Scholarship powers students’ summer of career exploration

Published June 1, 2026

BY CLAIRE DEIPARINE

With support from the Ron Stoney Educational Pathways Program scholarship, six Carmel High School students will spend the summer pursuing hands-on opportunities in subjects ranging from writing and law to politics and healthcare.

In honor of Dr. Ron Stoney, the 2026 scholarship is distributing a total of $28,595 to the CHS recipients, giving them the chance to pursue summer opportunities that build on interest discovered in the classroom.   This year’s recipients represent a wide range of ambitions from creative writing to medicine and public service. Their summer plans reflect how the scholarship is meant to support students as they take the next step in exploring possible college majors and career paths.

For CHS junior Ava Carter Salazar, that next step will take place in a courtroom setting as the CHS mock trial team member plans to attend a trial law program at University of California, Berkeley, in late July, where she will build on an interest in law sparked through competition and continue to explore other college majors.

 

“I’m a part of the mock trial team where I found a passion for trying cases,” Carter Salazar says. “I’m still deciding between a pre-law route or STEM major.”

Another student exploring the legal field is junior Esmeralda Almaras-Perez, who is attending a political science program at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. There, Almaras-Perez will study the judicial branch of government.

 

“I will be given the opportunity to experience trials in real time, which I think is really cool,” says the junior. “I would love to learn more about law, which is what I hope to do in the future.”

Healthcare is another path represented among this year’s recipients. Junior Kendall Wright will be traveling to North Carolina to attend a nursing camp at Duke University through the Summer Springboard Program, a pre-college summer program that allows high school students to explore career fields through hands-on learning and experience life on a college campus.

 

“I am so grateful for this scholarship,” remarks the aspiring nurse practitioner. “It is a wonderful opportunity that students should take advantage of to pursue what they are passionate about.”

Also embarking on the healthcare path, sophomore Joya Besler is planning on attending the Summer Med Program at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego in hopes of gaining hands-on experience in a healthcare environment.

In the field of veterinary medicine, junior Jasmine Abrajan-Serrano will explore the world of animal sciences at University of California, Davis. Abrajan-Serrano connects her upcoming summer program with her long-term career goals.

“My goal is to become a veterinarian, so I am excited for my summer program,” the animal lover affirms.

Looking to expand her creative writing skills, junior Asia Bonney plans on attending the 92NY Writers Workshop and participating in the Sarah Lawrence Writers Week in New York.

“This program is meant for me to improve my writing skills and nurture my passion since Carmel High doesn’t offer courses in creative writing or poetry,” the writer says. 

Although each student’s destination looks different, the Ron Stoney scholarship has given them all a common opportunity: the chance to invest in their futures. Through writing workshops, courtroom experiences, medical training and animal science studies, these Carmel High students are turning summer break into a head start on their future career endeavors.