Scholarships Awarded for Medical Studies

Four Valley-area high school seniors who are pursuing careers in health care each were awarded $500 scholarships from a local nonprofit organization Thursday.

Scholarship recipients were Vishnu Brahmandam and Tanya Hashim of Reseda Science Magnet High School, Tommy Jin-Ho Noh of Kennedy High School in Granada Hills and Lisa Trafercanty of Canyon High School in Canyon Country.

The scholarships were announced by the Los Angeles County Medical Assn. Auxiliary District 6, representing the West Valley, during the group’s installation of officers luncheon at Northridge Hospital Medical Center.

“Their applications were just outstanding,” said Charlene Rio, co-chairwoman of the auxiliary’s health careers committee.

“They’ve not only achieved academically in advanced placement classes but they have also volunteered in school and community activities, they are active in their churches and some of them even hold down part-time jobs.”

Vishnu, who will be studying biochemistry and computer science at UCLA beginning in the fall, said he’ll use the money for tuition.

Tanya, who will be studying biology and psychology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, said: “Every dollar counts.”

Tommy was accepted to the University of Pennsylvania premed program and Lisa will be studying nursing at Azusa Pacific University, Rio said.

Since 1964, the auxiliary has awarded $70,850 in scholarships to 149 students in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys, Rio said.