WHITTIER – Pioneer High School senior Oscar Antonio has been honored as a 2022 Dell Scholar by the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, an award that comes with a $20,000 scholarship spread over four years, textbook credit and a laptop to support Antonio as he pursues his post-secondary education goals.

Antonio, a high-achieving student with a 4.3 GPA and Summa Cum Laude honor, will also have access to Dell Scholars Connect, a mentoring program that offers academic support from other scholarship recipients. Upon graduating high school, Antonio hopes to attend either California State University, Los Angeles, the University of La Verne or California State University, Long Beach and obtain a degree in accounting.

“When I found out I had been selected as a Dell Scholar, I couldn’t contain how happy I was,” Antonio said. “I am excited to start this new chapter in my life and I would like to thank everyone who was a part of making this happen for me. I look forward to the opportunities that are to come thanks to this incredible scholarship.”

Since his freshman year, Antonio has received straight As and has taken six honor classes and eight Advanced Placement (AP) classes. Antonio pushed through the obstacles presented by distance learning during the 2020-21 school year and took AP calculus, English, U.S. history and honors chemistry.

As an active participant in the school’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program since freshman year, Antonio said he was prepared early on with the tools and resources needed to apply to universities and be college- and career-ready. Pioneer High School AVID Coordinator Dyan Acevedo said Antonio would attend Saturday school, take part in workshops, and even seek extra help during nutrition and lunch periods to ensure he was on track for graduation and scholarship opportunities.

“AVID has provided Oscar with the confidence to continue his education and excel in the next chapter of his life,” Acevedo said. “I have known Oscar since his freshman year, and I have seen the countless hours and hard work he put into his academics. I was overjoyed when we received the news about his scholarship, and I know it will truly make an impact on his life. The Dell Scholarship is well deserved.”

Antonio credits Pioneer’s Regional Occupation Classes for helping him identify which career he wants to pursue after graduation, as well as the school’s Leo’s club, Cybersecurity club and Science club for helping him discover his passions.

“We are so proud of Oscar and all of the things he has accomplished while being a student here at Pioneer High School,” Principal Lilia Bozigian said. “During his time at Pioneer High School, Oscar has overcome obstacles and pushed himself academically, and we cannot wait to see what is in store for him.”

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WUHSD_SCHOLAR1: Pioneer High School senior Oscar Antonio has received a $20,000 scholarship from the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation.