Chanya Nguyen, a senior at Santa Cruz High School, is the recipient of the prestigious Barbara J. Thompson Scholarship. Despite nearing graduation, Nguyen still considers herself a lover of both math and language subjects. Throughout her high school career, she was actively involved in various clubs such as the Women’s Honor Society, Poetry Club, and STEM Club. She was also instrumental in starting the Women in STEM Club, aimed at providing resources for students interested in STEM fields. Nguyen’s passion for science led her to volunteer at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, where she guides visitors and learns about marine science. She also had the opportunity to shadow a biologist at Santa Cruz Biotechnology. Nguyen will be attending UC Berkeley in the fall to study biology, with the goal of pursuing a career in the medical field to help improve access to healthcare. She is excited to be part of a new community and deepen her knowledge in STEM subjects.
