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.

THE 2026 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION IS OPEN!

Click here to complete the scholarship application

Deadline to submit is May 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST
All applicants will be notified by June 8, 2026

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 2025 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS!

Satyamuny Weir
Sammantha Martinez, Adam Birkenbach Winner

"This fall, I will be attending the University of California, Berkeley as an Education major, with long-term plans to pursue a career in teaching and nonprofit work. My goal is to return to the Long Beach Unified School District to serve my community as an educator and continue growing my youth program, Breaking the Cycle, which helps students overcome generational trauma through self-discovery and empowerment. To support myself throughout college, I have been working this summer to become both a certified real estate salesperson and a notary public. This scholarship is especially meaningful to me because it will help cover the costs of these certifications, allowing me to generate income while in school. It will also help cover the costs of books and other essential academic expenses, ultimately bringing me closer to achieving my educational and professional goals. Thank you so much for this generous donation and support towards my education! I am extremely grateful."

Nailah Robinson
Loreley Moreno, David Arian Winner

"I extend my sincerest gratitude to the propellor club of Los Angeles for giving me this opportunity of winning the scholarship in memorial of David Arian. My plans for this fall include attending UCLA on route to major in public health with a minor in community engagement, as well as being apart of the student engagement at UCLA. This scholarship and others alike have lifted a financial burden off my back so that I could go to school without having to worry about whether money would determine my academic success."

Liam Alpern
Jackson Hogue, John Ochs Winner

"I’m honored to receive the LA/LB Propeller Club Scholarship. This fall, I’ll attend the University of Southern California to study Astronautical Engineering, with the long-term goal of designing rocket engines that expand human access to space. In high school, I co-founded a student-run makerspace, led an FRC robotics team, and mentored younger students in STEM—experiences that taught me how powerful hands-on learning can be. This award eases a real financial burden for my family and lets me focus on coursework, join USC’s Rocket Propulsion Lab, and continue community outreach instead of juggling extra jobs. Thank you for investing in my education and in the impact I hope to make."

Chrystel Joy Tenepere, Scholarship Award Winner

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"I am very excited to attend UCLA this fall to study Business Economics and pursue my dreams of becoming a consultant in one of the Big Three consulting firms; McKinsey, BCG, and Bain. It is truly such an honor to be the recipient of the LA/LB Propeller’s Club scholarship. This support will lift some of the financial burden of college education, and will allow me to fully engross myself in my endeavors. I am incredibly grateful. With this, I will make sure to seize every opportunity to grow and stay committed to the work that will bring me closer to my dreams."

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Hannah Morris, Scholarship Award Winner

"I am so grateful and honored to be an LA/LB Propeller Club Scholarship recipient. I will be attending UC Berkeley this fall as a prospective English major, excited to become involved with student journalism and advocacy on campus as I pursue my dreams of fighting for change as an environmental and/or political journalist. With the support of this scholarship, the financial burden of tuition and supplies has been lightened for myself and my family. Knowing that my aspirations for activism are supported by my community, I will continue to take full advantage of the educational opportunities that I am blessed to have available to me."

Kyvalee Nguyen, Scholarship Award Winner

"I am extremely thankful for this scholarship as an incoming Gaucho at UC Santa Barbara this fall majoring in electrical engineering. This opportunity is providing crucial funds needed to fund my college education and will go directly to funding my tuition. The propeller club scholarship allows me to pursue the path to my dream career of electrical engineering and for that I am eternally grateful."

Alexia Padilla, Scholarship Award Winner

"I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and to be one of the Propeller Club LA/LB Scholarship award winners. This fall I will be attending Seton Hall University, majoring in International Relations and Diplomacy on the pre-law track. I wish to attend law school and become a lawyer. This scholarship will help with the cost of textbooks and other supplies. I am incredibly excited to continue my education and one day give back to my community."

Sofia Uribe, Scholarship Award Winner

"I am deeply grateful to be a recipient of the Propeller Club LA/LB Scholarship Award. This fall, I will be attending Dartmouth College. I look forward to studying environmental science where I plan to engage in research and discover solutions for the climate crisis. To do this, I will collaborate with groups such as the Dartmouth Sustainable Living Center and Great Issues Scholars. There, I will have the opportunity to hold discussions and develop the tools for global change. Thank you Propeller Club LA/LB for supporting me and my future endeavors."

Audrey Mantong, Scholarship Award Winner

"I am incredibly honored and grateful to be chosen as a recipient of the LA/LB Propeller Club Scholarship. I will be attending University of California Los Angeles in the fall, where I plan to complete my degree in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology in hopes of going on to become a lab technician, wherefrom I may pursue a career in cell biology and scientific research helping discover improvements in combating genetic diseases. I seek to be involved in as much experience with internships as I can to achieve my goal, but I know that the cost of my education on this path will be a great challenge. Therefore the support that this scholarship provides will contribute to alleviating some of that financial stress, and that is a true blessing for which I thank the Propeller Club."

Valentino Saenz-Castruita, Scholarship Award Winner

"It is an immense honor to be awarded this scholarship and to have my efforts in my academic career thus far be recognized. My whole life I have always been a high achieving student, and due to this academic excellence I will be attending UCLA in the fall majoring in Business Economics. Attending my dream university is an opportunity that my family and I are beyond grateful for, but due to attending such a prestigious university the costs of tuition are high. Therefore, this wonderful scholarship will help aid in covering the immense cost of my schooling. Thank you to everyone involved in this wonderful organization and I am truly honored to have been selected as a recipient of this scholarship award."

THANK YOU TO OUR SCHOLARSHIP SPONSORS

Past Scholarship Recipients

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