RECIPIENTS
RALPH A. KERBER MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
Scholarship Recipients
Meet The Students of 2024
Dennis O'Hara Award For Outstanding Achievement
Sydney Stewart
🎓 Chicago School Of Psychology | Adams Pool Plastering​
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We are very pleased to acknowledge her continued Excellence in Education and Community Service! Sydney has earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and has now started her master’s program in mental health counseling. “As I continue on my path to becoming a mental health counselor, I want to carry the passion I have gained with me always. I want to impact the individuals I work with in the most helpful, positive way. Nothing can stand between me and my educational and professional goals.” In addition to her school work Sydney plans to volunteer as an advocate for her clients “outside of the therapy room.” She says that the obstacles she learned to overcome in her undergraduate years will empower her to stretch herself to focus on what matters most to her and also matters in the world. She looks forward to “magnifying my impact on the mental health field.
Chase Adams
🎓 Long Beach State University | Adams Pool Plastering​
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Chase says he has memories of working in the pool industry that date back to riding around with his father and brother to various job sites. It is probably these memories that inspire him to feel, “The prospects of what I may be doing for work has always come second to my dream of being a family man. So long as I can continue to envision this future I believe the material aspects to my goals will follow suit.” Until his dreams of having a family come true, Chase is working hard to forge a great career for his future family. He is currently “continuing with full steam” toward his goal of a business degree. He is majoring in marketing to become “a contributing member of the corporate workplace!”
Ellena Ashby
🎓 University Of Minnesota | Atlas Pools
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Ellena believes there is “beauty in silence.” She has been deeply inspired by an experience when she watched a woman communicating in sign language. She remembers, “Although it’s impolite to stare, I couldn’t drag my eyes away from their communication.” She was “enthralled” by “their quiet demeanor yet lively conversation,” and she is studying to become proficient in American Sign Language. She also calls herself “a melodramatic child” which she sees as something that is “propelling” her to a career as a Psychologist specializing in deaf and hard of hearing patients. She says she is determined in, “Pursing a career as a Psychologist specializing in deaf and hard of hearing patients.”
Regina Catahan
🎓 Cal State Fullerton | Titan Pools
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Regina is a Sophomore at Cal State Fullerton. She says, “After finishing high school, I thought I’d have an exact idea of what I wanted to do as a career. Turns out, it’s something that could take a while to figure out!” She is inspired to do something in the film industry and right now is drawn to becoming a colorist, but visual effects or writing scores are also attractive to her. Being in the film industry will help her make a reality out of her finding joy “to see other people be satisfied by the little things in life, so I’ve always wanted to be the one who created the little things.” She says that is what has led to her “interest in the arts” and her desire to do something “artistic and expressive."
Aleksa DeLeon
🎓 Platt College | Aquatic Technologies
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Aleksa has always been a bit of an entrepreneur. She remembers her parents telling her “to work hard and provide respect and honesty and everything will come together so I can make my dreams come true.” At the age of 10 she started a recycling program at her elementary school, joined ASB in middle school and worked on lunch activities, school dances, planning field trips and school clean up. In high school, soccer and an agriculture program became her passion. She even started a business selling bracelets. She plans to work hard in college because “I know that all my goals will remain dreams if I do not complete my degree in Business."
Brandon Fraser
🎓 UC Berkeley | Swan Pools
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Brandon says he “worked exceptionally hard” in high school and “I am honored to have won numerous awards including: AP Scholar with Distinction, National Honors Society, California Scholarship Federation, Spanish National Honors Society, Forever United Community Service Award, Gold Scholar Athlete Award and the State Seal of Biliteracy. He has done all that while also being captain of the soccer team for four years and winning “Tournaments and League Championships.” He is an active volunteer working with seniors and helped build a house near TJ. He took three college computer programming classes during the summer developing a strong interest in computer software and design.
Matthew Gutierrez
🎓 Cal State Fullerton | Steele Pools
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Matthew just completed his first year in college. He says “The transition from high school to college was very difficult at first,” and says that his major is still undeclared, but he is learning a lot from his experiences and is leaning toward earning a degree in business. “I believe a business degree would be beneficial in that it can open up many different opportunities for my future and provide the foundation for many different career options.” He is determined to earn his bachelor’s degree in four years and pursue a master’s degree to “enhance my marketability in the business world.” Careers he finds most attractive are in the fields of marketing, sales, finance, management and accounting.
Nicolas Gutierrez
🎓 Texas Christian University | Steele Pools
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After his first year at TCU, Nicholas says, “I have developed a new understanding of what it takes to achieve what I want and become a better man every day.” He thinks that his time at TCU Is helping prepare him for what comes next in his education and will be a great foundation for the future. He is majoring in economics and plans “to push myself more than ever before, to pursue my passion of economics and make myself as knowledgeable in the field as I can be.” He would like his career to be working in a company forecasting and advising on economic moves.” He plans to intern so he can apply what he is learning in school. He would like to minor in finance or accounting.
Gabriella Hefted
🎓 Hamilton College | Aqua-Tec Pools
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“Ella” is in her senior year on her way to becoming a Physician’s Assistant. She is a Biology Major and Sociology Minor and was awarded the Renwick Prize in Biology. “Before the 2024 Fall Semester, I will go to Cornell University with my thesis partner to be formally trained and mentored in the field of animal necropsies. Through this work we look to understand the threats facing the New York State crow population.” She hopes the program will teach her more about the medical field. She enjoyed her time working at a reproductive and fertility care center and would like to work in that field upon graduation. This year she plans to intern as a medical scribe in an Orange County Fertility Clinic.
Logan Langevin
🎓 Biola University | Simply Pools
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Logan is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Cinematic Arts with a minor in Theology. He says, “My parents have always told me to learn every job from ‘the mailroom to the board room.’ I intend to take that advice and capitalize on any other jobs that may come my way.” One such opportunity has been proposed to Logan by one of his professors—write and make a film about his younger brother who has autism. Logan says Luke is very inspiring to him and he took his professor’s challenge and wrote a story about him that he hopes will be heartfelt, inspiring with a touch of humor. Logan will start filming in May and work on editing over the summer break.
Pablo Llamas
🎓 Cal State Fullerton | Titan Pools
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Pablo remembers that “from a young age, I was intrigued by the interplay of numbers, risk analysis, and the strategic decision-making processes that drive financial institutions. This curiosity has only grown stronger over time, fueling my desire to dive deeper into the complexities of this dynamic field.” As Pablo begins his college Sophomore year he is looking forward to breaking into the finance sector and earning his degree in Business Administration. Pablo is “driven by a relentless desire to continuously grow, learn, and contribute to the finance industry.” His extracurricular activities include the Finance Club and his active involvement in case competitions.
Michelle Lopez Bueno
🎓 Mt. San Antonio Junior College | Aquatic Technologies
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Michelle says, “Coming from parents with no high education, college is an exciting experience to look forward to.” Her current goals include graduating from high school with a good grade point average and getting her AA degree in Criminal Justice. She plans to enroll in a four year university after earning her AA. Michelle said her career path has been influenced because growing up she saw that, “criminals never actually paid the price of their actions. All this made me want to become a difference (maker) in my community. At the same time I will work to be a better person as I complete my dreams and goals that in the past I did not think were possible but now are within my reach.”
Rebecca McIlroy
🎓 Grand Canyon University | Mission Pools
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Rebecca is excited to be reigniting her pursuit of a college education and beginning a journey as a bodybuilder. “I had always found sanctuary within the gym but what I didn’t think I would discover was a new sanctuary within the realm of bodybuilding. She feels “empowered by the transformative journey of self discovery and healing that bodybuilding brought me,” which inspired her to “rediscover my path for higher education.” She says that her “anticipation of stepping onto the stage for my bodybuilding competition fills me with a blend of nerves and exhilaration.” She plans to “approach my studies with the same fervent determination to succeed."
Jason Swigger
🎓 UCLA | Nordic Pool & Spa
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Jason says, “I plan on studying Finance and Accounting at a four year institution and earning both my bachelor’s degree and my masters degree in Finance and Accounting.” Jason has been active in his community and making it a better place to live in. Much of this activity has come through his Eagle Scout special projects! In one of these projects he planted over 1,000 fire retardant trees, plants and ground cover along the walking trail in Mission Viejo. Jason also wants to be an example and inspiration to the young people around him “teaching the next generation (not only) how to behave, and what is right and wrong, but also how to treat others with kindness and respect."