California, Santa Barbara Senior Psychological & Brain Sciences [email protected] Nicholas J. Padilla University of California, Santa Cruz Freshman Biology [email protected] Jennifer P. Reyes University of La Verne Junior Political Science [email protected] Smyrna Caraveo University of Southern California Postgraduate Urban Planning [email protected] Sabrina Quintero University of Southern California Postgraduate Social Work [email protected] Chantal Y. Sotomayor University of Southern California Postgraduate Occupational Therapy [email protected] Avril J. Kester Utah Tech University Sophomore Marketing and Theatre [email protected]
City of Commerce Public Library Literacy READs Staff Evelyn Diaz Literacy Program Manager Susana G. Rosales Senior Literacy Library Assistant Abigail E. Calderon Library Literacy Assistant Erika Valencia Library Literacy Assistant Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/COCPL.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommerceLib Flicker: https://www.flickr.com/photos/commercelibrary/ Instagram: http://instagram.com/commercelibrary YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/commercelibrary/videos If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the City of Commerce Scholarship Program or if you would like more information, contact the: City of Commerce Public Library READs Center 5655 Jillson Street, Commerce, California 90040 (323) 722-6660 ext. 2823 cocpl.org Special Acknowledgement Rebecca Flores Special Reading Coordinator Stacy L. Sanchez Special Reading Coordinator
$50,000 The Commerce Hotel·Casino $10,000 Harvey Capital Corporation Johannessen Trading Co. Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. TransTech Engineers, Inc. $5,000 9th St. Partners, LLC $4,000 Link Logistics Real Estate $1,100 AMVAC Chemical Corporation $1,000 Benjamin Ruiz L Tech Network Services Tzeng Long USA, Inc. $500 Commerce Sister City Association Hong Kong Chinese Fast Food Ink Systems Inc. LK Packaging Nora Lighting Inc. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen #12280 Wine Warehouse $400 Commerce Truck Stop (DBA Bakura) $300 Commerce Petro Fuel $250 Familia Bautista $200 Beatriz Samiento & Beatriz R Sarmiento $126 SuperSonic $110 Nellie M. Zepeda $100 Anonymous Donor CIE Trucking, Inc. Kiyohara & Takahashi, LLD 2023 City of Commerce Scholarship The City of Commerce is proud to recognize the following donors for their generous contributions to the Commerce Scholarship Program.