RUSD CLASS OF 2023 SENIOR SPOTLIGHT ISSUE PART 2

Photo Courtesy of SGVN Photographer

Libby Cline Birmingham

Rowland Unified S.T.A.R.S. Adult Transition Students Class of 2023 at their annual exit ceremony. Left to right: Mustafa Rizvi, Fatima Victorino, Mackenzie Willis, Tom Ku and Briana Granados.

Educational Specialist Olivia Pallares for the S.T.A.R.S. program with student Fatima Victorino.

Pictured Above: S.T.A.R.S. Student Tom Ku worked at the Rowland Unified School District's warehouse as part of the workability program. The RUSD warehouse team presented him with a special delivery: his own official warehouse shirt!

Rowland Unified is proud of our Adult Transition students from the District's Specialized Transition Adult Resources and Skills Program (S.T.A.R.S.) that were celebrated for completing the program at the annual exit ceremony. The S.T.A.R.S. program combines classes and community experiences to help students with various developmental disabilities, who received a high school certificate of completion, ages 19 through 22, and help learn the skills necessary for a productive, independent life.

At the ceremony, students shared with their family and staff presentations about their time in S.T.A.R.S., their favorite Community-Based Instruction activity, their favorite job through the workability program, and what they hope to pursue as a member of the Rowland Heights community. 

“These students truly emulate what STARS is all about and we can't wait to see what they will achieve,” said Annette Martinez, Special Education Coordinator at Rowland Unified School District.

RUSD thanks the many community partners in the Workability Program, including companies such as Costco, Marriot, Rite Aid, 99cent store and Walgreens who provide our students with valuable real-world skills.

If you are interested in learning more how you can become a company that works with our S.T.A.R.S. program, please contact the Rowland Unified School District Special Education Department at (626)935-8202.

Pictured Left: S.T.A.R.S. Student Mackenzie Willis receiving her certificate from for completing the program.

Gates and Questbridge Scholarship Winner and Nogales High School

Valedictorian Thomas Aguilar is on his way to Pomona College,

a top liberal arts college in Claremont, CA.

A prediction: This will not be the last time we see Thomas Aguilar!

Nogales High School Scholar and Valedictorian walked the stage multiple times on Senior Awards Night and is a winner of two of the most competitive scholarships available to students across the nation: the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship and The Gates Scholarship.

(Pictured above Thomas Aguilar with his family being honored by the Rowland Unified School District Board of Education).

QuestBridge Match provides a full four year scholarship to a student who has demonstrated academic excellence in and out of the classroom. This year’s total Questbridge scholarship is worth a whopping $360,000!

For the eighth time, the prestigious Gates Scholarship was awarded to a Nogales High School senior. Thomas was one of only 750 scholars from a pool of 51,000 seniors from across the nation for this highly selective scholarship that provides college funding to the university of their choice. The Gates covers all personal and educational costs over the next four years, as well as resources to pursue graduate or professional study. Both of these life changing opportunities were granted to Thomas which is very rare. It’s safe to say when combined, all of his academic support, professional internships and every single college expense will be covered over the course of his educational journey. Thomas will be attending Pomona College, a top private liberal arts college in Claremont, California.

In addition to these national awards, Thomas received several school awards and scholarships including all three of the Noble academic awards for excellence in Mathematics, Science, and Social Sciences, and as the 2023 Performing Artist of the Year.

Aguilar said he always pushed himself to excel academically, but it wasn’t until high school that he was able to really explore his passion for the arts. “As a first gen, low-income Filipino American, there is a cultural pressure I faced growing up,” said Thomas. “Imagine a whole family in the medical field and then me, the one art kid! The arts are not seen as a traditional, successful career and it was difficult to navigate being a kid searching for guidance and not being able to have that affirmation of my own dreams.” 

He established himself as a formidable artist and actor on campus, earning the lead in last spring’s production of “Blithe Spirit” while actively involved in the Nogales High School Drama Company, Art Club, along with Key Club, and publicist for the College Connect Club. His teachers have described him as, "A Renaissance Man. He loves the arts, literature and learning in general. Although he appears to be quiet, he has a witty sense of humor and can be quite mischievous!"

Others have said: "He has enriched his life during his educational journey at NHS. As a teacher, I was blessed to see Thomas' essence as a leader, dancer, actor, artist, and pioneer. He goes above and beyond a teacher's expectations and I am proud of the language skills that he developed during the past four years in the French program."

Rowland High School Raider and Ivy Bound Grad, Brandon Quach at Yale

Imagine the quandary… USC, Yale or Princeton? Yes, that is what Rowland Raider Brandon Quach had to decide since he was accepted to all. He is now another Ivy-League bound Rowland High School graduate. “To be honest, it was a whim, I really wasn’t going to apply and didn’t expect to get in to Yale. My friends and family said just do it. I applied for early decision and the email came on my 18th birthday. Not too shabby for a birthday present! I got into my dream school.”



Brandon excelled academically in the International Baccalaureate program and is a National Merit Commended student. He participated in Marching Band all four years and was a Clarinet Section Leader, Woodwind Captain, and Band President. During Brandon’s senior year and as a part of the IBA Club, he ran the City of Hope Blood Drive. Outside of school, Brandon and one of his closest friends started the Little Free Pantry to address the issue of food insecurity by helping disperse food among community members in need. He also started the Music and Movement Program at the La Habra Children’s Museum with his friend. They offer free music lessons to children. He plans to major in Environmental Science, specifically Cellular and Molecular Biology.

Favorite Experience While Touring Yale: “There is a tie between first place for me. I would have to say that it was either sitting in on an Environmental Science class discussing the impact of invasive pests on trees or staying at the dorms with current students and experiencing college life. The “Hogwarts” dining hall was definitely a sight to take in and I would say that the food was equally amazing.”

Preparing for College: “It feels overwhelming at times to plan to move across the country but I was very fortunate to have been awarded a few scholarships which aid in the process. While it is bittersweet to leave behind all I have known in Rowland I know that there is much to look forward to.” Brandon was awarded many scholarships and was just notified that he received the Milken Scholars Scholarship that provides ongoing academic and career-related counseling, assistance with career-related experiences through internships and job shadowing opportunities and a graduate fund, which assists students as they prepare for the world of work or graduate school. Tomorrow night he will also be presented with the Hong Kong Schools Alumni Federation Scholarship. In addition, he earned the First General Bank Scholarship, along with the David and Teri Malkin Humanitarian Scholarship, CSF Scholarship and Huang Kao Math and Science Scholarship.

A Big Thank You: “I really have to thank our College and Career Guidance Counselor Ms. Galaviz. Without her, I had no idea what to do. I got into my dream school, but didn’t know if I could actually afford to attend. She has walked me through the last five months of my life handling all of the paperwork and logistics. I was in the College and Career Center and she helped me week by week. I finally got my financial aid package and it was a huge weight lifted. To know that I will graduate debt free is huge.”

Rowland High School Raider Vincent Lo Headed for Harvard

Ever since Rowland Raider Vincent Lo was little, he envisioned himself going to the East Coast to live and work. “I really like the cold and snow and dreamed of working in New York. I was in shock when I opened the last of my college acceptance emails and found out I was accepted to Harvard! I am so grateful!”

Vincent has so many interests and that is what attracted him to Harvard. No matter what field he plans to study – politics, business, medical – every major is top tier at Harvard. Vincent is an AP Scholar with a GPA of 4.44 and has maintained the Principal’s Honor Roll since Freshman Year and has been a member of the California Scholarship Federation and National Honor Society since 2019.

Vincent was co-creator of GoChooseChange, a non-profit that he and his two friends (and fellow Raiders Dylan Kang and Noah Lim) began during the pandemic where they brought volunteers to assist at a variety of community events such as beach cleanups, helping the homeless and elderly. He was active in UNICEF that helped raise money for children in need. Vincent was an intern for a City of Irvine Councilmember and received the Presidential Gold Volunteer Award for his service to the community. And to cap it off, yes, he was also Prom King!

His Inspiration: “My dad inspires me to do my best. Before I was able to drive he took me everywhere, water polo practice in Tustin, table tennis practice, tournaments and super far places and supported me. Without him I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Most Proud Of: “I am most proud of the swimming program I created for low-income students in the area. Aquatics should be for everyone and accessible for everyone. I really liked teaching kids how to swim, it was really enjoyable. I partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Brea/Placentia/Yorba Linda and I taught at a community pool in a housing area. I had up to 16 students with a friend of mine who was also a lifeguard.” (Pictured above: Vincent teaching students how to swim).

Advice to Future Raiders: “Trust your teachers, lots of students don’t talk to them and have regular conversations with them. My teachers definitely helped me a lot like Ms. Kuo my World Language teacher and Ms. Co my math teacher. I really appreciated it.”

June 7, 2023 RUSD News Graduation Issue Part 2 Editor gward@rowlandschools.org

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