Five UCSD students receive technology packages as part of scholarship

Five UCSD students who are former foster children on Tuesday received technology packages as part of a nationwide scholarship program established by Sony, with Intel’s collaboration.

UCSD was one of 30 universities and community colleges around the country selected to participate in the program. The each received a Sony VAIO notebook with an Intel Centrino 2 Processor, Webbie high-definition camera with 16-gigabyte memory card and Walkman® MP3 player, which can be used to listen to electronically recorded lectures.

The winners were:

• Ya Hui “Evy” Lin is working toward a master’s degree with the goal of someday developing pharmaceutical drugs to help others. Last year, she finished her undergraduate degree on the campus in human biology. Lin grew up in California’s foster system. She also battled — and overcame — thyroid cancer as a teenager in high school.
• Samantha Marie Alvarez, a recent transfer student studying psychology with the goal of becoming an advocate for current and former foster youth;
• Eden Haven, a recent transfer student studying linguistics. She plans on becoming a Spanish teacher and would like to work with foster youth after graduation;
• Adam Radtke, a third year undergraduate majoring in political science. Having interned with a state assemblyman and Governor Schwarzenegger’s office, Radke plans to pursue a graduate degree in law or political science; and
• Victoria Velasquez, a junior majoring in political science. Velasquez plans to apply for law school upon graduation, with the goal of going into law and politics.

“Technology is a huge part of the learning process today,” said Mike Abary, senior vice president of Sony Electronics. “We understand the added pressures students and faculty have during these tough economic times, and want to help outstanding individuals focus on what’s really important — education.”
He was joined at the presentation by Anne Gregory, Intel’s state and local education program manager. “Intel is pleased to join Sony in designing and supporting this program, which provides notebook computers to deserving students at a time when both family and state education budgets are under pressure,” she said.

Coordinating the gifts of technology packages is UC San Diego’s Guardian Scholars Program, which is committed to supporting former foster youth in their efforts to gain a college education. In addition to providing assistance with scholarship applications and financial aid, the program helps these students orient themselves to university life, gives them year-round access to campus housing, and assists with career planning and job opportunities.

To learn more about the UC San Diego Guardian Scholars Program and how you can help former foster youth achieve their dreams of a UCSD education, call (858) 822-1536.