Local Black Students Win Scholarships

Fountain Valley High School senior Latoya Sturge plans to study medicine at Stanford, Harvard, Yale or Johns Hopkins universities.

“Like every other idealistic teen-ager, my goal in life is to save the world,” Sturge said.

Sturge is one of three Orange County students who have won $2,000 National Achievement Scholarships, given to outstanding college-bound black students nationwide.

“It’s kind of an ego-booster,” said Sturge, who has a 4.13 grade-point average. “I’m thankful.”

Bethany Otuteye, a senior at Loara High School in Anaheim, and Stacy McClain, a senior at Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, were the other local scholarship winners.

More than 90,000 college-bound black students nationwide were considered for the 1993 scholarship program when they took the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, used for entry to the competition. The Illinois-based National Merit Scholarship Corp. co-sponsors the test and conducts the scholarship program.

About 1,200 students were chosen as finalists. Of those, about 800 students will win scholarships.

A total of about $3 million in scholarships will be awarded this year, supported by grants from more than 100 corporations, company foundations and professional associations, as well as the achievement program’s own funds.

About 400 students won the $2,000 scholarships. An additional 200 students received four-year corporate-sponsored scholarships that provide stipends ranging from $500 to $6,000 a year.

In addition, about 200 students will be awarded college-sponsored scholarships. Announcements of those will be made beginning in June. About 50 colleges and universities nationwide are financing those four-year scholarships for finalists who enroll at their institutions next fall.

Martha Vargas-Seagle, Santa Margarita Catholic High School head counselor, said that McClain, who has a 4.29 grade-point average, is a gifted athlete as well as an outstanding scholar.

“She’s remarkable,” Vargas-Seagle said. “She’s a star.”

McClain, 17, a resident of Coto de Caza, has applied to Duke University and the U.S. Air Force Academy and plans to become a physician. She is also interested in politics and becoming involved in health care reform.

“It’s a big honor and recognition for the work you’ve done,” said McClain, who is vice president of the National Honor Society and is a varsity track and field runner.

Otuteye, 17, also said it is rewarding to be noticed for her academic achievements. But she also said winning the scholarship means “it’ll make going to college a little bit easier on my parents.”

Otuteye, who has a 4.3 grade-point average and is editor of Loara High School’s newspaper, said that she is unsure about the college she will attend but plans on a career in advertising.

Elaine S. Detweiler, public information director for the National Merit Scholarship Corp., said the purpose of the program is to recognize the academic potential of the students and encourage blacks to continue their education.

The scholarship awards help to broaden their educational opportunities, Detweiler said.

“At least it identifies them as having academic ability and brings them to the attention of (college and university) officials,” she said.