The Crowd: Scholarship winners feted at Balboa Bay Club
The American Dream was alive, well and in full display recently as the 2022 Balboa Bay 1221 Club Scholarships were presented to 24 graduating seniors from Newport-Mesa high schools.
Grants were bestowed upon a curated selection of applicants nominated by high school counselors from Newport Harbor, Corona del Mar, Costa Mesa and Estancia high schools. The nominees were then extensively interviewed by a panel of professional and dedicated Balboa Bay Club judges led by chairman of the BBC Board John Wortmann. A large field of applicants, all with exceptional credentials and impressive academic records, were narrowed to the 24 award winners.
“The task was difficult, every student was exceptional,” said one of the panel of judges, Newport Beach philanthropist Catherine Thyen.
Wortmann, who also served as master of ceremonies for the scholarship presentation and dinner held May 31 in the grand ballroom of the Balboa Bay Resort, added, “The final selection came down to the impressions made during the personal interviews. We evaluated every aspect of each students profile including financial need, community service, athletic and academic performance and more, including less tangible factors such as perceived character , attitude and values expressed.”
The judging panel also included Devon Martin, Char Armstrong, Leticia Rice, Noel Hamilton, Heather Dickerson and Michelle Barto.
The evening celebration was produced under the direction of Rice, the club’s general manager, with executive staff members Aaron Trent and Melanie Hertrick. Scholarship winners and their families were invited to share in a cocktail and light dinner reception prior to the ceremony. Students, families and special guests joined members of a ladies auxiliary of the Balboa Bay Club called the 1221, named for the iconic Coast Highway address of the BBC. Funds raised come from the women of 1221, along with significant financial support from the Pickup-Martin family underwriting the annual grants.
A total of $124,000 was awarded this year. Since the inception of this scholarship program some two decades ago, $1.7 million has been granted to deserving youth pursuing higher education.
“I want to emphasize that these grants are not gifts, they are earned,” Wortmann said, as he introduced the scholarship winners. “Each of these graduates earned their award over years of focus, dedication, hard work and perseverance. The work has paid off. And it’s just the beginning.”
Applause rang out across the ballroom of some 200 guests including Kevin Muldoon, mayor of Newport Beach, joining Wortmann and Trent on stage reading a proclamation declaring the day as Balboa Bay 1221 Club Scholarship Day in the city. Also front and center were Newport-Mesa school board member Michelle Barto, distinguished local activist Mary Roosevelt, Balboa Bay Club ownership team including Dick Pickup, Todd and Natalie Pickup, Carole Pickup and Devon Martin with daughter Maddie Martin.
Each scholarship student was called to the dais to be recognized. Awards were announced in multiple categories relating to special emphasis on either academic achievement, athletic excellence or both.
Student acceptance speeches were humble and filled with gratitude for all the support received from family, teachers and the community. With each introduction, Wortmann recounted some of each student’s accomplishments. Impressive would not be an adequate description of goals achieved.
The 2022 Balboa Bay 1221 Scholars are listed in order of presentation by category.
1221 Scholars: Morgan Campbell, Tess Fox, Conrad Oliver, Jimena Ortega, Tara Schroeder, Lily Shandalove, Trent Ku, Paul Brich, Heba Hassan, Ly Duong, Aiden Spallone and Dylan Matian.
Governor’s Scholars: Jewel Rubright, Lorelei Hobbis, Emily Park and Jaime Herrera.
Balboa Bay Club Scholars: Eli Weiss, Fallon Rowerdink, Tyler Humphries and Alex Sunday.
Pinnacle Scholarships: Caroline Glessing, Maxwell Lane, Mason Hunt and Nathan Peters.
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