Uni’s Liu, Estancia’s Cerros win $10K Toshiba Classic scholarships
Kelsey Liu said she didn’t realize that she and Erik Cerros were about to be surprised on Feb. 26.
They were among 12 seniors vying for two $10,000 scholarships issued by the Toshiba Classic. Liu of University High said she was told that she would need to stay after a meeting, along with Cerros of Estancia because their photo headshots supposedly needed to be re-shot.
“I was just thinking: I guess I’m not photogenic,” Liu said with a giggle.
Turns out Liu and Cerros were told they were the winners of the scholarships.
The two were honored during the annual Toshiba Classic Breakfast with a Champion Tuesday morning at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa. Both have yet to choose their college.
“It was amazing,” said Cerros, who plays on the boys’ tennis team at Estancia. “I never thought in a million years I would get a scholarship like this. It seems like a dream.”
Cerros, who carries a 4.4 grade-point average, said he wants to study bio-engineering. For the past year, he has been in a bio-engineering internship at UC Irvine.
Liu enjoys writing as a hobby. Her passion is medicine and therapy. She has logged several hours of volunteer work for United Cerebral Palsy. Her sister Selena has CP.
Liu, who carries a 4.48 GPA, also works with children with special needs and performs arts and crafts with them.
Liu and Cerros were among 24 semifinalists selected by their high schools. Then they made the final 12, all of whom each received a Toshiba laptop computer.
The 12 finalists also included: Ryan Sabouni (Corona del Mar); Quan Nguyen (Costa Mesa); Jacob Fast (El Toro); Mai Gattenyo (Irvine); Roohi Kumar (Laguna Hills); Luzanne Batoon (Mission Viejo); Brian Morales (Newport Harbor); Michael Chang (Northwood); Brianna Parish (Trabuco Hills); Khulood Faruqui (Woodbridge).
The Toshiba Classic takes place this week at Newport Beach Country Club with pro-am events Wednesday and Thursday, and tournament play Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Twitter: @SteveVirgen