Mary Ellen Hillgren Scholarships

4 Year School

Every year, Assistance League of Flintridge awards scholarships to La Cañada High School seniors who will be attending a four-year college or university in the fall.  A committee of ALF members reviews the applications and selects the recipients, based on academic achievement, character, extra-curricular activities and community service.  The recipients are notified then awarded their scholarships during a ceremony on the LCHS campus and their names are engraved on a perpetual plaque that is displayed in the trophy case at the high school.

The Mary Ellen Hillgren Memorial Scholarship, administered by Assistance League of Flintridge, was established in 1995 in memory of and tribute to a prominent and dedicated member of the La Cañada Flintridge community. Mrs. Hillgren believed in the public education system and she wished to encourage the accomplishments of students whenever possible. Mrs. Hillgren was President of Assistance League of Flintridge and served twice as President of National Assistance League.

The 2025 Hillgren Scholarship instructions and application will be available in the spring of 2025.

Questions?  Contact info@alflintridge.org or 818-790-1328.

Emmi M. Sugino:  While maintaining her academic excellence, Emmi has received honors and recognitions in a variety of areas including academics, international music and choir programs, and writing nonfiction, fiction, and songs.  She has facilitated and led writing workshops for other students, served as a magazine co-editor in chief and been recognized by the Los Angeles Times and other publications.  With her choir, she has performed at the Vatican, St. Mark’s in Venice, and in New Orleans.  Emmi has also served an internship with Loyola Law School Project for the Innocent.  She plans to attend Yale University in the fall.

Jada J. Yang:  Jada also found time to maintain academic excellence while receiving awards and recognitions.  Notably, Jada was the recipient of the 2024 Les Tupper Student Service Award given for outstanding personal attributes and actively participating in service-related activities that benefit both the school and the community of La Cañada Flintridge.  Additional recognitions include the Presidential Volunteer Service Gold Award (2022 and 2023).  Jada created and is CEO of a Non-Profit organization, Mission for Mobility, to empower the voices of disabled students that has grown to serve forty thousand in 30 countries.  She has also served in numerous leadership positions through the school council and has been a student representative/advisor for FEMA and local and county governing boards.  Her plan is to attend UC Berkeley in the fall.

Emilio Dulay earned an AST and AAT in mathematics and economics, respectively, from Glendale Community College (GCC). The Dean of Student Affairs at GCC describes him as a “killer” student with aptitude, discipline, and a natural desire to learn as well as a community leader with numerous contributions. She further writes, “he has served his community college as VP of relations in the ASGCC. Within this role, he has been an advocate for over 11,000 credit students, made financial recommendations with a budget over 410,000 dollars, and represented the student body in governance meetings. He has taken his leadership to the state capital leading his peers in the March on March. He is also Founder and President of Glendale Athletes Motivate and Educate, Subcommittee leader of Glendale Scholars program, and a Lacrosse Assistant coach as well as varsity player and team captain. He states that happiness is found in empathy for others. He is headed to UCLA.

Aren Adamian studied physics and mathematics at GCC. Prior to that, he graduated salutatorian with a 4.67 GPA from St Francis High school where he was the head engineer of the Robotics team and ultimately participated in seven robotics competitions. At GCC, he was a student ambassador in both the Student Affairs department and Welcome Center. He is also involved with the GCC STEM team internship where they used drafting techniques to formulate an automatic watering machine to address downtown LA’s lack of greenery. Additionally, he is president of Alpha Gamma Sigma honor society, a GCC Scholars program committee member and provides tutoring free-of-charge. His mathematics professor states that he earned the highest grade in the class in both multivariable calculus and differential equations and that he always provides thoughtful insights. Aren is headed to UCLA.

Adam Parker graduated from CV high and is headed to Pasadena City College to study criminal justice with a minor in music. Adam plays both the flute and the piano and has received certifications of merit for both. He has taken his musical talents to volunteer at the Arcadia retirement village. He was also involved in speech/debate, speaks three languages, and is involved with marching band, martial arts and swim. His counselor states, “Adam understands that the world is full of people with a wide variety of personal struggles…and is well equipped to pursue a career in social work.” He plans to pursue a career in criminal justice and/or social work.

2022 CAP Scholarship recipient, Kylie Sears with her family

2023 Hillgren Scholarship recipients, not pictured
Anna Heur, Mia Kronson

2022 CAP Scholarship recipient, Kylie Sears, pictured with CAP Scholarship Chair, Emily Khatchaturian

2021 CAP Scholarship recipient, Isabella Gasparyan with Scholarship chair, Emily Khatchaturian (right)

2021 CAP Scholarship recipient, Nicole Bednar

2020 MEH Scholarship recipient, Delaney Choi