LACOE's Migrant Education Program Awards Scholarships to 11 High School Graduates
Thu Jun 26 15:51:00 PDT 2025
Eleven L.A. County high school graduates from the Migrant Education Program earned college scholarships, proving that targeted support can help education's most mobile population succeed.
On June 17, the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) celebrated 11 high school graduates from its Migrant Education Program (MEP 10) with $800 scholarships. The awards recognize students who overcame the unique challenges of changing schools while pursuing their education.
Dr. Mirna Miranda-Welsh, MEP Project Director III, opened the ceremony with welcome remarks, followed by addresses from Chief Academic Officer Ruben Valles and Director Astrid Gallon Gonzalez.
Keynote speaker Karen Covarrubias, a former Migrant Education student who now serves as Executive Assistant for the Vice President of Workforce & Economic Development at Long Beach City College, shared her journey with the graduates.
Parent speaker Fernando Salazar, who arrived from Mexico City in 2012 and completed two associate degrees while raising his family, encouraged students to persevere "step by step" toward their goals.
The scholarship recipients will attend institutions ranging from community colleges to USC and UC Irvine, pursuing fields from aerospace engineering to nursing.
MEP 10 Scholarship recipients by district include:
- ABC USD: Henry Choc, Daniel Ramos
- Antelope Valley UHSD: Sarita Esteban, Andrea Olmedo
- Long Beach USD: Kevin Perez
- Los Angeles USD: Fernanda Carrera Arenas, Sean Cervantes
- Lynwood USD: Efrain Jimenez, Ayleen Sandoval-Ramirez
- Norwalk-La Mirada USD: Andrew Alcala, Jimmy Arellano
"It is an honor to recognize the hard work, resilience, and determination of our Migrant Education students," said Dr. Miranda-Welsh. "These scholarships represent more than academic achievement. They are a testament to the strength of our students and their families."
Community members can support the scholarship recipients’ college pursuits through online donations by selecting "Other" and writing in "Migrant Education". Donate by clicking here.
The LACOE Migrant Education Program supports 17 districts serving more than 5,700 students across Los Angeles County. To learn more, visit LACOE’s Migrant Education Program here.
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