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Escondido teen snags $160,000 scholarship to Princeton
By: SHAYNA CHABNER - Staff Writer | ∞
Ricardo Lopez, a senior at Orange Glen High School in Escondido, was recently awarded a $160,000 scholarship from Princeton University.
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ESCONDIDO -- For most high school seniors waiting to plan their future, just receiving one college letter with the words "You're Accepted" is a relief. Add on to that, the phrase "all expenses paid," and it is a dream come true.
That is, at least, how 17-year-old Ricardo Lopez said he felt when he was recently awarded a full four-year scholarship to Princeton University.
"It was mind blowing," the Orange Glen High School senior said Thursday. "Ever since middle school, I have imagined and been working toward that moment when I would get my college acceptance."
The scholarship, worth at least $160,000, will cover Ricardo's tuition, books, and housing for his four years of college and even go toward some travel expenses, like his first trip out to visit the New Jersey campus later this year.
The award was promised to Ricardo in November, when he was one of 204 students selected from thousands around the country for the National College Match program. The program, run by a Palo Alto-based education foundation, aims to match high-achieving, low-income students with elite colleges.
Ricardo, who has lived in Escondido for the last nine years, is the oldest of three siblings and hopes to be the first in his family to graduate from college. His parents, he said, never had the opportunity themselves and he has learned a lot from watching their lives.
"It's just foolish not to value education," he said matter-of-factly, adding that he has watched for years as his parents "worked harder and got less because of their lack of education."
Before starting high school, Ricardo said, he made a promise to himself that he would do everything he could to make college a possibility.
As a result, the unassuming teen has managed to earn straight-A's throughout high school, which has included a number of honors courses and 12 Advanced Placement classes. He is also on pace to be the school's valedictorian in the spring.
Advanced Placement classes are college-level courses with a test that, when successfully completed, equates to college credits.
While Ricardo's intelligence and innate curiosity is evident, teachers said Friday that he is not one to brag or put himself above his peers.
"He is very available to every student who wants help," said Orange Glen math teacher Kathy Dooley.
Dooley, who has known Ricardo since his freshmen year when he first joined the Advancement via Individual Determination program, said he has always been a leader, tutoring kids and inspiring his peers and teachers with his own hard work.
Even after he graduates and heads to college in the fall, Dooley said she knows that he will continue to play a role at Orange Glen.
"He is committed to continuing as a college student to help kids back here to do what he is doing," Dooley said. "He will inspire them to do what he has done. ... He wants to take kids with him."
Contact staff writer Shayna Chabner at (760) 740-5416 or schabner@nctimes.com.
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Congratulations Ricardo! wrote on Jan 12, 2008 7:17 AM:Excellent work. I wish more of my students and others in the Hispanic community in Escondido would follow your example.
I constantly tell my students that college is attainable, as are scholarships. Also, the community colleges offer a cheaper (but still good) alternative.
I would like to know more about Ricardo and his parents, teachers, and others who helped him. Maybe he could write a letter to the NCT explaining this.
Awesome!!!
Robert24 wrote on Jan 12, 2008 8:09 AM:Awesome job, Ricardo! You should be very proud of your accomplishment. Congratulations!!
Bravo... wrote on Jan 12, 2008 10:12 AM:young man! Good things do happen to good, hard working people.
kim wrote on Jan 12, 2008 11:16 AM:So nice to hear a positive story about the young people here in Escondido. Way to go Ricardo!
Allan wrote on Jan 12, 2008 12:00 PM:Congratulations! He is definitely setting an example for other students in his school. I agree with the 7:17AM comment above.
Karla wrote on Jan 12, 2008 12:56 PM:CONGRATULATIONS!!! You worked hard, you earned it.. Pay it forward someday.
Just goes to show... wrote on Jan 12, 2008 1:31 PM:...hard work and determination is rewarded. Congrats Ricardo.
Diego wrote on Jan 12, 2008 1:36 PM:Ricardo Lopez is an outstanding student and individual. He is truly committed to making a difference in his community. All the staff at OGHS absolutely love this kid. We will really miss him at our school next year. That said, Ricardo's legacy at our school will live on in the stories we tell future students about "the kid who came in with a dream" and the willingness to put in the necessary work to accomplish that dream.
Monica wrote on Jan 12, 2008 2:25 PM:Congratulations Ricardo! Well done. I wish you continued success at Princeton.
former EUHSD employee wrote on Jan 12, 2008 2:39 PM:Good for Ricardo! Good for AVID! Good for the faculty and staff of Orange Glen High School! And good for Mr. and Mrs. Lopez and the rest of the family. May the lessons learned from his parents make the same impression on others.
MARIA wrote on Jan 13, 2008 10:23 AM:IM VERY PROUD OF YOU RICARDO!. I HOPE OTHERS FOLLOW YOUR EXAMPLE AND GET INSPIRED BY YOUR STORY ANDHOPEFULLY MAKES THEM DO THEIR BEST IN LIFE TO REACH HIGHER AND HIGHER. you make the hispanic comunnity very proud.....
L. UESHI wrote on Jan 14, 2008 1:58 PM:That's great. I'm sure a white kid with the same scores got shafted so that Princeton could brag about the amount of Hispanics and/or low income people that they accept. I'm not saying the kid wasn't amazing, but how were his qualifications better than others that go to Princeton. He was accepted for statistical reasons only; don't be so quick to be proud of him.
Chung wrote on Jan 14, 2008 5:27 PM:@ L. UESHI = Perhaps you should do some EDUCATED research before claiming that "he was accepted for statistical reasons only." How were his qualifications better? I'm taking the liberty to assume that, as a low income student, Ricardo did not have the advantage of having private tutors, SAT school, and other advantages that a "white kid with the same scores" might have had. You're a bitter ... simply put. I'm sorry that you/your kid wasn't smart enough to make it to an ivy league. OH and, on the side note, this kid got accepted to MANY OTHER high end ivy leagues as well.
Marginally Intelligent wrote on Jan 14, 2008 6:39 PM:L. Ueshi, you're right. There must be oh so many of those poor white victims with straight A's and 12 AP classes just grieving that affirmative action has struck again. After all, Hispanic students make up a whopping 7% of Princeton University. How are his qualifications better than others that go to Princeton? Well, with straight A's, his GPA is higher than Princeton's average high school GPA of 3.83. Even you can understand that, sir.
Chung C wrote on Jan 15, 2008 6:34 PM:GO RICARDO! i always knew your were/still are a genius.. you and Julie are going to have a wonderful time in New Jersey
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