LYNWOOD, CA – At age five, Agustin Ramon and his family left Mexico and arrived in the United States, leaving all they knew for a chance at a better life while navigating a language barrier that proved to be a daily struggle.

Ramon, now a Lynwood High School senior, overcame those early challenges with the support of his family and the Lynwood Unified community, building confidence in the classroom and setting his sights on a future in the tech industry. His resilience and academic achievements were recognized on March 20, when he was named an Edison Scholar and awarded a $50,000 scholarship.

“This scholarship was incredibly unreal to me; I never thought someone like me would be given such an opportunity,” Ramon said. “I want to sincerely thank Edison for granting me this chance and am deeply grateful to everyone who has helped me along my journey, especially my parents. Anything is possible if you are willing to work hard and stay determined. The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination.”

Each year, Edison International awards scholarships to 30 high school seniors throughout Southern California who plan to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), recognizing them for their academic and personal achievements. Ramon is the sixth Lynwood Unified student who has been recognized as an Edison Scholar since 2018.

Ramon’s mother, Maria Sebastian, emphasized that the scholarship extends beyond financial relief for her family, representing hope and inspiration for the broader community.

“Hopefully, Agustin’s achievement inspires other young people to look up to him and see that despite the roadblocks, they can achieve their dreams too.” Sebastian said. “We see the drive our students have to do better and grow past challenges, and Agustin is an example that they all can overcome difficulties.”

Now, having lived in the United States for 13 years, Sebastian reflected on her family’s roots, remembering the circumstances that led to them leaving their home in search of opportunity.

“We are from a small town. Economically, we were unable to reach a point where we could achieve our dreams. This is not easy, leaving everything behind and starting over in a place where you know absolutely nothing,” Sebastian said. “To the District, administrators, and his teachers, I say thank you. This is not the work of just one person – it’s a community effort.”

According to Ramon, his successes are fueled through encouragement from his family. He currently maintains a 4.67 GPA, ranking as one of the top five students at Lynwood High, while balancing extracurriculars, Advanced Placement and college courses, and athletics. Ramon plans to study computer science and electrical engineering in college, merging his interest in coding with hands-on problem-solving. Ramon said the Edison Scholarship will provide him the opportunity to select his college of choice without any financial barriers.

Ramon’s career aspirations were sparked early on through Lynwood High’s Engineering Career Technical Education pathway, where he was encouraged by former program lead Christian Munguia to explore engineering beyond the classroom. Through hands-on experiences in robotics, including VEX competitions and participation in SkillsUSA, Ramon worked with teammates to design and program humanoid robots, solidifying his interest in the field.

Those who have worked closely with Ramon, such as Erika Ontiveros, who served as his Lynwood High counselor from freshman to junior year, said his success reflects years of determination, growth and self-advocacy.

“From the moment he walked into my office in ninth grade, I’ve always been very impressed by Agustin,” Ontiveros said. “He has that determination and grit to do great things. He does not waver from any challenge thrown at him.”

Beyond academics, Ramon dedicates time to strengthening his creative and athletic skills, including playing soccer, participating in band as a guitarist, developing his interest in singing and exploring graphic design.

“Agustin’s journey reflects the resilience we instill in our students at every level,” Lynwood Unified Superintendent Patrick Gittisriboongul, Ed.D., said. “From overcoming early challenges to earning this scholarship, he is blazing a path for his family and local community, encouraging others to pursue their dreams.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

LHS_EDISON_SCHOLAR1: Lynwood High School senior Agustin Ramon has been named a 2026 Edison Scholar, earning a $50,000 scholarship to attend college.

LHS_EDISON_SCHOLAR2: Lynwood High senior Ramon is surprised by Edison International officials and his mother on March 20, after being named a 2026 Edison Scholar.