Fong Celebrates Congressional High School Merit Award Winners

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) recognized and celebrated the outstanding students and educators across the district who received Congressional High School Merit Awards, honoring the next generation of leaders in the Central Valley.

The Congressional High School Merit Award recognizes graduating seniors who have demonstrated exceptional academic excellence, leadership, and service to their communities. This year, Congressman Fong presented awards to 21 students from high schools across CA-20. Additionally, award winners were able to nominate an educator who played a pivotal role in shaping their success - honoring the teachers and mentors who made it possible.

"It was an honor to recognize and celebrate our outstanding Congressional High School Merit Award winners throughout CA-20," said Rep. Fong. "They are true leaders, not just in the classroom, but in their communities as well. These incredible students and educators are a testament to the immense talent we have in the Central Valley, and it was a pleasure to meet them and congratulate them for their hard work. Congratulations to all-the future is bright with these incredible young leaders and educators."

Merit Award Recipients

Chloe Bickford - Bakersfield Christian High School

Jack Hopkins - Bakersfield High School

Aimee Chung - Buchanan High School

Katelyn Smith - Centennial High School

Ally Lane - Central Valley Christian High School

Mia Willson - Frazier Mountain High School

Tristan Padilla - Frontier High School

Luke Tobias - Garces Memorial High School

Faron Ferguson - Heritage Oak School

Jayshion Bostick - Immanuel Christian School

Troy Holman - Independence High School

Ella Mauer - Kern Valley High School

Kimberlynn Temple - Legacy Christian Academy

Robert Clegg - Liberty High School

Jeremiah Bush - Maricopa High School

Samuel Loza Flores - Mojave Junior Senior High School

Emma Ehret - North High School

Dustin Bui - Sherman E. Burroughs High School

Diego Davian Benitez - Stockdale High School

Kimber Crabb - Taft Union High School

Mason Deven Rothermel - Tehachapi High School

Educator Award Recipients

Nathan Thiessen - Bakersfield Christian High School

Matthew Ornelaz - Bakersfield High School

Laura Riley - Buchanan High School

Joseph Biron - Centennial High School

Michael Hackbarth - Central Valley Christian High School

Christy Zimmerman - Frazier Mountain High School

Whitney Pascual - Frontier High School

Caitlin Thompson - Garces Memorial High School

Robert Polski - Independence High School

Raymond Crosby - Kern Valley High School

Brooke Slayton - Liberty High School

Mersades Cruz - Maricopa High School

Erika Chávez Simmons - Mojave Junior Senior High School

Tri Bui - Sherman E. Burroughs High School

Lea MacLean - Stockdale High School

Mike Cowan - Taft Union High School

Amy Watkins - Tehachapi High School