Participating in the Spring 2026 Scholarship Ceremony hosted by the Cerritos College Foundation was an experience I lived from two perspectives, both as a reporter and as a scholarship recipient.
As a journalism major, I arrived at the event with my camera ready to document every moment, but also with the personal excitement and nerves of knowing that my name, Ashley Melendez, was on the list of winners.
Receiving a scholarship for the second consecutive year meant recognition of my academic effort and my commitment to my studies. This scholarship means a lot to me because it is a motivation to keep moving forward.
The ceremony was organized by the Cerritos College Foundation, an organization that works to remove financial barriers and expand access to education. Each year, the foundation distributes more than $400,000 in financial support to students, thanks to partnerships with businesses, community-based organizations, municipalities, and alumni.
The foundation also collaborates with employers through the Economic Development Department to train workers and strengthen a diverse and prepared workforce.
During the event, board members and staff were recognized as the backbone of the work the foundation carries out.
While conducting interviews, I discovered that many scholarship recipients shared feelings similar to mine. The first student I spoke with was Elizabeth Lizama Conde, a psychology major.
Elizabeth told me she had never received a scholarship before and was still surprised. As she spelled her name, she explained that this recognition gave her emotional and financial support at a key moment in her academic life.
I also interviewed Joseph Melesse, a business administration major. Joseph said he had applied the previous semester without success, so this time he expected another rejection. When he received the news that he had been selected, he felt relief and pride. He said the scholarship would allow him to accomplish an academic goal he had postponed for financial reasons.
One of the most emotional interviews was with Celeste Hernandez, a bioengineering major recently admitted to UC Berkeley. Celeste said the scholarship arrived at a crucial moment, as she is about to transfer and university expenses are high. Her mother, Glenda Paz, shared her pride and gratitude. “It is help we urgently needed, and we have been able to find it here,” she said.
As I took photos of the event, I observed scholarship recipients hugging their families and donors speaking with students. In that environment, I understood what this ceremony meant to me. Being a scholarship recipient made me feel validated, supported, and motivated to keep moving forward.
As a reporter, I was able to document stories that reflect effort, resilience, and hope. As a student, I was able to see myself in each of them.
The ceremony served as more than an academic event. It was a reminder that students do not walk alone, that their work matters, and that there are people and institutions who believe in their potential.
