2026 Scholarship Winners
Supporting leaders in action, High School and beyond.
We are pleased to report that the California Jaycee Foundation is strong, supporting the Jaycee movement now and well into the future.
The California Jaycee Foundation (CAJCF) annually gives at least four scholarships of $1,000 to graduating California high school seniors. This year the selection was from eighty plus candidates whose applications were AMAZING!. The CAJCF nominates two of the academic awardees and one vocational awardee to the USJCI Senate for consideration in the awarding its 35 scholarships of $1000-$2000 across the USA. Because of the generosity of our individual sponsors we were able to offer ELEVEN GRANTS THIS YEAR ! Thanks to our generous sponsors, all of whom were JCI officers subsequently successful in business and professional careers. A good demonstration of the power Jaycees provides to young people that keeps on giving for decades afterwards.
Here's a look at the background of the top academic & vocational education candidates for California, each of whom receives a $1,000 scholarship from the CAJC Foundation. We Congratulate EACH of them!​
Elise Chen is an accomplished STEM researcher whose work spans neuroscience, molecular biology, and diabetes‑related pathways. She has contributed to projects at UCLA’s BRAIN Lab, UC San Diego’s OPALS Program, and the City of Hope’s Arthur Riggs Diabetes & Metabolism Research Institute, including more than 260 volunteer hours at UCLA’s lab and co‑authored research presented at the International Conference on Biomedical Engineering and Systems in Paris and at the Society for Neuroscience 2025 in San Diego. Selected as one of 22 students nationwide for City of Hope’s competitive internship, she conducted wet‑lab experiments on Nrf2‑mediated stem‑cell islet maturation and presented her findings to physicians and principal investigators. A National Merit Finalist with a 1580 SAT score, Elise pairs academic excellence with leadership as President of Science Olympiad, where she expanded membership from 15 to over 110 students, built more than 80 engineering competition devices, and led teams to State, Regional, and Invitational medals.
Beyond STEM,
of The Hoofprint, guiding an award‑winning staff recognized by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association, and JEA/NSPA Best of Show. As President of the Environmental Care & Global Awareness Club and the lead student applicant for Walnut High School’s California Green Ribbon Schools application, her environmental leadership helped the school earn the California Green Ribbon School Silver Award through a comprehensive sustainability initiative involving composting, drought‑tolerant landscaping, and transitioning campus equipment from gas to electric. A Girl Scouts Gold, Silver, and Bronze Award recipient, she has supported underserved families through community projects, volunteered as an SAT math tutor, and earned the Presidential Volunteer Service Award (Gold, 3x) and the Congressional Bronze Medal. She plans to pursue neuroscience, writing in her personal statement that scientific progress “is not just the study of the brain; it is a commitment to understanding people.” Elise is one of TWO scholars selected in a follow on competition receiving an additional $1,500 scholarship from the United States Jaycee Senate Foundation!
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Annalia Henderson is an award‑winning environmental researcher whose analysis of a twenty‑year study of the Ballona Wetlands Filtration Capacity—described in her packet as “the longest study to date”—was presented at the National Stormwater Conference, where she was the only high school presenter. Her work is under professional peer review in Wetlands Ecology & Management and has earned major distinctions including the Marilyn Jorgensen Reece Award, Stockholm Junior Water Prize Regional Winner, and multiple first‑place science fair honors. She extends her impact through civic leadership as the sole Palos Verdes High representative on Congressman Ted Lieu’s Youth Advisory Council and through district‑level sustainability initiatives.
A principal cellist and student conductor, Annalia has performed twice at Carnegie Hall and founded Musical Connections, a volunteer ensemble that brings music to hospitals and senior homes. She also leads engineering innovation as creator of a wireless orchestral light system recognized with the U.S. Air Force Award at the 2025 Palos Verdes Peninsula Science Fair. Her community commitment spans Girl Scouts, hospital service, and a Guinness World Record achievement. Annalia achieved a 4.93 GPA. She plans to major in Environmental Engineering, writing in her personal statement: “As the Ballona Wetlands grows tired, I spring into action.” Annalia received an additional $2,000 named scholarship in a follow on competition from the United States Jaycee Senate Foundation!
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Briana Bonfiglio is an accomplished student leader, scholar, and community advocate whose four years in Associated Student Body (ASB) have shaped campus culture at Golden Valley High School. With more than 1,000 hours of service, she has held roles including Executive Vice President, Outreach Team Captain, Class President, and CLORG Liaison, where she supported 100+ clubs, coordinated major schoolwide events, and strengthened inclusion through multicultural programming. She has represented her school at district board meetings, speaking on issues such as teacher pay, student wellness, and campus safety, and served as President of the William S. Hart School District Student Communication Council, advocating for equitable resources and improved conditions across 20 schools. Brianna is also a top scholar—ranked 1st in her class with a 4.0 unweighted GPA and a 4.67 weighted GPA—earning AP Scholar with Distinction, National Merit Commended Scholar, and multiple academic awards.
Brianna’s community involvement reflects her commitment to service and opportunity creation. She founded Opportunity Knocks, a weekly newsletter connecting students with internships, scholarships, and enrichment programs, resulting in several classmates earning awards and opportunities they otherwise might have missed. She has completed nearly 500 hours of volunteer service, including a 200‑hour hospital assignment, a legislative internship with California Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, and leadership roles in Assisteens supporting foster youth, low‑income students, and developmentally disabled adults. Brianna has also coached youth volleyball, served as a peer tutor since freshman year, and represented her community at the United Nations International Youth Conference and Los Angeles World Affairs Council events. She plans to study International Business at North Carolina State University and later pursue a JD to become a lawyer working at the intersection of business, policy, and global affairs.
Zoey Brashier is an exceptional student, community leader, and lifelong member of the Deaf community whose experiences have uniquely prepared her for a career in ASL–English Interpretation. A Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), she has been immersed in Deaf culture since infancy and is widely recognized for being a clear, accurate, and highly expressive signer. At Bella Vista High School, Zoey maintains a 4.407 GPA while completing AP, Honors, and dual‑enrollment coursework, including a 4.0 GPA at American River College. She serves as a Link Crew Commissioner, planning schoolwide events that support freshmen, and has been a three‑year captain of the women’s volleyball team, earning multiple Bronco Awards for leadership, coachability, and work ethic. Zoey is also active in service‑oriented clubs, including Key Club and Cranes4Change, where she folded more than 1,000 origami cranes for children’s hospitals and led workshops for younger students.
Zoey’s vocational readiness is demonstrated through extensive hands‑on experience. She tutors students in American Sign Language, volunteers at Deaf Awareness Day at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, and assists with event coordination, scheduling, and community outreach for Deaf‑centered activities. She also works for Brasier Interpreting and Consulting Inc., supporting invoice drafting, reconciliation, and transcription — giving her early exposure to the expectations and ethics of the interpreting field. Her additional work as a volleyball referee, student intern in K–6 classrooms, and regular babysitter reflects her reliability, communication skills, and ability to support diverse groups of children and families. Zoey plans to attend the Rochester Institute of Technology, majoring in American Sign Language–English Interpretation, with the goal of becoming a certified interpreter serving the Deaf community she calls home.
Peyton Edburg is a scholar, public policy leader, and community advocate whose academic excellence and civic engagement have earned statewide and national recognition. A National Merit Commended Scholar and AP Scholar with Distinction, she maintains a rigorous academic schedule as an International Baccalaureate candidate while contributing articles as a student columnist for Laguna Hills Living magazine. Peyton’s leadership in Model United Nations is exceptional: she has served as Secretariat member, Head Chair, and Secretary-General of Novice Training, designing curriculum for 30+ new delegates and earning multiple awards for research, diplomacy, and public speaking at conferences including Berkeley and Trabuco. She was also selected as the sole delegate from her high school to attend California Girls State, where she was elected Justice of the Supreme Court, worked with a practicing attorney on a First Amendment case, and was named Outstanding Citizen and Girls Nation Second Alternate.
Peyton’s community involvement reflects her commitment to service, youth empowerment, and public policy. As Vice President of Programs for the National Charity League, she planned educational programming, led service initiatives, and earned the Heart of Gold Award for completing 75+ hours with a single philanthropy. She has served as Lead Coach at GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center, guiding fitness and social skills programs for teens with disabilities, and as Host of two American Red Cross blood drives that exceeded donation goals by 150%. Peyton also serves as Jury Foreperson for the Superior Court’s Peer Court program, applying restorative justice principles in real juvenile cases. A multi‑sport varsity athlete in soccer, track, and cross‑country, she balances academics, leadership, and service with discipline and integrity. Peyton hopes to study Public Policy at Cornell University, aspiring to a career in law and legislative advocacy.
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Zachary Shen is a STEM scholar and student leader whose academic and extracurricular record reflects exceptional analytical ability, initiative, and service. A top mathematics student at PVHS, he earned the highest marks in both Precalculus Honors and AP Calculus BC, where teachers described his work as “unique, intuitive, and beyond anything seen in decades.” He extends this strength into applied research, leading a machine‑learning project that achieved over 72% directional accuracy in stock‑price prediction. As Business Lead for the Palos Verdes Institute of Technology’s First Robotics Competition team, Zachary helped guide the program to its first‑ever world championship appearance while managing a $40,000 budget, creating operational systems, and securing more than $15,000 in sponsorships.
Zachary’s leadership is equally distinguished in service organizations. As President of Be The Change, he oversees a 50‑student leadership class responsible for major schoolwide culture initiatives, including a Blood Cancer United Community Walk that raised over $30,000. Through the National League of Young Men, he has completed more than 270 hours of service and earned the prestigious Helmsman Award for exemplary leadership and character. His community impact extends internationally through RBI HIT, where he helped collect 1,284 pieces of baseball equipment and raise over $12,000 to support youth in the Dominican Republic. He plans to major in Applied & Computational Mathematics or Economics at the University of Chicago, writing in his personal statement: “I hope to use quantitative analysis to power smarter decision‑making, bringing the principles of Moneyball to new frontiers.”
Hannah Terzian is a customer‑focused, and highly responsible student whose real‑world experience and strong work ethic have prepared her well for a career in cosmetology and future salon ownership. A committed member of FFA, she has competed in multiple speaking events, managed a bovine breeding Supervised Agricultural Experience, and earned top honors showing livestock — including 1st place in showmanship and 2nd place in market at the McArthur Fair. Hannah is also active in school arts and activities, contributing to a student‑designed community art magazine, performing in drama productions, and earning multiple academic achievement awards in Agriculture Science, Spanish, and U.S. History. Her leadership extends to Rotary Interact, where she participates in service projects that support local families, churches, and community events.
Hannah’s preparation for a vocational career is shaped by years of real‑world responsibility and hands‑on work. As a livestock manager for her family’s Minarets Pack Station, she has spent years working long hours in demanding outdoor conditions, caring for animals, supporting backcountry trips, and managing responsibilities far beyond those typical for a high school student. She has completed more than 250 hours of community service, including youth art instruction, elementary literacy support, and agricultural event volunteering. Hannah was also selected to attend California Girls State, where she gained insight into leadership, civic engagement, and the democratic process. She plans to pursue an Associate’s Degree in Cosmetology at Butte Community College, with the long‑term goal of opening her own salon and later earning a bachelor’s degree in International Business to expand her entrepreneurial opportunities.
Tanvi Thallapalle is an exceptional STEM scholar, researcher, and student leader whose academic achievements and scientific innovation have earned regional and national recognition. Ranked #1 in her class of 584 with achieving a 4.5 overall GPA, she is a published researcher in the Journal of Student Research and a two‑time 1st Place Chemistry winner at the Kern County Science Fair, also earning honors from the American Chemistry Society, Society of Petroleum Engineers, and the Stockholm Junior Water Regional Prize. Her original research — including converting produced water into clean energy and developing eco‑friendly oil‑spill absorbents — demonstrates university‑level scientific thinking and a commitment to solving real‑world environmental challenges. Tanvi is also a decorated Academic Decathlon competitor, Kern Region Forensic League debate champion, AP Scholar with Distinction, and a leader in multiple academic organizations including NHS, CSF, and Mustang Musings, where she served as editor, writer, and photographer.
Tanvi’s community involvement reflects her dedication to public service, youth empowerment, and health advocacy. As a Bakersfield Youth Commissioner, she helped launch civic programs and expanded internship pathways through a mayoral grant initiative. She has logged more than 250 volunteer hours annually, earning the Presidential Volunteer Service Award Gold and the Congressional Award Gold Medal. Tanvi teaches public speaking as President of the Reach for the Stars Gavel Club, mentors middle school students in math competitions, and supports literacy and academic confidence through her work at the Kern County Library. Her clinical experiences — including internships in vision therapy, pediatric cardiology, and mental health research — reflect her commitment to compassionate, community‑centered healthcare. Tanvi plans to major in Biology at Baylor University, aspiring to become a physician who blends scientific innovation with service to improve health outcomes in underserved communities.
Ansh Vinchhi . is a significant scholar, STEM leader, and student‑athlete whose academic excellence and passion for aerospace have distinguished him as one of Ernest Righetti High School’s top students. Ranked #1 in his class of more than 600 with an overall 4.65 GPA, he has excelled in rigorous AP and honors coursework while pursuing advanced engineering research. As an intern in the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Aerospace Engineering Lab, Ansh designed and modeled a reaction wheel for a Spacecraft Attitude Control Simulator, work that culminated in a 25‑page research paper on mass optimization for space systems. His academic achievements are complemented by leadership roles in the classroom and beyond, including serving as ASB Class President, National Honor Society committee chair, and founder of the Youth Engineering Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching STEM concepts to underprivileged children through hands‑on experiments.
Ansh’s commitment to service and leadership is equally impressive. A dedicated Eagle Scout, he led major service projects—including constructing a bench and renovating rooms at a local senior center—and served as Senior Patrol Leader, guiding younger Scouts and promoting safety and inclusion. He has completed more than 250 hours of community service, including working as President of Interact Club, Astra Club, and as a Camp Whittier Outdoor School counselor. Ansh was selected as a California Boys State Delegate, where he was elected County Public Defender and passed the program’s bar exam. A two‑sport varsity athlete in Track & Field and Cross Country, he served as team captain for both teams and competed in multiple CIF championships, also running several Top 5 all-time school marks. Ansh plans to study Astrophysics at the University of California, Berkeley, aspiring to contribute to the future of space exploration through research, innovation, and public engagement
Jerry Yang is already a recognized civic leader and academic standout whose work has shaped youth policy across Los Angeles. As the elected LAUSD Student Board Member representing 500,000+ students, he passed resolutions on civic engagement, financial literacy, suicide awareness, and child welfare, launching the Dream It Achieve It Initiative, expanding internships, dual enrollment, and 19 new CTE pathways. At North Hollywood High School, Jerry serves as ASB President, where he led major schoolwide events, redesigned leadership selection to reduce bias, and oversaw a 60% increase in student clubs. He also chaired the School Site Council, helping allocate more than $4 million in Title I and TSP funds to improve academic outcomes, safety, and student engagement.
Jerry’s community impact spans local, national, and global platforms. As President of the Los Angeles City Youth Council, he represented 1.1 million youth, authored the city’s youth‑centered budget recommendations, and helped open 14 Youth Centers in under-resourced areas. He has presented at COP28, the Nobel Prize Summit, and Smithsonian events as a Global Youth Liaison for NESST, mentoring students across multiple countries. His achievements have earned national recognition, including Coca‑Cola Scholars Finalist, U.S. Senate Youth Program California Alternate, Bill of Rights Institute Fellow, and multiple national awards in speech, debate, STEM, and writing. He plans to study Government at Harvard University.
Name Witheld to Protect Student
This scholarship recipient is an exceptional STEM scholar, researcher, and student leader whose accomplishments span biotechnology, artificial intelligence, engineering, and public service. The student is a 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search Top 300 Scholar, recognized nationally for biomedical and AI‑driven research, and a 2026 NCWIT Aspirations in Computing National Winner (Top 40 of 2,700+ applicants). The student has conducted advanced research at UC Irvine’s Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, NYU’s Biomechatronics & Intelligent Robotics Lab, and UCSF’s AI4ALL program, producing work presented at ARVO, the MIT IEEE URTC Conference, and national symposia. They are also a Yale Young Global Scholar Spotlight Speaker (Top 12 of 600), a two‑time VEX Robotics State Qualifier, a USA Biology Olympiad Semifinalist, and a national finalist in the Intel AI Global Impact Festival. Their achievements reflect university‑level scientific rigor and a deep commitment to innovation in biotechnology and AI for health. The student’s leadership and community impact extend far beyond the lab. As President of InterSTEM, they launched culturally responsive STEM mentorship programs, secured grant funding, and guided more than 120 students through research and project‑based learning. This student is an Eagle Scout, serving as Senior Patrol Leader and Venturing Crew President while mentoring 100+ youth statewide through National Youth Leadership Training. Their civic engagement includes serving as a Class Representative on the City of Irvine Youth Action Team, leading environmental justice initiatives through OCEJ, and earning multiple President’s Volunteer Service Awards. A three‑year Varsity Lacrosse MVP and team captain, this student balances academics, athletics, and service with exceptional discipline and integrity. They plan to study Biotechnology at Yale University, aspiring to a career at the intersection of biomedical research, AI innovation, and public health.