2026 EmBrase Scholarship Recipients
We are proud to recognize the 21 outstanding students selected as the 2026 EmBrase Scholarship Recipients. Each student has demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and a strong commitment to community service—reflecting the mission and values of the EmBrase Foundation.
This page honors their achievements and celebrates the next generation of scholars as they continue their educational journeys and carry forward a legacy of service, perseverance, and hope.
Attending: UC Davis
Major: Communications
Career Plan: Public Relations/Media
Dalilah Canche
“...I hope there will be others out there who are inspired by this future of mine and will continue to carry out this legacy and help more families in need.”
Attending: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Major: Medical and Health Sciences
Career Plan: Physician or Surgeon
Damian Diego
“I plan to pursue a career in the medical field as a physician or surgeon…The legacy I hope to create is one where I serve as a starting point, encouraging others like me to follow and realize their own potential.”
Attending: UC Santa Cruz
Major: Education
Career Plan: Psychiatric Social Worker
Monicharyss Estrada
“I want to be the person who can step in and provide culturally responsive care and advocate for the critical mental health support that my community needs. I want to ensure people have a hand to hold onto during times of uncertainty when they are at the brink of letting themselves go.”
Valerie Gomez
“In healthcare, I will be responsible for helping patients understand their conditions and feel supported during difficult times… The legacy I hope to create is one of kindness, support, and positive impact. I want to be someone who helps others feel capable, understood, and cared for.”
Attending: Cal State Los Angeles
Major: Nursing
Career Plan: Nursing
“I want to use my voice to advocate for the people within my community, creating the space I wish I had in 8th grade to be true to my identity, and allow them to spread their wings as far as they can go when it comes to flying into acceptance from others.”
Attending: UC Santa Cruz
Major: undecided
Career Plan: undeclared
Evelyn Gonzalez Ortega
“I'm not going to let all those sacrifices my mom made for us be for nothing. I'm going to set up a good life for myself and my family doing what I love. I want to be just like my mom, giving my kids a childhood where they don't have a worry in the world.”
Attending: UC Santa Barbara
Major: undecided
Career Plan: undeclared
Nathan Prado
Attending: Cal State Long Beach
Major: undecided
Career Plan: Fashion Designer
Emily Revelo
“My dream is to leave a mark not only through my fashion designs but also through the hope and strength I inspire in others.”
“I hope my legacy will be one of compassion, clarity, and empowering others tonavigate the healthcare system with confidence.”
Attending: UC Riverside
Major: undecided
Career Plan: Health Care Worker
Allisson Zaragoza
Attending: Columbia University
Major: Psychology
Career Plan: Child Advocacy Prosecutor
Jazmine Ortega
“I think of the systemic change that must be forged to thoroughly protect and care for all children.”
Attending: University of Laverne
Major: Undeclared
Career Plan: Performing Arts
Ignacio Herrera
“The creative environment fostered at Plaza encouraged me to delve deeper into my own narrative, allowing my writing to blossom with vitality and nuance-elements that truly encapsulate my passion and unwavering dedication.”
Attending: UC San Diego
Major: Undeclared
Career Plan: Unknown
Lailah Nava
Attending: University of Alabama
Major: Unknown
Career Plan: Health Care
Rebecca Cruz
“I am from South Central Los Angeles where many, including myself, learn the importance of being resilient and working hard towards a brighter future that allows us to leave the world better than we found it with a lasting impact in the spaces that allow us to grow.”
“Being at Plaza almost everyday developed my artistic, dance, and music skills. I took folklorico classes, ukulele, papel picado, and mixed media art classes. I found the community that my school always talked about. A safe haven. A place where I connected with people that have similar backgrounds. I am forever grateful for the opportunities that were given to me at such a young age. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it weren’t for my community. Plaza de la Raza and the Lincoln Heights recreation center.”
Attending: California Baptist University
Major: Undeclared
Career Plan: Unknown
Sapphire Fryre-Torres
Attending: UC Irvine
Major: Chicano Latino Studies
Career Plan: History/Art
Sofia Lopez
“What connects all of these experiences is my desire to create. Whether I am creating artwork, designing projects, explaining history to others, or contributing to a cultural community space, I want my work to make people feel engaged and represented. Creativity has helped me grow into someone who values self-expression, curiosity, and connection with others.”
Attending: UCLA
Major: Education
Career Plan: Teaching
Rigo Chavez
“Now, nearing the end of my first year as a Bruin, it has become more apparent to me than ever that I truly love academia. Investing myself in pages and pages of information that had once been hidden from me only reinforced what I had contemplated by the end of my senior year at Roosevelt: wanting to go back to school, this time around, as an educator. To be the one to light that spark in future generations is what I believe my calling has always been and always will be.”
Attending: Los Angeles City College
Major: Psychology
Career Plan: Working with children
Gianna Flury
“I want to use both creativity and the way the mind thinks to connect with people to understand how they feel and to have the right to fight for those people.”
Attending:
Major: Music
Career Plan: Music Producer
Dimitry Stegnitz
“I want to give people from all backgrounds a platform to share their music, especially artists of color and those from communities like mine. Maybe one day a kid like I once was will hear a song that came from my studio and begin their own musical journey.”
Attending: Mt San Antonio College
Major: Music
Career Plan: Musian
Bobby Rodriguez
“Looking back, music gave me something far greater than performance skills. It gave me focus, confidence, discipline, and a sense of purpose. Today, I am committed to continuing my education and development as a musician…”
Attending: UC Riverside
Major: Undeclared
Career Plan: Music
Michael Rendon
“As the son of two immigrant parents, I have learned to value hard work, sacrifice, and growth. Piano gave me creativity and confidence, while baseball taught me leadership and resilience.”