Paramount, CA – Paramount High School senior Fernanda Corona’s passion for helping others fuels her pursuit of biomedical engineering.

Corona’s hard work in the classroom, inspired by her dream of one day creating affordable medical services for patients, has paid off in a big way as she is one of 30 high school students from across the Southland to receive $40,000 STEM college scholarships from Edison International. Corona received the news while at home via Skype during a surprise announcement on March 26.

“It was overwhelming to receive the news. It made me feel like all of my hard work has been worth it,” Corona said. “I have received a lot of help from teachers, coaches, counselors and fellow students throughout the years. I’m very thankful to everyone.”

Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison, annually awards $1.2 million in scholarships to 30 high school seniors pursuing majors in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields at four-year universities. Each $40,000 scholarship will be paid over four years.

Corona was selected from more than 2,000 applicants to the Edison Scholars program. At the top of her class with a 4.5 GPA, Corona is choosing between a list of colleges that includes John Hopkins University, Yale, Columbia, Duke, University of California, Berkley, UCLA and USC. Corona said the surrounding communities of each school will weigh heavily on her decision as she would like to live in an exciting city.

A Paramount city native, Corona’s own environment has always been humbling. She said the experience of growing up in a trailer park motivated her to create bigger opportunities so that she could expand her world.

“My parents have always encouraged me to follow my dreams and make my own path,” Corona said. “I’m inspired by how hard they have always worked to create a life for me and my two siblings.”

Corona will be the first member of her family to attend college, though her interests extend beyond academics. She is a distance runner for the PHS cross country and track teams, and tutors homeless children through the Schools on Wheels non-profit organization.

“Fernanda is such a talented student who is always willing to share her time with her community,” Paramount Unified Superintendent Ruth Pérez said. “She is a shining example of what can be achieved through teamwork and a commitment to excellence.”

Corona is of particular inspiration to Paramount as she has spent her entire academic career in the District, attending Roosevelt and Lincoln elementary schools as well as Paramount Park Middle School.

“We are all so proud of what Fernanda has accomplished; she is more than deserving of recognition from the Edison Scholar program,” Paramount Unified Board President Vivian Hansen said. “As Fernanda moves successfully through the next stages of her life, she’ll serve as a great ambassador for our District.”

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041318_PARAMOUNT_EDISONSCHOLAR: Paramount High School senior Fernanda Corona is one of 30 high school students from across the Southland to receive $40,000 STEM college scholarships from Edison International.