Belmont High Graduating Senior Gets A Boost

Belmont High’s class of 2011 graduates Wednesday evening.  Among the graduates taking the stage in the auditorium will be Rosalia Sebastian.

Sebastian is the youngest of eight children, and the mother of one of her own, a four year old. But that’s not going to stop her from attending Glendale Community College, where she hopes to study accounting.

Math Whiz

“Math entertains me, “ she said, when I met her at Belmont High on May 23, the day she learned she would be getting a $1,000 “Cash for College” scholarship.

Sebastian can use the award to pay for reading materials and other things needed for school.

She became eligible for the award by  attending a “Cash for College” workshop organized by the office of City Council District 13 in February.

Her college counselor John Kim suggested she go.

“The teachers at Belmont are great,” Rosalia said. “They’re always pushing and encouraging me.”

Over 50 Belmont students were came to the workshop to learn how to apply for college financial aid. Sebastian's name was picked in a drawing afterwards.

Eric Garcetti Goes to Belmont to Give Out the Award

Council member Eric Garcetti came to Belmont on to present the award to her. It was a total surprise, but a welcome one.

Though she’s good at math, Sebastian also likes working with kids, and works part time at A World Fit for Kids.

 “Because you have a child, you have to look out, “ she said. “You want to be a role model.”

It seems like she is well on her way.

Congrats to Rosalia Sebastian and all the 2011 graduates at Belmont High.