The La Crescenta Woman’s Club has announced the six local college-bound scholarship recipients for the 2018 year. Their awards were presented at the Club’s April meeting. These students excelled in scholarship, community contribution and participation in collegiate and statewide career developmental programs.

Talin Bakalyan of Crescenta Valley High School received Member of the Year Award from the California Scholarship Federation. She is vice president and treasurer of Autism Speaks, earned her Girl Scout Gold Award, and attended the UCLA National Youth Leadership Forum in Medicine and Camp Neuro at Keck Medicine of USC to pursue her interest in healthcare. She is captain of the CV advanced dance team and competes with local volleyball clubs as well as volunteers and tutors.

Martin Franco, in spite of his personal obstacles, has developed volunteering to an art form. For four years he has been a teacher’s assistant for special needs students, served as “buddy” for athletes competing in the Tri Valley Special Olympics, served in soup kitchens feeding the homeless, volunteered at the Salvation Army of Glendale and assisted with toy donations. His Eagle Scout Award is pending and, upon graduation, he will continue with scouting as an adult leader with Verdugo Hills Council Troop 125.

Alexandria Jo has been recognized as a commended student in the National Merit Scholarship Program, is Key Club lieutenant governor overseeing six clubs, is national director of development for Sponsor Us, which helps students realize their entrepreneurial dreams, and is a HOBY delegate. She is an active speech and debate member, president of the Badminton Club, placed in the Henderson Library Teen Writing Contest, short story division, and volunteers in multiple local organizations.

Alexis Karakis, has been awarded the LCWC History Dept. Scholarship and is pursuing a history BA to juris doctorate. She served in various offices on her way to president of the California Scholarship Federation, president and former youth liaison to the CV Town Council, head literary editor of Journeys Magazine, and theater director at Crescenta Valley High School. She was awarded the Best Witness Award at the UCLA Mock Trial Summer Institute.

Sioret Nersesian, a Clark High School student, is an advanced classical violinist, tutors with the Best Tutor Program in biology, chemistry, algebra and pre-calculus, was a participant in the National PTA Reflections Arts Education Program, and is on the Principal’s Advisory Committee. She also volunteers with Camp Children’s Hospital and the Montrose Chamber of Commerce and has interests in sports and crafts.

Nolan Stewart received the Roberta Kurtz Scholarship for the Arts, specializing in trombone, and will pursue a career in music. He is president of the CV Symphony Orchestra, member of the Colburn Community Wind Ensemble, was a member of the 2016 Tournament of Roses Honor Band and has performed in the “Phantom of the Opera.” Stewart played in Symphonic Band the California All State Music Education Conference. He is a student band council member and has performed at the CV Weekly’s Finest party, at the Taste of Home in Glendale, and for Friends of Rockhaven.

The La Crescenta Woman’s Club, in additional to providing scholarships, supports dozens of other organizations in the greater community and welcomes new members. It meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. and is home to an historical building located at 4004 La Crescenta Ave. in La Crescenta. It may be reached at info@lacrescentawomansclub.org.

Submitted by Nina BEYT