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Overview

The Propeller Club of Los Angeles–Long Beach will grant scholarships ranging from $250 to $1,000 to graduating high school seniors.

In 2019, the Board of Governors established two scholarships in memory of ILWU Local 13 Longshoreman David Arian and former Port of LA Chief Harbor Engineer and Propeller Club Board Member Adam Birkenbach, each awarding $1,000.

In 2025, a third $1,000 scholarship was added in memory of John Ochs, USCG Commanding Officer and Chief Labor Relations Officer of APMT.

In 2026, the Board further expanded its commitment to supporting future maritime leaders by establishing the Monika Wegener Memorial Scholarship, honoring her extraordinary legacy and decades of service to the Propeller Club and the broader maritime community.

The recipients of these awards will be invited to the Annual Harbor Cruise and Scholarship Award Ceremony.

Qualifications

This scholarship is open to high school seniors currently residing in and/or attending schools located in the cities of Long Beach, Lakewood, San Pedro, Wilmington, Harbor City or Carson and demonstrating deserving academic records, outstanding citizenship and school and community service.

REFERENCES

Please provide two letters of reference; one from a teacher or counselor and one from an adult who is familiar with your schoolwork and activities that should be considered in reviewing eligibility for scholarships. Do not include relatives or fellow students. The letter of reference does not have to be specific to this scholarship.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

  • 500-word essay on a selected essay question
  • List of your most important school activities, community service, and work experience
  • Unofficial high school transcripts
  • Two letters of reference; one from a teacher or counselor and one from an adult who is familiar with your schoolwork and activities

DONATE TO THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND TODAY!

Help us empower the next generation! The Propeller Club of Los Angeles-Long Beach is dedicated to supporting ambitious high school currently residing in and/or attending schools located in the cities of Long Beach, Lakewood, San Pedro, Wilmington, Harbor City or Carson through our scholarship program.

Your generous donation will provide deserving students with the financial support they need to pursue their educational dreams.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Scholarship Committee

Co-Chairs: Daniella Ruiz and Sue Dvonch
Committee members: Jaime Avina, Cesar Sanchez, and Andrea Trucios

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2026 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS!


Chukwuebuka Chukwudi, John Ochs Winner

My name is Chukwuebuka Chukwudi, and I’ve recently graduated from King/Drew Magnet High School. In the fall, I will attend UC Berkeley and major in Mechanical Engineering with hopes of doing work to give back to marginalized and underrepresented communities, and eventually pursue a career in the automotive industry. I am extremely honored to receive this scholarship. This scholarship will help me on my academic journey by assisting me in overcoming the academic hurdles and challenges that my family has been faced with over the past year. I am very grateful to the Propeller Club for granting me this scholarship, as every dollar makes a huge difference.


Caroline Fiamengo, David Arian Winner

I am extremely honored to be the recipient of this year’s David Arian Scholarship. I am a recent graduate of Palos Verdes Peninsula High School. This fall I will be attending UC Santa Barbara to study political science in the hopes of pursuing a career in political marketing. As a multigenerational ILWU family, this honor holds special significance to me. Being from a union family has greatly influenced my decision to pursue a career in helping create progressive political policies. This scholarship will help alleviate the financial burdens that will come with attending university and allow me to focus on my studies. I am immensely grateful to the Propeller Club LA/LB for selecting me to receive this scholarship and for supporting my future.


Erinne Park, Adam Birkenbach Winner

I am very honored to be a recipient of the Propeller Club LA/LB Scholarship. This fall, I will be attending Cornell University as a Human Biology, Health, and Society major. At Cornell, I plan to continue my research on the behavioral factors that impact our healthcare system, and as a future physician, I intend to promote healthcare equity for both my patients and community. This scholarship will help alleviate the financial burden that I face in university and allow me to immerse myself in my work and advocacy. Thank you to Propellor Club LA/LB for supporting me and my future.


Denisse Uribe, Monika Wegener Winner

First and foremost, it is with great pleasure that I receive the Propeller Club Scholarship this year as a first-generation Latina. I will be using my award toward my first year of college at Loyola Marymount University this fall. While attending university, I plan to study Business Administration with a minor in Communications, with long-term goals of working at the Port of Long Beach, inspired by my internship with the port last year. I aim to work within the public sector of a city that has helped shape me as an individual. I carry this recognition with joy as I am proud that my personal and professional efforts have been rightfully recognized. Once again, I proudly acknowledge the impact receiving this scholarship will make on my studies, and I thank the Propeller Club of Long Beach for this recognition.

Dylan Curamen, Scholarship Award Winner

It is my dream to become a pediatric psychiatrist in service of healing our youth to give back to my community. My plans for the fall consist of attending California State University, Long Beach, where I will be conducting my undergraduate studies with a pre-biochemistry major. I am honored to be a member of the University Honors which will allow me to get a headstart in conducting research in CSULB's labs which I am immensely excited for. In the future, I anticipate attending medical school to work towards my doctorate. I am beyond grateful to receive the support of the Propeller Club of Los Angeles - Long Beach as I begin to undertake my rigorous endeavors and achieve my career goals.


Isabella Franco, Scholarship Award Winner

I’d like to express my sincere gratitude for this generous scholarship, which will help support my education as I attend the University of California, Los Angeles this fall as a psychobiology major. I hope to immerse myself in my studies, extracurricular activities, and undergraduate research to further develop my passion for science and medicine while preparing for my long-term career goal of becoming a pediatrician. Beyond academics, I’d like to continue my involvement in Ballet Folklórico, promoting cultural awareness as both a performer and educator. I hope to showcase the vibrancy of Hispanic culture not only through performance but also through education about the history and traditions behind each dance style. This scholarship will help cover the costs of student orientation, as well as essential books and supplies, allowing me to begin my college journey prepared for success. Thank you once again for believing in me and investing in my future. I am deeply honored to receive this scholarship.


Milagros Garcia Lopez, Scholarship Award Winner

This fall, I am incredibly excited to begin my next academic chapter at California State University, Long Beach, where I will be pursuing my dream of becoming a nurse. Receiving this prestigious scholarship from the Propeller Club of Los Angeles-Long Beach is an immense honor that significantly eases the financial transition of entering college. It provides invaluable support as I dedicate myself to my nursing studies and work toward making a positive impact on the health and well-being of my community. I am deeply grateful to the Scholarship Committee for recognizing my story and supporting my educational journey.

​Thank you once again for your generosity and belief in my future. I look forward to celebrating with you at the Harbor Cruise in August!


Jake Lemus, Scholarship Award Winner

I'm immensely grateful to have even been considered for the LA/LB Propeller Club Scholarship. This fall, I intend to dorm at Cal Poly Pomona, one of six schools in California offering Industrial Engineering, so that I can go on to become a Continuous Improvement Analyst. Cutting waste from supply lines through math is an extracurricular of mine, and by following this major, I can further what I love. It will be my biggest challenge yet, but with the generous financial support, I'm given more time and motivation to focus on my studies. Again, thank you for the opportunity Propeller Club of LA/LB!


Yasmin Lopez, Scholarship Award Winner

This Fall, I will be attending El Camino College to major in Fire Science. My goals is to enroll in El Camino's Fire Academy, obtain my EMT license, Paramedic license, transfer to a four year university, and continue to serve my community. As a woman interested in pursing a career in the Fire Service, I am passionate about the idea of proving that women are capable of succeeding in a male-dominated field. Growing up, I was afraid of achieving higher education, concerned about debt, increase tuition cost, and questioned my abilities of becoming a firefighter. With the scholarships support it will allow me to focus on my studies, increase my motivation, and help me accomplish my goals. The generous support will alleviate some of my financial stress and enable me to school expenses. Thank you for this honor and believing in me to stay focused on my aspirations and goals!


Noel Marin, Scholarship Award Winner

Hi, my name is Noel Marin. I will be continuing my studies at University of California Berkeley, where I will be studying environmental engineering this fall. I hope to one day be able to use my learning to be able to clean up the earth and make the earth more sustainable. I am so thankful to have received this scholarship from the Propeller Club of Los Angeles-Long Beach. This scholarship will help me greatly through this academic year. I am excited to immerse myself in the academics at Berkeley while also taking in all the new experiences and fun. Thank you again to the Propeller Club!


Marin Marnani, Scholarship Award Winner

Hello, my name is Marin Marnani. I’d like to thank the Long Beach Propeller Club for funding a part of my university tuition. During the fall, I plan to head to UC San Diego to study human biology. I hope to use this degree to pursue a career in the medical field. The propeller club scholarship means a lot to me because I will need all of the help I can get to accomplish these lofty goals. It takes a village, and I have learned the importance of giving back to the community that raised me. I’d once again like to thank the Propeller Club for supporting me in my academic journey.


Stefany Munoz, Scholarship Award Winner

My name is Stefany Munoz. I recently graduated from Jordan High School, Class of 2026. This fall, I will begin my studies at Long Beach City College , where my goal is to become a registered nurse, as my greatest dream is to help others and make a positive difference in their lives. As a student who is still learning English, I know that the path to achieving my goals will require a great deal of effort, dedication, and perseverance. However, I am determined to move forward and seize every opportunity to grow both academically and personally. I am deeply grateful to the LA/LB Propeller Club Scholarship, as it is a tremendous honor to have been selected as one of this year's recipients. Thanks to this support, I will be able to focus more on my studies and move closer to my goal of becoming a registered nurse. More than just financial aid, this scholarship represents a vote of confidence in my potential and motivates me to keep working hard so that, one day, I can give back to my community the support I am receiving today. Thank you very much for believing in me and for investing in the future of students like me.


Layla Nayfeh, Scholarship Award Winner

This fall, I will be attending Long Beach City College to begin my nursing prerequisites. My goal is to become a Physician Assistant so that I can make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. Receiving the Propeller Club scholarship makes me feel honored, and will support my educational expenses as I begin this new chapter of my life. I am extremely grateful for the generosity of the Propeller Club of Los Angeles-Long Beach, and its commitment to helping students achieve their academic goals.


Micah Rachal, Scholarship Award Winner

Hello, my name is Micah Rachal. This fall, I will be beginning my studies at the University of Southern California(Fight On!), where I'll be studying music performance with a focus on woodwinds, mainly saxophone. My goal is to grow as a musician at a professional level while continuing to build on my experience performing in ensembles, leadership roles, and community-based music programs. Outside of performance, I am also interested in using music as a way to connect with and serve others, especially through education and composition.

Receiving this scholarship would directly support my transition into college by helping offset the financial burden of attending USC and allowing me to focus more fully on my studies and performance opportunities around LA, and hopefully further. It would also be an important encouragement as I continue working toward a career in music and performance, where I hope to contribute both artistically and through community engagement.


Alvin Reyes Cordero, Scholarship Award Winner

I am a student who not only values learning from the classroom, but also finds value in the experiences life has to offer: from working with youth across the US alongside the Sandy Hook Promise to shaping the City of Long Beach's youth initiatives and resources. My interest in advocacy has allowed me to impact millions of lives across the United States and even be recognized by the United State's Department of Education & the Long Beach Board of Education. This financial support will allow me to continue to remain focused on my advocacy endeavors, while also prioritizing my academics, due to my financial burdens being alleviated because of this scholarship! This fall, I will be attending the University of California, Berkeley: GO BEARS!!!


Christopher Ramirez, Scholarship Award Winner

This upcoming fall I will be an incoming freshman at Harvard University. Planning on majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology, I hope to involve myself in a variety of research experiences, scientific advocacy, and expanding my horizons through study abroad. As a first generation student, I am forever grateful for the opportunity the Propellor Club of LB/LA has given me not only to fund my college journey but to also overcome the financial barriers and burdens that come along with college life! Ultimately, I aim to be a physician in the future, focusing on innovative strategies in the medical field.


Cindy Rodriguez, Scholarship Award Winner

This fall, I will be attending the University of California, Irvine, where I will major in Biological Sciences. My future aspiration is to become a neonatologist so that I can dedicate my life to caring for newborns and supporting families during some of their most vulnerable moments. Thanks to this scholarship, I will be able to bridge any remaining financial gaps, cover the costs of school supplies and housing, and continue pursuing my education with greater financial security. Thank you for your support and bringing me one step closer to achieving my academic and career goals.


Angheli Zalameda Leonor, Scholarship Award Winner

I’m deeply grateful to the Propeller Club of Los Angeles-Long Beach for selecting me as one of this year’s scholarship recipients! This generous support will allow me to focus on my studies and engage more fully in community service, rather than prioritizing part-time employment to fund my education. This fall, I will be attending Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA, as part of the Class of 2030. I plan to pursue interdisciplinary studies in Computer Science and Linguistics under the Symbolic Systems major, along with a coterminal Master’s program in Public Policy. My ultimate goal is to become a lawyer focused on the technology sector, ensuring that technology usage is properly regulated and that misuse is properly addressed, especially in the exponentially growing field of AI. I also hope to help mitigate AI’s disproportionate negative impacts on people living in poverty. I am honored to receive this opportunity and look forward to broadening my perspective and leading our world toward a brighter future, especially for individuals and families caught in the cycle of poverty. This scholarship will surely propel me toward my lofty aspirations. Thank you!

THANK YOU TO OUR SCHOLARSHIP SPONSORS








Past Scholarship Recipients

2025 WINNERS

Sammantha Martinez
Adam Birkenbach Winner

Loreley Moreno
David Arian Winner

Jackson Hogue
John Ochs Winner

Chrystel Joy Tenepere
Scholarship Award Winner

Hannah Morris
Scholarship Award Winner

Kyvalee Nguyen
Scholarship Award Winner

Alexia Padilla
Scholarship Award Winner

Sofia Uribe
Scholarship Award Winner

Audrey Mantong
Scholarship Award Winner

Valentino Saenz-Castruita
Scholarship Award Winner

2024 WINNERS

Taylor Viducic
David Arian Scholarship Award Winner

Roberto Ibarra
Adam Birkenbach Scholarship Award Winner

Eva Christy
Scholarship Award Winner

Angelina DelGaudio
Scholarship Award Winner

Sara Letson
Scholarship Award Winner

Naveed Tate
Scholarship Award Winner


2023 WINNERS

Giovanna Babarovic
David Arian Scholarship Award Winner

Nicholas Jones
Adam Birkenbach Scholarship Award Winner

Sydney Chaikittirattana
Scholarship Award Winner

Pedro DeLa Torre
Scholarship Award Winner

Valerie Torres
Scholarship Award Winner

Laura Viera
Scholarship Award Winner

Bella Zapata
Scholarship Award Winner

2022 WINNERS

Hebah Halibi
David Arian Scholarship Award Winner

Daniel Torok
Adam Birkenbach Scholarship Award Winner

Alegria Carr
Scholarship Award Winner

Isabella Del Gaudio
Scholarship Award Winner

Rachel Perry
Scholarship Award Winner

Odalys Zapata
Scholarship Award Winner


2021 WINNERS

Satyamuny Weir
Adam Birkenbach Scholarship Winner

Nailah Robinson
David Arian Scholarship Winner

Liam Allpern
Scholarship Winner

Stefanny Cachia
Scholarship Winner

Mia DiConstanzo
Scholarship Winner


2020 Winners

Ronald Wicks
Dr. Richard A Vladovic Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy
Adam Birkenbach Scholarship of $1,000

Thessa Malauulu
St. Anthony High School
David Arian Scholarship of $1,000

Clark Boyce
Long Beach Polytechnic High School

Laura Yontz
Long Beach Polytechnic High School


2018 Winners

Ethan Horvath
Millikan High School (Thank You Letter)

Francis DeGuzman
Cabrillo High School

Joy Rowden
California State University, Long Beach

Timothy Oloimooja
Port of Los Angeles High School


2019 Winners

Itohan Ero
CA Academy of Math/Science
Adam Birkenbach Scholarship of $1,000

Evelyn Zandejas
POLA HS
Commissioner David Arian Scholarship of $1,000

Gerard Legaspi
SATO Academy

Kendall Dimson
POLA HS


2017 Winners

Hunter Bjazevich
Mary Star of the Sea High School

Guadalupe Del Cid
Port of Los Angeles High School

Arturo Hernandez
Phineas Banning High School

Daisy Loera
Banning Academies of Creative and Innovative Sciences High School


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