2025 Scholars
The 2025 Newport Beach Foundation Scholars are:
Corona Del Mar High School
Camille Tauro
Camille is an incredibly well-rounded super star. She is going to study chemistry and biology at Harvey Mudd and will eventually pursue a PhD in Cheminformatics which is evaluating the side effects of drugs on individual patients to be able to prescribe medications on a more individual level. She also wrestles and sings in a performing group. She uses her musical talent to help special needs kids.
Nil Kantaroglu
First generation American college bound student. She reignited the Human Relations Committee at school, and has been able to achieve academic and professional success largely on her own. Last summer she lost her mother to cancer and her father is back and forth to Turkey. Nil wants to major in political science and pre-law and attend law school in the future.
Newport Harbor High School
Brooke Leonard
Brooke wants to pursue a degree in marketing. She was inspired after interning with local businesses such as The Tiny Tooth Company and Grit Cycle. Brooke currently dances on the varsity dance team. Brooke has a strong commitment to service to others. She teaches bi monthly free dance classes to special needs kids. She leads the Miracles for Kids on campus group. is a member of DECA and Link Crew.
John "Jack" O'Brien
Jack has an interest in civic service as well as service to his community. He was elected as class President his sophomore, junior, and senior year of high school. He has participated in the Mayor's Youth Council, is active in League of Youngmen and countless other volunteer organizations. Jack plays on the varsity volleyball team. For the past two summers he has served as a camp counselor to special needs kids.
2024 Scholars
The 2024 Newport Beach Foundation Scholars are:
- Piper Blackband , Corona Del Mar High School
- Dillon Lane, Corona Del Mar High School
- Emma LeSieur, Newport Harbor High School
- Georgia Sinacori, Newport Harbor High School
2023 Scholars
The 2023 Newport Beach Foundation Scholars are:
- Alexandra Law, Corona Del Mar High School
- Luca Fasulo, Corona Del Mar High School
- Gia Ancone, Newport Harbor High School
““The Distinguished Citizen Program gave me a behind-the-scenes look at how the city operates and introduced me to incredible speakers and local organizations I never knew about. The networking opportunities were invaluable, and the program truly broadened my understanding of our community.””
2022 Scholars
The 2022 Newport Beach Foundation Scholars are:
- Kate Gregory, Newport Harbor High School
- Mason Hunt, Newport Harbor High School
- Alex Sunday, Corona Del Mar High School
- Kate Kittleson, Corona Del Mar High School
Newport Beach Foundation Scholarship
In furtherance of its commitment to engage and grow the next generation of local leaders, the Newport Beach Foundation is proud to launch its college scholarship. The scholarship is currently available to Newport Beach high school seniors that embody the attributes of leadership, service, and integrity. In the Fall of each year, beginning in 2020, the Foundation will select two (2) students to receive a $2,500 scholarship. The awardees will also receive a coveted spot in the following Spring's Distinguished Citizen Program. Completion of the Distinguished Citizen Program is a condition to receiving the monetary award. For more information on the eligibility requirements please review the application.
If you or someone you know is interested in donating to the scholarship, please contact Antonella Castro via email at acastrorelaw@gmail.com.
If you are interested in making a donation towards the Newport Beach Foundation Scholarship program, please click below. This program would not be possible without the generous support from people like you!
Scholarship Program Launch & First Class of Scholars
The Newport Beach Foundation, a non-profit focused on igniting the next generation of leaders, today announced the first class of scholars for its recently launched Scholarship Program.
Funded by its board members and other community leaders, the scholarships were awarded to graduating seniors from Corona Del Mar High School and Newport Harbor High School. These individuals demonstrate leadership, commitment to improving the Newport Beach community, and have an interest in returning to Newport Beach after their next phase to share their talents. "I see the scholarship as a way to highlight and support those students who are extraordinary and who we, as a community, want and need to remain in Newport Beach as a way to ensure Newport Beach continues to be a leader in business, civics, and innovation, and not just a vacation destination," said Antonella Castro, Vice-Chair of the Newport Beach Foundation.
Despite the challenges brought on in 2020, the program received 50 quality applications, and the Foundation awarded four scholarships as opposed to the initially planned two. The scholarships were broken down to two $2,500 recipients and two $1,000 recipients. Awardees must attend the Spring class session of the Distinguished Citizens Program (DCP). Their participation in the DCP grants them personal access to the City of Newport Beach's civic and business leaders. Following the completion of the Spring class, Mayor Brad Avery will present a certificate of completion and a pin, and the Newport Beach Foundation Scholars will receive their monetary award.
The inaugural class of Newport Beach Foundation Scholars is:
- Ryan Bartz, Corona Del Mar Highschool
- Tara Zadeh, Corona Del Mar Highschool
- Miles Marquez, Newport Harbor High school
- Annie Somers, Newport Harbor Highschool
