Class of 2019
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Phillip BarberHometown: Bellevue, Washington Phillip Barber is the senior class treasurer, Spanish Club president, and a valedictorian of the class of 2015 at Bishop Blanchet High School in Seattle. Phillip says that being a leader is an important goal of his and he strives to make an impact on the world around him. He started a neighborhood sports camp in 2009 and enjoys volunteering at Kiwanis Camp Casey, a summer camp for children who have physical disabilities. Phillip says that the most appealing aspect of the Santa Clara University vision is the education of leaders. He hopes to parlay his leadership skills and get involved in programs at SCU like the California Program for Entrepreneurship. |
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Andrew DescourouezHometown: Los Altos, California Andrew Descourouez has had multiple leadership roles in high school, including serving as student body president of Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose and on the youth advisory committee of Free the Children, with whom he traveled to Kenya and China. He is the founder of Bellarmine’s Free the Children Club, working to inspire others to make a difference in the world. Andrew has a passion for social justice and says that education driven by values and vision makes him feel like he’s part of something bigger than himself. |
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Liah D'saHometown: Gilbert, Arizona Liah D’sa exemplified strength, fortitude, scholarship, and purpose throughout her high school career at Chandler Preparatory Academy in Chandler, Ariz. She was forced to give up traditional school days during her sophomore and junior years to overcome a major medical hurdle but still managed to outperform her peers through a home study program. She has an unparalleled level of self-motivation, discipline, and maturity beyond her years that have driven her to excel in her studies. She likens youth to clay that needs to be molded and says she looks forward to being shaped by the Jesuit experience at SCU. |
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Rachel GoldsteinHometown: San Francisco, California Rachel Goldstein embodies strength in leadership and speaks up for what she believes in. A senior at Lowell High School in San Francisco, she is a member of the leadership team at the California Academy of Sciences, where she has volunteered hundreds of hours to bring science to the community in innovative and engaging ways. Rachel plays for her school's league-winning varsity tennis team and founded the tennis club at Lowell to provide a space for students to learn to play the sport. She is passionate about her Spanish studies because it allows her to connect to a wide variety of people. She has participated in an immersion program in Spain and is recognized for her service as a member of the Spanish Honors Society, where she helped to raise money for Casa de Las Madres and a disaster relief program. |
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Varsha KalavarHometown: Portland, Oregon Varsha Kalavar is on the swim team at Jesuit High School in Portland, a teacher at the Anjali School of Indian Dance, and a Girl Scout Gold Award winner. She has done research at Oregon Health and Science University and was deemed the head student lab researcher at the hematology and oncology labs. Varsha received the Girl Scout Gold Award for her work on getting laptops to a rural school in India where students had never seen, let alone used, such devices. She also helped raise $3,000 for another rural Indian school. Varsha believes attending Santa Clara University will help her achieve her goal of helping grant the gift of education to children all over the world. She is interested in building sustainable solutions to the world’s problems. |
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Maria Khouri-HaddadHometown: Los Altos, California Maria Khouri-Haddad is the president of the Foreign Language Honor Society, an Associated Student Body leader, and founder of the Glee Club at Saint Francis High School in Mountain View. Maria is a dual citizen of the United States and Lebanon and is fluent in four languages. She is strongly inspired by her family’s roots in Lebanon and the warmth and support of the culture. Maria hopes to bring that same welcoming spirit to SCU and looks forward to developing close friendships and ties at Santa Clara University. |
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Eoin LyonsHometown: San Francisco, California Eoin Lyons is student body president at Saint Ignatius College Prep in San Francisco. He believes that education can be attained in and out of the classroom and uses all of his life experiences as an opportunity to learn. He was recently invited to go to Uganda on an immersion trip with his school, where he was inspired by the people he met — people whose worlds had been turned upside down by war and who had so little materially but who exemplified so much love and selflessness. Eoin believes a Santa Clara University education will help him have the conscience and compassion to become a force of positive change in the world. Eoin is a Santa Clara LEAD Scholar. The LEAD Scholars Program is a four-year program for first-generation college students focused on academics, community engagement, and service. |
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Cooper ScherrHometown: San Juan Bautista, California Cooper Scherr is a highly motivated student striving for excellence in all things. He is a National Merit Scholar, CIF Central Coast Section Scholar Athlete, National Honor Society President and Valedictorian of St. Francis High School's Class of 2015. He has been a member of his school's Animas Leadership Team throughout his high school career, designing and leading student retreats, events and liturgies. He was a senior co-captain of the St. Francis Men's Varsity Basketball team and was founder of the chess and hacky sack clubs. Cooper also devotes his time to musical theater, and church and community service. Cooper participated in the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine and is inspired to empower people through a career as a physician, like his father. He was first introduced to Santa Clara University through his middle school basketball coach, a former Bronco. Cooper says Santa Clara's mission to mold competent, conscientious and compassionate leaders attracts him. |
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Vanessa ShinHometown: Honolulu, Hawaii Vanessa Shin was a co-valedictorian in her class at Iolani School in Honolulu and was recognized as Top Student in biology, U.S. government, and calculus in her senior year. She was a captain on her school’s Science Olympiad team, was honored as Most Valuable Team Member, and competed in the Science Olympiad national tournament. In high school, Vanessa played varsity tennis, was a co-chair for her school’s annual fair, and enjoyed tutoring students. She also led many community service clubs and utilized her photography to promote the annual Oncology on Canvas event held on Oahu. Vanessa obtained her Girl Scout Gold Award by working with children to build environmental sustainability awareness and to educate them on the benefits of composting. Vanessa believes having a college education is a privilege, and she wants to use what she learns and pass it on to others with compassion. |
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Jon TuttleHometown: Minot, Maine Jon Tuttle is a student who values unity in diversity. Born on a Navajo reservation and now spending time with students from all over the world at Hebron Academy in Hebron, Maine, Jon has seen how much people have in common despite their different backgrounds. One of his main goals after attending Santa Clara University is to join the Peace Corps and to serve the world around him. Jon’s interest in SCU peaked after he learned about the global outlook in study abroad programs, its Ignatian immersions, and its dedication to service. |