Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Ella Mayor
A Santa Susana High School student could win big for doing all the right things.
Chosen from nearly 17,000 applicants, Ella Brie Mayor is one of 25 finalists in a National Honor Society competition.
The society is awarding $2 million in scholarships to 600 students. The program is supported by NHS’ parent organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, which also administers the National Association of Student Councils.
The scholarships recognize students who exemplify the four pillars of NHS membership: scholarship, service, leadership and character.
One national winner will receive $25,000 while four others will receive $10,625 for embodying each pillar at a gala on April 5. In addition, 20 finalists each earn $5,625 scholarships and 575 semifinalists receive $3,200 scholarships.
According to the organization, Ella, a senior at SSHS, is a dedicated volunteer, public speaker and healthcare advocate.
She has served as president of Santa Susana High’s NHS chapter for two years and has collaborated with the nonprofit Forever Found to donate clothing to trafficked children in India, Thailand and Ethiopia.
“Ella’s leadership extends to various school organizations, including STEM for Girls Excelling in Math and Science (GEMS), HOSA-Future Health Professionals, National Ethics Bowl and peer tutoring,” the society said in a statement. “She works more than 25 hours a week in a CVS pharmacy, and she works as a private tutor. She also enjoys speaking about groundbreaking research alongside UCLA professors at annual stem cell and neuroscience symposiums.”
As chief medical officer of the Ventura County Medical Explorer Foundation, Mayor partnered with Safe Passage to volunteer in mobile vaccine clinics located in underserved areas. In 2024, she was named Student of the Year by Rotary International.
“This scholarship means more than just money for college. It represents an honor bestowed to my small public school in Simi Valley, my parents who immigrated from the Philippines in search of a better life for me in America and humble recognition of the hard work I’ve put in throughout high school,” Ella said. “As a first-generation Filipino American, I will never forget the support NHS has provided me in my journey to achieving a healthier, more equitable future for generations to come.”
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