WESTWOOD : 2 Local Residents Named UCLA Alumni Scholars

Two Westside residents have been named among 28 recipients of the UCLA Alumni Assn.’s Distinguished Scholar awards.

Second-year law student Kristin Holmquist-Moscato of West Los Angeles received a $2,500 scholarship, and David Youssefzadeh of Beverly Hills was awarded $500 for his work as an undergraduate anthropology major. All scholarships go toward payment of tuition and fees.

Holmquist-Moscato, who had the highest GPA last year out of 340 first-year UCLA law students, was nominated by Prof. Peter Arenella; she intends to pursue a career in educational law reform. In addition to a heavy course load, Holmquist-Moscato writes for the UCLA Law Review and the Women’s Law Journal. Arenella said that he hopes she will apply for a clerkship with the U. S. Supreme Court when she graduates.

Youssefzadeh, who emigrated from Iran, hopes to become a doctor and currently volunteers in a retirement home.

“He is an exceptionally bright and energetic and highly motivated young man,” said Michael Raleigh, professor of psychology and anthropology, who sponsored Youssefzadeh’s nomination. “He has been an excellent undergraduate scholar at UCLA.”

Distinguished Scholars, nominated by their academic departments or faculty sponsors, are selected for their outstanding academic achievement and their service to the campus and community.

The recipients will be honored Jan. 16 at an awards ceremony. The UCLA Alumni Assn.’s Advisory and Scholarship Program awards about $460,000 each year to the university’s most distinguished first-year students, transfer students and continuing students.