Girls Inc. of OC Raises Impressive $450,000 at 2025 College Bound Luncheon

Girls Inc. of Orange County hosted its annual College Bound Luncheon on Friday, November 7th at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum, raising an impressive $450,000 to support its signature College Bound initiative. The event brought together community leaders, educators, philanthropists, and Girls Inc. participants to champion a program that equips hundreds of local girls each year with mentorship, resources, and real-world pathways to higher education and leadership.

Before the formal program began, guests were welcomed to a pre-program reception, where they mingled with others, learned more about Girls Inc.’s mission, and took photos at branded photo stations. The reception set a warm and celebratory tone for the afternoon ahead.

As guests entered the ballroom, a lively drum performance by The UCI Jodaiko Drummers energized the room and created an immediate sense of excitement. Beautiful florals by Gen’s Blooms & More added vibrant touches to the space. Early in the luncheon, attendees took part in a spirited coin-flip game that had the entire room cheering and laughing. The interactive moment sparked early excitement for giving and ultimately covered the cost of college applications for girls in the College Bound Program.

The program opened with remarks from Jenny and Isabella Kouyoumdjian, Girls Inc. alumnae and emcees for the afternoon. The sisters participated in Girls Meet the Workforce and the College Bound Program before earning their B.S. degrees in Biochemistry from UCLA in 2024 and their Master’s degrees in Biochemistry, Molecular & Structural Biology from UCLA in 2025. Now both working as medical scribes at CHOC and Vituity, they reflected on how Girls Inc. shaped their educational and career trajectories.

Girls Inc. CEO Lucy Santana then delivered remarks highlighting the growth and measurable impact of the College Bound pipeline — a program that now supports 250 girls annually and continues to show remarkable results:

• 100% of College Bound participants are accepted into a post-secondary institution
• 52% declare STEM majors
• 46% are first-generation college students
• 23 local businesses provide workforce preparation through mentorships, externships, and site visits
• Over $30,000 in application fees are covered each year to ensure financial barriers do not prevent access to college

“The support shown at this year’s College Bound Luncheon will open doors for hundreds of girls pursuing higher education,” said Lucy Santana, CEO of Girls Inc. of Orange County. “Every contribution helps us build opportunities that empower girls to reach their goals, step into leadership, and become the skilled and confident talent our communities and workforce need.”

A compelling “mission moment” was delivered by Tatyana Briceño, a Girls Inc. alumna and Reed Family Foundation Scholarship recipient who is now pursuing Public Health and Medical Sciences at UC San Diego. The first in her family to attend college, Tatyana shared how she had long worried about whether she would be able to afford attending college at all — and, as the oldest sibling, how those worries quickly expanded to include her younger sisters who were not far behind her. She described Girls Inc. as her north star, guiding her academically, professionally, and personally, connecting her to scholarship support, and helping her chart a clear path toward a future in community health leadership — for herself and, ultimately, a brighter outlook for her sisters as well.

A highlight of the afternoon was the live “Sponsor a Girl” paddle raise where guests raised paddles to support program elements at every level — from technology tools and mentorship programs to college preparation camps and workforce readiness pipelines.

Guests also had the chance to participate in two exclusive opportunity drawings, which brought additional excitement into the room: a private 7-night luxury stay in Hawaii and a private chef dinner for four in the winner’s home, curated by Culinary Institute of America–trained Chef John Lopata.

For more information about Girls Inc. of Orange County’s College Bound Program and how to get involved, visit www.girlsinc-oc.org.