Announcing our Carol Rowen 180 Degree Award Honoree and Scholarship Recipients
We’re proud to introduce Samuel Covarrubias of Lawndale High School as the 2026 recipient of the Carol Rowen 180 Degree Student Award. Named after our founder, Carol Rowen, this honor is given to a graduating senior whose journey reflects meaningful growth and transformation through EXP.
Samuel’s path is a powerful example of what’s possible when new opportunities open doors. While he once envisioned a future in marine science, everything changed after hearing from Captain Kip Loutitt of the Marine Exchange of Southern California. That introduction sparked a new interest in maritime careers, leading Samuel to earn a summer EXP internship with Captain Kip. The experience reshaped his goals from marine science to maritime careers, starting with his attendance at Cal Poly Maritime Academy this fall.
2026 Carol Rowen 180 Degree Student Award Samuel Covarrubias with his parents at the Marine Exchange of Southern California.
Scholarship Recipients
EXP Scholarships
Minseo Choi, Beckman High School
Jozari Gilbert, Gardena High School
Cindy Rodriguez, Phineas Banning High School
Jamaal Willis, Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China (Barstow HS ‘21)
Julia T. Nagano Memorial Scholarship
Makena Hassel, Barstow High School
Pearl Mercado Memorial Scholarship
Nilyn Phillips, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (Rancho Dominguez Preparatory School ‘24)
Pearl Mercado Memorial Scholarship in honor of Iris Ruiz
Isabella Flores, Phineas Banning High School
Christopher Gutierrez Memorial Scholarships
Jazmin Aceituno Valdivia, Phineas Banning High School
Gabriela Lopez-Perez, Phineas Banning High School
Containerization & Intermodal Institute Peter Tirschwell Scholarship
Romeo Clay, Cal Poly Maritime Academy (Phineas Banning HS ‘24)
Containerization & Intermodal Institute Scholarships
Kailani Kainoa-Rivas, UCLA (Cabrillo HS ‘23)
Yasmin Lopez, Phineas Banning High School
Los Angeles Air Cargo Association Scholarship
Sairi Raj, Sato Academy of Math and Science
Pacific Harbor Line Scholarship
Dulce Calderon, Carson High School
Timothy Jakob Taylor Memorial Scholarship
Saniya Boswell, Barstow High School
WTS-Los Angeles Scholarship
Farishta Islam, Legacy Magnet Academy
We hope you’ll join us to hear Samuel share his story in his own words and celebrate all of our remarkable scholarship recipients at the Oceans of Opportunity Awards and Scholarship Celebration on Thursday, April 30, at Hotel Maya!