The 2023 Oceans of Opportunity Breaks Fundraising Record

Thanks to the support of our sponsors and more than 300 guests, we raised half a million dollars at the Oceans of Opportunity Awards and Scholarship Celebration on April 27 at the Museum of Latin American Art! Your generosity helped us exceed our goal and Marathon broke our fundraising record with a generous pledge of $70,000. Together we can keep more than 8,200 students in 13 EXP-supported high schools on track to college and career success.

Hosted one last time by our CEO Amy Grat with the help of alum Dalia Palsson ’03, the 23rd annual awards and scholarship celebration honored the dedication of our volunteers like our Bill Stein Memorial Leadership Award Pat Wilson of Fast Lane Transportation and our partners like our Keeper of the Flame Award honoree Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA). We also saluted the achievements of our 27 scholarship recipients and the Carol Rowen 180 Degree Award honoree, America Jasso from San Pedro High School.

Our student performance brought their A-game to the celebration, kicking off with fanfare from the Carson High School Marching Blue Thunder. Scholarship recipients Ajay Araquel and Felix Suavillo from Carson High School provided a smooth serenade during dinner. Zamara Hill from Manuel Dominguez High School pepped up the party later on with an energetic majorette dance performance.   

The award program also featured EXP alums whose lives were impacted by EXP. EXP Board Member and the 2019 Rising Alumni Award honoree Victor Ibarra ’11 presented our board member and immediate past board chair Pat Wilson with his award. Pat’s commitment to volunteering, both in the classroom and in the board room, ensures youth in our community reach their full potential. 

We were also proud to honor our partner ACTA for its steadfast support of our mission and programs, including continuously serving as an internship host since 2001. It was fitting to have ACTA’s very first EXP intern Eva Fluker ’02 present the award to ACTA CEO Mike Leue.

“I have seen the effectiveness of the Internship Program first-hand with exceptional preparedness exhibited by the participants,” said Mike. “You all play a vital role in the success of EXP. Your support changes lives.”

In sharing her transformational journey from a shy student to a leader of her peers, America mentioned a quote she heard recently that captured her experience with EXP programs: Shyness is like a mountain, that once you get over you realize was just a speed bump.

“EXP workshops have equipped me to climb this mountain,” said America. “Thank you, EXP and EXP supporters! It is my hope that you continue this legacy of helping students climb their mountains so they can move past the speed bumps and see the vastness of the oceans of opportunities in front of them.” 

Thank you for your support of our mission and programs!

2023 Scholarship Recipients

EXP Scholars

  • Emma Feth, Carson High School, Global Business, Law, and Government

  • James MacPherson, Intellectual Virtues Academy

  • Darien Rodrigo, Carson High School, Environmental Science, Engineering, and Technology

  • Leonardo Salazar, Carson High School, Performing Arts and Media Arts

Christopher Gutierrez Memorial Scholars

  • Ajay Araquel, Carson High School, Environmental Science, Engineering, and Technology

  • Zamaria Hill, Manuel Dominguez High School, Culinary CTE

  • Eric Olvera, Rancho Dominguez Preparatory School, STEAM Academy

  • Felix Suavillo, Carson High School, Environmental Science, Engineering, and Technology

  • Ronaldo Titla, Gardena High School

Darwin and Barbara Patterson Memorial Scholars

  • Josh Arcenal, Carson High School, Environmental Science, Engineering, and Technology

  • Crystal Dyea, Barstow College / Barstow High School ’22, STEAM Academy

  • Ansel Flores, Carson High School, Environmental Science, Engineering, and Technology

  • Steven Hernandez, Carson High School

  • Ryan Ramirez, Barstow High School, STEAM Academy

Frank Herrera Memorial Scholars

  • Willie Alvarez, CSU Long Beach / Phineas Banning High School ’20, Pilot Academy of Technology and Health Science

  • Norma Olvera Gallardo, CSU Northridge, Master of Public Administration / Phineas Banning High School ’13, International Trade Academy

Frank Whipple Scholars

  • Toni Alvarez, CSU Maritime Academy / Phineas Banning High School ’19, International Trade Academy

  • Maria Barrozo, Carson High School, Global Business, Law, and Government

Julia T. Nagano Memorial Scholar

  • Frances Suavillo, Stanford / Carson High School ’20, Global Business, Law, and Government

Los Angeles Air Cargo Association Scholar

  • Laura Viera, San Pedro High School

Marilyn Roth Memorial Scholars

  • Madysen McDonald, Barstow High School, STEAM Academy

  • Jocelyn Soto, Biola University / Barstow HS ’20, STEAM Academy

Pearl Mercado Memorial Scholars

  • Shaelynn Cruz, San Pedro High School

  • Morgan McDonald, Barstow High School, Mojave Express Logistics Academy

Prologis Scholar

  • Kemberly Valenzuela, Barstow College, Barstow HS ’22, Mojave Express Logistics Academy

Valero Community Service Scholar

  • Chelsea Mendoza, Phineas Banning High School, International Trade Academy

Thank you, Sponsors!

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Events, GeneralOakley BorenOceans of Opportunity, Fundraising, Fundraiser, Alumni, Students, Scholarships, Awards, Carol Rowen 180 Degree Award, Keeper of the Flame, Bill Stein Memorial Leadership Award