Women's Division honors scholars

The Women's Division Chamber of Commerce awarded $1,000 scholarships to eight Anaheim high school students Thursday at its annual scholarship luncheon at The Catch restaurant. The students were selected for their commitment and volunteer work in the community. The honorees are: Breanne Cisneros of Loara High School; Kera Jackson of Katella High School; Henry Arayasirikul of Savanna High School; Jia-Wei Yuh of Western High School; John Nguyen of Oxford Academy; John Paulo Martinez of Katella High School; Joanna Fick of Canyon High School; and Candace Cryer of Western High School. Betsy Bay, Women's Division president, said the scholarships are a way to recognize students who are committed to serving Anaheim. Bay also said that by rewarding the students, the Women's Division is putting money back into the city. "We're supporting these young adults because they may be the future of the city," Bay said. June Lowry, chairwoman of the scholarship committee, said the scholarship process is selective. To qualify for the award, students must be demonstrate excellent community service, be recommended by an organization in which they volunteer for, and must provide a letter of recommendation from a teacher. "These students are very involved in the community and in school," Lowry said. "Some students average over 1,000 hours of volunteer work throughout the year." For the past five years, proceeds for the scholarships have been provided through the organization's "Man of the Year Contest." Each fall, the Women's Division asks several nonprofit organizations in Anaheim to nominate one outstanding man by paying him $1 each. The man who raises the most money will become "Man of the Year." "This is the first time you can say we pay somebody out," Lowry said jokingly. Fifty percent of the profits go to scholarship money, and the rest goes to different organizations that helped nominate him. John Paulo Martinez, a native of the Philippines, moved to the United States five years ago. The Katella High School student has served in rallies, helped out in La Casa Garcia's annual Thanksgiving dinner. He is also involved in his school's Key Club, Future Business Leaders of America and MESA among others. His recent arrival has not stopped him from being active in the community. "I like to be involved because you get to know the community better," Martinez said. Winners of the 2003 Women's Division of the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce scholarships are: Candace Cryer, above, and left, top from left, Jia-Wei Yuh, Breanne Cisneros, Joanna Pick and Kara Jackson, and bottom from left, John Paulo Martinez, John Nguyen, and Henry Arayasirlkul. The winners were honored May 1 at a luncheon. "When people say they can't help in the community, I tell them that they should just try." Kathy Cryer, who received the award on behalf of her daughter, Candace, said she is proud of her daughter. "I see how hard she works and I'm happy she's getting recognized for it," Cryer said. Cryer was unable to attend the ceremony.