Scholarships Prepare Students for the Sea Ahead

One graduating senior from any Colton Joint Unified School District Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) program could walk away with $500 cash at the end of his or her high school career. This year, the $500 cash scholarship is being given to a qualifying graduating senior courtesy of CJUSD Board Member Randall Ceniceros and his son, Cameren. "We want to give back to our kids by offering cash so they can buy textbooks, a laptop, put a down-payment on a car or travel to out of state college," said CJUSD Trustee Randall Ceniceros. "Whether they choose to serve in the military or attend college, we want to assist their efforts." The Ceniceros family is continuing to financially assist CJUSD NJROTC seniors, after awarding two $500 cash scholarships last year. The family also has a stake in the school district's NJROTC program, with Ceniceros's son Cameren being a 2014 graduate of Bloomington High School and a former NJROTC student. Currently, Cameren attends the University of California, San Diego, where he participates in the NROTC program. He is a Navy midshipman and is studying computer engineering. "The NJROTC program emphasizes citizenship and leadership development, as well as our maritime heritage, the significance of sea power, and naval topics such as the fundamentals of naval operations, seamanship, navigation and meteorology. Classroom instruction is augmented throughout the year by community service activities, drill competition and field meets," Ceniceros said. Tina Petersen, principal at Bloomington High School, said the "scholarship is an exciting opportunity for our students. Cameren was a 2014 graduate of Bloomington High School (BHS). He excelled academically and as a leader in our outstanding NJROTC program. We are proud of his accomplishments at BHS as well as his continued success in college. We look forward to honoring future students with this scholarship provided by the Ceniceros family in Cameren’s honor." Applications may be picked up from a high school counselor or NJROTC instructor. Eligible students are senior NJROTC members with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants will submit a 250 word essay on why they believe they have earned the scholarship, a completed application signed by a school counselor or NJROTC instructor, and will provide an official copy of their transcripts. Application packets may be mailed to 15862 Falcon Court, Fontana, CA 92337 and must be postmarked no later than midnight on April 4. A committee comprised of Grand Terrace Councilman Bill Hussey, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps; Tony Baca, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps living in Fontana; and Stacey Ehresmann of Bloomington will select the scholarship awardee. The plan is to extend the scholarship to a graduating CJUSD senior who is also an NJROTC student or who has an immediate family member serving actively in the military or in the reserves, Ceniceros shared. Applications for the scholarship are now available and the cash award, a certificate and a commemorative plaque will be awarded to the scholarship winner at Senior Awards Night later this year.