Newport Beach students win Irvine Co. honor

Mathis Winkler

NEWPORT BEACH -- Josh Ludmir’s not sure what he’ll do with the money.

College books or a computer would seem like an appropriate use for the

$6,000 he received as one of four finalists for the Irvine Co.’s Student

Leadership Awards, Ludmir said Tuesday.

But then there’s also Ludmir’s planned backpacking trip through Europe

this summer, before he heads off to Harvard University in the fall.

“I could take it from a low-budget trip to something a little more

decent,” the 18-year-old senior at Corona del Mar High School said,

adding that he won’t disappoint those who gave him the money.

“They’re trusting us to use it toward education, and I will,” he said.

“I’m not going to let the Irvine Co. down.”

Ludmir and high school seniors from the Newport-Mesa, Laguna Beach,

Irvine, Orange and Tustin unified school districts had originally applied

for a nomination by their schools.

Along with Ludmir, Newport Harbor High School senior Harmony D. Davis

was also honored as a finalist at the Pelican Hill Golf Club on Monday

night.

To make it past the first hurdle, students had to have a grade-point

average of at least 3.0 and be college-bound. All 28 nominees receive

$1,000, eight semifinalists get checks for another $2,000 and the four

finalists take home $3,000 more on top of that.

During the 15 years since it started the program, the Irvine Co. has

given $484,000 to 504 students.

The awards “identify and encourage future leaders who will make a real

difference in their communities,” said Mike McKee, the company’s vice

chairman, in a prepared statement. “These students are truly an

inspiration as their accomplishments are many and their aspirations are

noble.”

Each high school selected two students to enter the award process,

which involved submitting an essay, group discussions and interviews with

a panel of judges.

“Some were actual judges,” Ludmir said, adding that others

interviewing him included community members and company executives.

They quizzed him on his senior project, a Tolerance Day he put on at

his school, and asked him how he could expose a larger audience to the

issue, “how I would incorporate that in my agenda, were I to run for

public office,” Ludmir said.

Becoming a politician is one option he’s considering. As far as

college is concerned, he’s not sure yet whether to prepare for law or

medical school.

“I just want to be happy with what I do, that it involves helping

people,” he said. “And I want to be able to describe my job in less than

five words.”

Davis, 18, said she’ll begin college at Columbia University in a few

months and is thinking about majoring in international business.

Asked what advice she would give younger students interested in

applying for the awards, Davis said a passion to help others was crucial

to succeed.

“I think that the Irvine Co. likes to see really motivated, excited

students,” she said. “If students can look into themselves [and find out

what they care about], they’re in the right direction.”