Stanford University-bound Julia Leal, a co-valedictorian at Live Oak High School, was one of seven graduating seniors from around the Bay Area awarded with a $1,000 scholarship as part of the ABC7 Star Scholars program.
ABC7 was on the LOHS campus May 25 to film Leal going about her day. She will be featured on a special program “ABC7 Star Scholars” that is slated to air this summer.
Leal, who was nominated for the honor by LOHS mathematics teacher Kristopher Boursier, plans to major in earth systems at Stanford.
“Whenever there is hard work that needs to be done, it seems like I can always find Julia in the middle with her sleeves rolled up,” Boursier said. “Julia has a calm strength backed up with incredible determination. She is a young lady with big plans, and I have no doubt she will get to where she wants to go.”
She maintained a 4.58 grade-point-average at LOHS. Leal is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, Key Club, Math Club and Future Farmers of America.
Invitations to participate in the ABC7 Star Scholars program were sent to hundreds of schools throughout the Bay Area in March. Each school was able to nominate up to four of their top students who had a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
After being nominated by the school, each student had to submit a 3-page application and nomination form. Applications were reviewed by a panel of judges, which included ABC7 representatives and community members.
