Ten members of Ventura College’s MESA organization were awarded $10,500 scholarships honoring their hard work and commitment to furthering their education.

The 10 individuals were recognized and awarded through the MESA California Community College Transfer Scholarship Consortium. According to VC MESA director Marcos Lupian, the Consortium was established to help assist students who are pursuing careers in computer science, engineering and mathematics.

“The main target of this [scholarship] is to help underrepresented groups such as Latinos, Native Americans and other minorities who may need financial help in school,” said Lupian. “These awards are also a symbol of the dedication to learning that these students possess.”

MESA is a program that promotes mathematics, engineering and science achievement. There are currently 30 funded MESA programs across the state of California. Of those 30 programs, hundreds of students applied for a limited amount of scholarships given by the Consortium, but all 10 VC students who applied were awarded.

“When I first saw the list… I was shocked,” said Lupian. “Even if half of them received awards it would have been great, but all 10 of them are very good students and I’m very excited for them.”

The high win rate is a reflection of the hard work of the director, who kept his students updated about schedules, guidelines and deadlines.

“Marcos was always on top of us,” said scholarship recipient Luis Mejia, a 20-year-old civil engineering major. “He went through the process with us every step of the way. We couldn’t have done this without him.”

Many of the award winners expressed their excitement over winning such an enormous amount, which will be given over a three year period.

“It feels like I won the lottery,” said 21-year-old math major Emmanuel Terraza Aguilar.

Edgar Juarez, a 22-year-old mechanical engineering major, added, “It’s pretty awesome.”

Of all the emotions flowing through each winner’s mind and body, the idea of less financial burdens stood out among the group.

“With this scholarship, I won’t have to take out as many loans,” said Mejia, who will be transferring to University of California Irvine in the fall.

Brian Morey, a 20-year-old mechanical and aerospace engineering major, added that the financial burdens will also alleviate the stress of his family.

“My family can’t afford to pay for every little thing,” he said, “so this scholarship is going to help so much.”

Of all the award recipients, Morey is one of two winners who stand out. As the only non-transfer of the bunch to receive a scholarship, Morey was entitled a Rising Sophomore, which indicates his place at the community college level for another year. Each Rising Sophomore recipient is awarded $12,500 over a four year period.

The other scholarship beneficiary who stands out is 23-year-old chemistry major and future UCLA student Maria Carvajal, the only female to win in the group.

“I’m very proud to be a girl,” she said. “It’s so much harder for women to get jobs in these fields. It’s nice to be acknowledged.”

Congratulations to all MESA scholarship recipients: Maria Carvajal, Enrique Guevara, Edgar Juarez, Luis Mejia, Angel Mendoza, Brian Morey, Jorge Rubalcava, Israel Tellez and Emmanual Terraza Aguilar.