STRATHMORE - Harmony Magnet Academy student Judith Gomez is a high achiever and a dedicated student who's pursuing a career in STEM, or, STEAM, as an environmental engineer.
She applied to 20 colleges and universities, was accepted at 18, and has narrowed down the search to her university of choice back east, said her proud smiling mother Lilia Gomez, who stood next to her smiling husband Juan Manuel Gomez.
Judith received a Edison Scholarship check of $50,000 on Monday from Southern California Edison Vice President of Operational Services Michael Marelli, who spoke of her kindly, praising her for her achievements in her education.
Before the ceremony, Brian Thoburn, SCE Government Relations Manager congratulated HMA Principal Jeff Brown, saying Gomez was the first Edison scholar from HMA, while Judith’s mother Lilia chatted with Marelli about their plans visiting schools back East. They will be visiting Princeton, Johns Hopkins, Yale, and Stanford in the Bay Area.
“This is a complete surprise,” said Judith, “And I’m so happy.
“This is an incredible opportunity that will help me pursue my educational dreams in environmental engineering.”
“Thank you to SCE for helping my daughter Judith pursue her dreams of going to university,” said Judith’s mother.
Judith’s father is the owner of JM Trucking in Porterville. He said, “I appreciate the school (HMA) so much. My daughter has achieved excellence before she has even stepped on campus.”
Judith and her parents spoke to HMA Counselor Liz Arias, and Brown among the people gathered for the ceremony near the campus cafeteria outside. SCE Project Management Specialist Diana Valenzuela and SCE Field Engineer Traeger Cotton also attended the ceremony.
“This is the 20th year of the SCE Scholarship program, that has awarded $19 million since 2006 to 790 recipients. And that's shareholder monies,” said SCE V.P. Marelli.
After the ceremony, Brown said, “Judith has always been a high achiever. What I appreciate most about her is her simple spirit. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her stressed out about anything. So I know she will utilize the scholarship to make the world a better place.”
HMA Theater/Stagecraft teacher, Charles Hickinbotham, said, “Judith is an amazing person. She asked me about starting an Art Club at school during the beginning of 2024 and asked me to be her advisor. She started the club and has kept it going. She is skilled at drawing and painting, and club members are painting the sets for our play Nunsense, which is playing Thursday, April 10, Friday, April 11, and Saturday, April 12.”