Top students get scholarships

The Balboa Bay Club will award 12 of the district’s top students with $62,000 in scholarships at a ceremony Tuesday.

A philanthropic group, the 1221 Club, awards the scholarships. The club was established more than 10 years ago by International Bay Clubs owner Beverly Ray Parkhurst and several club members.

“To date, the 1221 Club has bestowed an impressive $461,000 to deserving students. These are our future leaders, and this is something we want to reward,� International Bay Clubs President David Wooten said in a news release. “The club’s efforts are appreciated and we look forward to celebrating with these fine students and their families at this year’s reception.�

The 12 students, who have high scholastic, athletic and community service accolades, were nominated by Newport-Mesa Unified teachers, principals and counselors; following confirmation of their nomination, each student was interviewed by a panel from the Balboa Bay Club’s board of governors.

The students are:

  Daniel Ward, Corona del Mar High School, first place, $20,000 scholarship

  McKenna Archer, Newport Harbor High School, first place, $20,000 scholarship

  Jacob Wachman, Estancia High School, second place, $5,000 scholarship

 Sandra Im, Costa Mesa High School, second place, $5,000 scholarship

  Kevin Cox, Corona del Mar High School, $5,000 E. Morris Smith Balboa Bay Club Governors Scholarship

  Samareh Afrasiabi, Corona del Mar High School, $1,000 scholarship

  Sarah Hammarlund, Newport Harbor High School, $1,000 scholarship

  Daniel O’Neil, Estancia High School, $1,000 scholarship

 Michelle Parsons, Estancia High School, $1,000 scholarship

  Lauryn Randall, Costa Mesa High School, $1,000 scholarship

  Alexander Rios, Newport Harbor High School, $1,000 scholarship

  Ethan Simonoff, Costa Mesa High School, $1,000 scholarship

For more information, call (949) 645-5000 or visit balboabayclub.com.

— Candice Baker