EL MONTE – Five El Monte Union High School District seniors will see their dreams of attending top-tier universities come true after being named QuestBridge 2025 National College Match scholars, an honor that comes with early admission to their new schools and full-ride, four-year scholarships worth more than $325,000.

Arroyo High School seniors Daniel Vu, Audrey Tang, and Noe Magana will join Rosemead High School seniors Aura Gallardo Muñoz and Carmen Ung as 2025 QuestBridge scholars, with their tickets stamped to attend premier universities across the country, including Pomona College, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Princeton, and Yale.

All three Arroyo High recipients have their eyes on careers in the medical and healthcare industries. Tang has been admitted to Stanford University, where she is looking to major in human biology with hopes of becoming a physician assistant. When Tang first discovered she was going to Stanford, she said she couldn’t believe it was real.

“I can’t wait to meet the student body, explore the campus, and make my way up Hoover Tower. I also look forward to fountain hopping, which is a Stanford tradition,” Tang said. “Of course, I will definitely miss the Arroyo teachers, counselors, support staff, and office assistants who have always pushed and encouraged me to succeed.”

Vu said he let out a scream when he found out he had matched to Pomona College. He hopes to major in biology and pursue a career as an optometrist, following in the footsteps of his aunt.

“When I found out I had won the scholarship, I shouted, ‘I got in!’” Vu said. “I am going to miss the Arroyo staff, my teachers, my counselor, and all the caring people who have supported and guided me throughout my journey.”

Magana felt like he was dreaming when he learned he had matched with Johns Hopkins University. This scholarship, he said, holds deep meaning for him, as it represents an opportunity to honor his parents’ years of sacrifice and support in preparing him for college. Magana plans to major in molecular biology, pursuing a pre-med pathway toward his future goals.

“My passion for human anatomy grew stronger after my experience playing basketball and dealing with a condition that inspired me to explore orthopedics,” Magana said. “I greatly appreciate the supportive teachers at Arroyo, who often believed in me even more than I believed in myself.”

Muñoz will attend Princeton University and also major in molecular biology, with a minor in neuroscience, as she aspires to one day go to medical school and become a neurosurgeon.

“In my career, I aim to make a medical breakthrough in treating neurodegenerative diseases and advancing our comprehension of the brain,” Muñoz said. “Thank you to all my teachers, counselors, and support staff at Rosemead. I feel they have put me on the right path toward great success in my life.”

Ung has been accepted to Yale University and hopes to major in computer science or engineering.

“This is a huge step for me. I can’t believe I am going to Yale,” Ung said. “As I assimilate into higher educational spaces, I hope to be able to become a driving force in the tech field, whether it is through AI, software engineering, or computer science in general – the ability to work on technologies that can shape our world motivates my career goals.”

The QuestBridge National Match Scholarship connects high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds with a thriving community and transformative educational, career, and life opportunities. In 2025, QuestBridge’s 52 college partners matched with more than 2,600 finalists, the highest number of match scholarships in its history.

“Congratulations to our QuestBridge scholars, whose hard work and dedication have made them campus leaders and role models for their peers,” Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga said. “It’s exciting to know that in elite universities across the country, El Monte’s spirit and pride will be well-represented. We can’t wait to see where their journeys lead them from here.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

EMUHSD_QUESTBRIDGE_SCHOLARS_1: From left: Arroyo High School seniors Daniel Vu, admitted to Pomona College; Audrey Tang, admitted to Stanford University; and Noe Magana, admitted to Johns Hopkins University, celebrate their four-year QuestBridge National College Match Scholarships.

EMUHSD_QUESTBRIDGE_SCHOLARS_2: Rosemead High School senior Aura Gallardo Muñoz signs her letter of intent to attend Princeton on Dec. 12 after being named a QuestBridge National College Match scholar.

EMUHSD_QUESTBRIDGE_SCHOLARS_3: Rosemead High School senior Carmen Ung celebrates signing her commitment letter after being named a QuestBridge National College Match scholar during a signing day ceremony on Dec. 12.