Bonita Students Receive Big Pay Day

Bonita Senior Tyler Jones holds up a big check with help from, left, Bonita Principal Robert Ketterling and University of La Verne President Dr. Stephen Morgan.

Sometimes, it pays to go to school.

On Wednesday, April 21, 14 Bonita seniors learned they would receive a combined $201,592 in La Verne grants and scholarships upon their enrollment for the 2009-10 academic year at the University of La Verne.

The Bonita students are: Sara Acevedo, Joseph Cardenas, Aaron Colby, Jared Ferree, Krista Franceschini, Melissa Gattoni, Kathleen Hart, Alexandra Hernandez, Tyler Jones, Adam Kashenberg, Jami Law, Ryan Miramontes, Elizabeth Reitzell, Christopher Richter and Matthew Shaffer.

Presenting a check symbolizing the collective award to students was University of La Verne President Dr. Steve Morgan.

“This is an especially difficult time for high school students and their parents as they search for opportunities in higher education,” Morgan said, addressing the students, Bonita Principal Robert Ketterling and the students’ counselors. “As an engaged regional university, La Verne is dedicating additional resources to its financial aid packages in an effort to ensure accessibility and affordability for all qualified students. The university is purposely increasing available funding for students attending high schools within the region in an effort to offer those individuals and their families positive solutions to meet their specific needs.

“If we miss a generation, we will never catch up. The investments we make now will pay off in a lifetime of service.”

With the financial aid, Bonita Senior Tyler Jones now has a clear path on pursuing the career of his dreams. “I want to be an athletic trainer, and the University of La Verne has excellent program in this field.”

Jaimi Law a Bonita varsity butterfly sprinter for the varsity swim team, said she was also enrolling at La Verne in the fall because of the University’s athletic training program. “I’m very excited about it,” she said.

Elizabeth Reitzell was attracted to the University’s English program. She also had another reason for selecting the University. “It’s close to my house,” she said.

Adam Kashenberg also found the University’s local appeal irresistible. “It’s close to home, and it has a great business school,” he said.

Bonita counselors were also beaming over their students’ choices.

“University of La Verne is a fantastic school,” counselor Kelly McGarvey said. “The feedback I’ve gotten from students has been very good. The students who go there feel like they’re getting a very good education. I have students tell me they feel like it’s a family-type atmosphere, that there are lots of opportunities for involvement in clubs or athletics that might not be available with larger institutions. The relationships that many have garnered with their professors are positive ones that extend past graduation.”

The student awards do not reflect any state or federal aid. When that amount is multiplied over four years of study, it represents a potential of more than $800,000 awarded in La Verne grants and scholarships.

University spokesman Charles Bentley summed up the significance of attracting so many quality students to the University of La Verne campus. “We’re thrilled for every Bonita student we get,” Bentley said. “Bonita has a tremendous reputation for academic excellence, and they will carry on that tradition of excellence at the University in the fall.”