Lynwood – A love for her community and a determination to preserve the global habitat are the driving forces that compel Lynwood High School senior Abieiden Lopez to pursue a career developing and promoting renewable energy.

Lopez was recently named a commended National Merit Scholar, placing her in an elite group of students who make up 2 percent of seniors who received the highest scores across the country.

National Merit Scholarship participants are selected based on how they score on their Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/MSQT), taken during junior year. Of the 1.6 million students who took the exam, 34,000 top scorers received a commendation.

“This is very empowering to me. I’m from Lynwood and I feel if I can do it, anyone can do it,” Lopez said. “I gain a lot of inspiration from my family and teachers, who continually push me to work as hard as I can. I want to receive the best education possible so that I can work on the big issues the world faces today, and come back to Lynwood so that I can be a role model to others and a positive force for change within our community.”

Lopez, who carries a 4.21 GPA, has a passion for both engineering and advocacy, looking to attend a university where she can major in electrical engineering and minor in political science. Taking college courses every semester, Lopez has already received enough credits to receive an AMETLL Certificate of Engineering Design, through a partnership with District partner Cerritos College.

Lopez balances four to five AP classes per semester with a full schedule of extracurricular activities. Lopez is the founder of the Lynwood High Community Service Club, which is now affiliated with the Kiwanis Club, and is currently Vice President of LHS’ National Honor Society chapter. As a strong proponent of developing sustainable energy technologies to combat climate change, Lopez was Director of the District’s second annual Girls STEM Conference, held in April.

“Abieiden Lopez’s diligence is inspiring as she strives to be a global citizen and a future leader,” LUSD Board President Alma-Delia Renteria said. “Her work within Lynwood’s Project Lead The Way Engineering pathways challenges not only herself but also her classmates and teachers. Lopez personifies the high standards we hold for every student. She has a thirst for knowledge and is devoted to championing human rights.”

During summer break, Lopez attended the Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES) residency, a six-week science and engineering program at MIT for rising high school seniors from across the country. Upon her return, Lopez participated in a UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science Tech Camp, a four-week program where high school students receive tutorials and mentoring from UCLA engineering students.

Lopez has also been named a finalist for a QuestBridge scholarship which would provide a full, four-year scholarship worth over $200,000 to a QuestBridge partner university.

“Abieiden Lopez is an outstanding student who pushes herself to achieve great things for herself, her family, her classmates and her community,” LUSD Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite said. “She’s a shining example of what’s possible for all of our Lynwood Unified students.”

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110317_LUSD_MERITSCHOLAR: Lynwood High School senior Abieiden Lopez addresses attendees at Lynwood Unified School District’s 2nd Annual Girls STEM Conference in April. Lopez was recently named a Commended National Merit Scholar.