2 Palos Verdes Students To Receive $10K Scholarships

PALOS VERDES, CA — Two Palos Verdes students were selected to receive a $10,000 scholarship as part of the 2019 Milken Scholars program, it was announced Friday. Youngeun Kim and Chaghyun Kim from Palos Verdes High School were among 16 students from Los Angeles chosen for the 2019 scholarship program after a rigorous nomination, application and interview process by The Milken Scholars, a joint initiative of the Milken Institute and the Milken Family Foundation, the Milken Scholars press release said.

Milken Scholars are selected based on academic performance, community service, leadership and their ability to persevere in the face of personal challenges; the program is open to college-bound high school students in Los Angeles County, New York City and Washington, D.C.

Here is what the Milkin Scholars had to say about Palos Verdes student Chaghyun Kim:

"Protecting the environment is a priority for Changhyun (Andy) Kim, a graduate of Palos Verdes High School. As team leader of the Solar Cup Club, Andy helped his peers build a solar-powered boat, guiding the design and construction process, organizing meetings and mentoring beginners. The team competed in a tournament held by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California; their boat won first place for endurance and second place in the sprint. As president of the International Environmental Service Club, Andy hosted fundraising events and led nature hikes. He has brought club members to volunteer for the Palos Verdes Land Conservancy, for which he is a team leader. Andy has performed independent scientific research at a local marsh preserve, including ways to capture and reuse the heat generated by cars and the behavior of local birds.

Andy is an AP Scholar and a Commended National Merit Scholar. He earned a Certificate of Congressional Recognition, second place at the Los Angeles County Science Fair, the Audubon Youth Environmental Stewards Award, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Earth System Science Award. Andy shadowed a local cardiologist, participating in clinical rounds and pre-operation meetings and worked in the café of a local church. A budding entrepreneur, Andy created an online clothing store, buying vintage designer apparel in Japan and reselling it in the U.S. and South Korea. The store has seen more than $11,000 in sales since its launch January 2018.
Andy serves food to the homeless on Skid Row, mentors a young boy with mutism and is learning American Sign Language. He volunteers at a nursing home with Korean-speaking seniors, leading card games and helping with exercise classes.

Andy will study biology at Emory University and plans a career in medicine."

Here is what the Milkin Scholars had to say about Palos Verdes student Youngeun Kim:

"As president of the FIRST Robotics team at Palos Verdes High School, Youngeun (Eric) Kim led his team as they designed, built and programmed a robot in six weeks for the intense FIRST Robotics competition. The team’s lead programmer, Eric created mathematical models, experimented with code and scavenged user manuals. The team made school history when it placed fifth and made the quarterfinals at a regional competition. Eric developed a training curriculum, created sub-teams and delegated training sessions to more experienced members, all to ensure the program’s continued success after the seniors graduated.

Eric is a National AP Scholar and a finalist for the Gates, Edison and National Merit Scholarships. He received the Rensselaer Medal, Presidential Service Award and Audubon YES Award. Eric earned recognition from the California Department of Education, California Mathematics Council, County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors and California State Senate. An experienced competitor in STEM events, he won honors at the American Mathematics Competition, Math Kangaroo, Cerritos Science Olympiad, National Math and Science Competition, Rio Hondo Regional Science Olympiad and Palos Verdes Science Fair. The president of the Math Club, Eric solved thousands of problems and created a cumulative guide for the American Mathematics Competition.
As vice president of the International Environmental Society, Eric learned about native and invasive species and the importance of biodiversity as he weeded, mulched and planted. He captained the track team, plays jazz guitar, mentored students at Pepperdine University’s leadership camp, tutors science and math at South Bay Megastudy, and raises money for disaster relief with the Korean American Youth Society. Eric studied decision-making, writing and STEM problem-solving at Stanford University. He and a friend secured a provisional patent for a green energy generator that uses less space and is more cost-efficient than wind turbines.

Eric will study physics at Cornell University and is considering a career as an analyst."

The other 2019 Los Angeles Milken Scholars are:

• Christian Alexander, Hawthorne Mathematics and Science Academy (Washington University in St. Louis)
• Paul Bingaman, Jr., The Buckley School (Harvard)
• Stephanie Castaneda Perez, Harbor Teacher Preparatory Academy (Stanford)
• Esteban Flores, South Gate High School (University of California, Berkeley)
• Haesung Jee, Grover Cleveland Charter High School (Harvard)
• Oluwamayowa "Mayowa" Jolayemi, Richard Gahr High School (Harvard)
• Hangyul "Lyna" Kim, North Hollywood High School (Stanford)
• Ronen Lee, North Hollywood High School (University of California, Berkeley)
• Brianny Martinez, South Gate High School (Stanford)
• Yunhee "Eunice" Park, Oakwood Secondary School (Yale)
• Marcos Perez, North Hollywood High School (California Institute of Technology)
• Brigitte Rodriguez, Downtown Magnets High School (University of Southern California)
• Justin Yeh, Glen A. Wilson High School (Harvey Mudd College)
• Jiangda "J.D." Zhao, Gretchen Whitney High School (Yale)

Mike and Lori Milken founded the Milken Scholars Program to promote and assist young adults as they navigate transitioning from high school to college, and from college to graduate school or the world of work. Recipients receive a $10,000 scholarship, "but more importantly they gain a lifelong support system that includes ongoing career-related counseling, assistance in securing internships, opportunities for community service, and a fund to assist their pursuit of post-undergraduate career goals," the press release said.

"In the nearly three decades since Lori and I co-founded the Milken Scholars program, these leaders of tomorrow have consistently inspired us by their achievements, leadership and dedication to service," said Milken Institute Chairman Mike Milken. "This year’s class of outstanding Washington, D.C. Scholars is no exception. In welcoming them to the Milken Scholars family, we are confident they can change the world."

The Los Angeles Milken Scholars will attend a four-day summit from August 1-4 in Los Angeles with more than 100 Scholars including new recipients, undergraduates and alumni facilitators.