Eleven $10,000 Milken Scholars Awards Go to Standout LA County Students

Published 07/10/2025 in Program Updates

Written 07/10/2025

2025 class members embody “Lifelong Leaders for a Better World”

Santa Monica, Calif., (July 10, 2025) — Today, eleven exceptional LA County high school seniors have been announced as 2025 Milken Scholars, gaining a multitude of cheerleaders and a lifetime of support in college, career and life. The scholarship Program, a joint initiative of the Milken Institute and the Milken Family Foundation, honors high school seniors in Los Angeles County; Washington, D.C.; and New York City each year with a $10,000 cash prize and lifelong access to college advising, career counseling, internship assistance, community service opportunities, and a fund to help with graduate school applications, unpaid internships, study abroad programs, and other costs associated with their pursuit of a career.

The 2025 LA Milken Scholars are: 

• Emely Cardenas, Maywood Center for Enriched Studies, Yale
• Alyssa Finigan, Mira Costa High School, Barnard College
• Michael Isayan, North Hollywood High School, Harvard
• Justin Lam, Alhambra High School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  
• Leonardo “Leo” Lopez, Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School, Princeton 
• Esther Madar, Milken Community School, Reichman University
• Hayk Poghosyan, Verdugo Hills High School, Princeton
• Photini Nour Qarmout, Students On Academic Rise (SOAR) High School, Claremont McKenna College
• Samantha Simms, Milken Community School, University of California, Los Angeles
• Charles Simon, Venice High School, University of Southern California
• Max Straus, Oakwood Secondary School, The University of Chicago

The Milken Scholars Program was established in 1989 by Mike and Lori Milken. After completing a rigorous nomination, application and interview process, Milken Scholars are selected based on academic performance, community service, leadership, and their ability to persevere in the face of personal challenges. Past recipients include inaugural poet Amanda Gorman; Ruben Harutunian, treasurer of the board of the Binational Fulbright Commission in Egypt and minister-counselor for public diplomacy at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo; Dr. Joelle Simpson, chief of emergency medicine at Children’s National Hospital; and award-winning entrepreneur Emanuel Yekutiel.

“Lori and I are sincerely heartened by the nearly 600 Milken Scholars over the past 35 years whose dedication and pursuit of excellence embody the program’s mission of inspiring Lifelong Leaders for a Better World,” said Mike Milken.

The LA County Milken Scholars Program Alumni and community members will gather later this month to celebrate the 2025 LA County Scholars at an annual Recognition Ceremony. The event will be part of a larger three-day summit, where LA County Scholars will be joined by fellow 2025 Milken Scholars from New York City and Washington, D.C., as well as undergraduates and alumni facilitators in fields across all industries. Students will gain insight and guidance from speakers, panels and activities while discussing the Summit theme, Toward a Flourishing Future, and learning more about the support structure they will receive throughout their college careers and beyond. Access to such resources creates a setting that propels these exceptional youth into a position where they can achieve their personal, academic and professional goals and, in the process, become “Lifelong Leaders for a Better World.”

Mike and Lori Milken founded the Milken Scholars Program to promote and assist exceptional youth as they navigate the transitions from high school to college and from college to graduate school or the world of work. As of 2025, the program reaches nearly 600 students representing more than 80 countries of origin since its first 1989 class.

Milken Scholars represent a variety of backgrounds, experiences and academic and professional interests, and are admitted to top colleges and universities. Twenty-four percent were born outside the U.S. and 78% have parents originating from over 80 countries. More than half are among the first generation in their family to attend college, while 46% are the first in their family to attend college in the U.S. The class of 2025 is one of the most diverse yet, representing 16 countries spanning North America and the Caribbean, Central America, South America, West Africa, Northeast Africa, the Middle East, Northern Eurasia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia.

MEET THE 2025 LA MILKEN SCHOLARS

Emely Cardenas
Yale

A graduate of Maywood Center for Enriched Studies (MaCES) and her class valedictorian, Emely Cardenas is a voice for the underserved, fiercely advocating for environmental justice and tech equity for all. Through her school’s Roots and Shoots club—dedicated to environmental and humanitarian causes—she worked to improve air and water quality in Los Angeles and distributed free food to families throughout the city. As president of the Computer Science Honor Society, she led lively workshops, hosted a communitywide computer science fair, and infused social media—the ultimate equalizer—into tech education.

Emely’s academic prowess led her to become captain of academic decathlon in both 11th and 12th grades, a three-time LAUSD bronze medalist overall and the highest-scoring decathlon student at MaCES. Deeply rooted in her Hispanic heritage, she is a National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar and received the LAUSD and California Department of Education Seal of Biliteracy. Emely served as a scorekeeper and community liaison for MaCES’ First Tech High School and Robotics club, where she documented robot construction and programming for the competition journal and promoted joy of STEM. As a member of the National Honor Society, she worked as a math specialist helping to increase students’ proficiency. She was also recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction.

Finding fulfillment and purpose in selfless acts of kindness, Emely is committed to volunteerism with organizations such as the Red Cross, where she coordinated and participated in an on-campus Health Fair that provided free screenings for community members. As founder and president of MaCES’ Crochet Club, she led a safe space where students in sixth through 12th grades learned to crochet as a way to “express and destress,” then donated the pieces to people in need.

Emely will pursue environmental engineering at Yale.

Alyssa Finigan
Barnard College

To restore the legacy of her family name, Alyssa Finigan gleans wisdom from her setbacks and successes to advocate for youth mental health and justice of the law. A graduate of Mira Costa High School, she hopes to break into the political sphere to improve the criminal justice system. Through California Boys and Girls State, Alyssa served as sergeant of arms for the California State Assembly and passed the mock California Bar, allowing her to work as an attorney. Navigating these systems firsthand inspired Alyssa to pursue a career in law and strive to be a peacemaker in the world around her.

Alyssa was named a 2024 National AP Scholar with Distinction, member of the National Honor Society, and California Scholarship Federation awardee. As a result of her leadership starting a Model U.N. youth program and serving as an Introduction to Model U.N. teacher’s assistant, she received nine Advanced Best Delegate Awards, ranked second in wins out of 170 students, and placed in the top three for awards at over 20 conferences.

Alyssa’s deep roots in her community are evident in her role as a youth speaker at city council meetings, which led to her receipt of the Committed to Community youth award. As co-lead of the Beach Cities Health District Youth Advisory Council, she served as an ambassador for the allcove youth mental health center—welcoming over 1,000 visitors—and advocated for expanded youth mental health resources. At Red Shield Tutoring, she facilitated lessons for students in underserved areas, and with the Coding for Change club, she brought a technology program to a local school and taught youth valuable coding skills.

Alyssa will study sociology and international relations at Barnard College.

Michael Isayan
Harvard 

By overcoming chronic illness and stepping up to be a caregiver for his father, Michael Isayan is determined to broaden access to life-saving medical care by leveraging local government to make tangible change. The North Hollywood High School graduate secured $350,000 for automated external defibrillator (AED) expansion, the device that saved his father's life after a cardiac arrest. As a TEDxNHHS Youth speaker, he championed city public safety reform centered on his defibrillator policy advocacy, and as a L.A. City Youth councilmember, he proposed programs for developing public infrastructure.

Beyond advocacy, Michael exemplifies academic excellence. He was named a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist, an AP scholar with Distinction and a John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Contest Certificate of Excellence recipient. He also received the John Locke Global Essay Competition Commendation for his essay on free and fair elections, achieving a top ranking among 19,000 essay submissions. A born leader, Michael was the co-captain of the National Moot Court where students studied affirmative action and Supreme Court case law; the team’s membership doubled during his tenure. As the founder and president of his school’s National History Day, Michael was a three-time state finalist for his projects on the Nuremberg Trials, President Nixon’s rapprochement with China and international law in the South Caucasus.

A pillar in his community, Michael served on two LAUSD Advisory Councils as vice president of the Multilingual-Multicultural Advisory Council and a district representative to the school safety and climate committee. He helped raise $1.2 million by advocating for civics education development for the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. He also interned for California Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, connecting constituents with state aid services.

Michael will study government and economics at Harvard and plans a career in law.

Justin Lam
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Through his combination of student leadership, service, and empathy, Alhambra High School graduate Justin Lam aims to leave a lasting impact on the community. He understands that leadership is more than demonstrating strength in skills; it is also about setting goals, embracing challenges, and mentoring and bringing out the best in others. This is clear in his roles as president of premier math and finance clubs, a talented communicator, dedicated student body leader, and upstanding citizen.

As president of Alhambra High’s Future Business Leaders of America, Justin placed as a finalist in Nationals. He also received second place in the Moonshot Pirates Shape the Future Challenge, where his team used a convolutional neural network to map and quantify urban heat islands, surpassing 105 teams from 90 countries. As president of the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) club—the largest on campus—Justin led over 100 students in programming and annual competitions. His successes are also reflected in his selection as a 2024 Los Laureados Awardee—the highest senior honor—an AP Scholar with Distinction, and graduation speaker.

When he was not competing, Justin could be found on campus helping to execute grade-specific activities as vice president of the student council. His eloquence shined as captain of the award-winning Speech and Debate team, where he helped members articulate ideas passionately and persuasively.

As an Eagle Scout, Justin created a Little Free Library in front of a local elementary school, bringing his community together and fostering opportunities for literacy development. He also helped organize a leadership retreat, conservation and e-waste recycling campaign, and the collection of more than 300 gallon-bags of clothing for a drive.

Justin will study math and finance at MIT and plans a career in investment banking or private equity.

Leonardo "Leo" Lopez
Princeton 

Driven to improve himself and others, Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School graduate Leonardo “Leo” Lopez makes a significant difference in the world around him. Since emigrating from Mexico, Leonardo seizes every opportunity to blaze his own path—whether becoming valedictorian, completing concurrent courses at East Los Angeles College, or becoming his school’s first Los Angeles County Office of Education Math Field Day champion. His competitiveness serves him well as a USA Powerlifting Barbell Brigade Spring Challenge champion and national qualifier. Weaving in his entrepreneurial spirit, Leonardo served as president of his school’s Weightlifting Club and as his school’s student body treasurer—spearheading creative fundraisers, selling merchandise, and coordinating blood drives.

Leonardo is an AP Scholar with Distinction, an HSF Scholar, and Gates Scholarship finalist. Dedicated to uplifting his school community, he served as a Local School Leadership Council and School Site Council student representative, Bravo summer bridge leader, and interned for LAUSD through LA’s BEST Afterschool Enrichment Program. He held another internship through UNITE-LA’s Tech Pathways Academy, where he completed professional certifications in areas like product management, software development, generative AI and workforce readiness.

Passionate about advocating for reproductive and sexual health, Leonardo was an HIV Education and Empowerment youth cohort leader at The Wellness Center, where he developed and performed in an HIV destigmatization play targeted towards Latino youth. He is a student ambassador for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and served as his school’s Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) historian. Alongside genetic counselors and NIH-funded researchers at USC, Leonardo uncovered barriers minority patients face in declining cancer genetics trials as a research assistant at the Los Angeles General Medical Center.

Leonardo is a QuestBridge Match to Princeton, where he will study economics and plans a career in entrepreneurship.

Esther Madar
Reichman University

Two events have defined Esther Madar’s life—moving to the U.S. from Israel at just 11 years old; then, five years later, witnessing the October 7, 2023, attacks in her home country from halfway across the world. She has handled each with profound determination, grace and character. Esther challenged herself to learn English as a second language and build bridges between her communities in the U.S. and Israel, while excelling in her academics and extracurriculars. Now, a Milken Community School (MCS) graduate, Esther will be the first in her family to attend college.

Rooted in her spiritual and Jewish identity, Esther was head of the Jewish Life branch of student government and a member of the Student Advisory Committee. She received the Ahavat Yisrael Award, and Peer Recognition Award, for her work as chair of MCS’ Yozma Social Action Leadership Program, where she initiated projects such as distributing Shabbat candle kits and raising over $15,000 for MADA, Friends of the IDF, and the Jewish Federation. A participant in the American Jewish Committee’s Leaders For Tomorrow program, Esther attended the national summit in Washington, D.C., where she advocated for Israel, Jewish identity, and the fight against antisemitism. At her synagogue, The Kabbalah Center Los Angeles, she serves as class coordinator and teaches youth spiritual classes as a Roots Program mentor.

Esther is founder and president of the Lead to Success Club, organizing conversations and speaking events with leaders across a breadth of industries. She volunteers at Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles and Friendship Circle Los Angeles, feeding people in need and mentoring children. Esther played varsity beach volleyball and served as the Girls Division head and co-director at Michael Jonny Sports Camp.

Esther will study business administration and entrepreneurship at Reichman University and plans a career in entrepreneurship.

Hayk Poghosyan 
Princeton

In 2012, Hayk Poghosyan learned to embrace positive change when he moved to the U.S. from Armenia. Now, capitalizing on his various passions, Hayk finds unique ways to make a difference as a tutor, community service leader, and artist. After earning the nickname “Mr. American” at an Armenian summer camp due to his expert help with translation and homework review, Hayk was inspired to found the Overseas English Tutoring Camp, where he sits as president and teaches reading, writing and comprehension lessons. He utilized his roles as president of his school’s Key Club and vice president of a six-school Key Club division to revive a local art center that faced significant funding cuts after closing during COVID. Hayk’s dedication to fundraising and rallying volunteers helped restore many free community programs at the art center, earning Hayk the Bronze Service, Club of the Year, and President of the Year awards.

Valedictorian of Verdugo Hills High School, Hayk will be the first in his family to attend college. He joined and started his school’s Mathworks Modeling Challenge national team and has become an AP Scholar with Distinction. For over a year he worked as a Mathnasium tutor helping teach math to K-12 students. His aptitude for math served him well in his roles as treasurer for the Class of 2025 and his school’s STEMM Magnet Leadership club, where he developed a free Tutoring Tuesdays program and raised over $30,000 to organize senior class events.

Outside of the classroom, Hayk was on the varsity tennis team, interned for a state senator’s congressional campaign, and served on the Appellate Court for YMCA Youth and Government.

Hayk will study electrical engineering and philosophy at Princeton and plans a career as a patent attorney.

Photini Nour Qarmout 
Claremont McKenna College 

An Arab immigrant and the eldest of her siblings, Photini Nour Qarmout is accustomed to carrying several responsibilities on her shoulders while shattering barriers—including being the first in her family to attend college. An advocate for underrepresented, low-income students, Photini helps organize citywide events through IMPACT with the City of Lancaster, earning mayoral scholarships for her community leadership. As a Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA) Scholar, she received a grant for inspiring local teens to explore STEM opportunities and careers without barriers. Her initiative grew into the nonprofit STEM Spark Foundation, garnering nationwide support from household brands and offering the first STEM Spark Festival in April 2025 free of charge.

A graduate of Student On Academic Rise (SOAR) High School, and of Antelope Valley College with three associates degrees, Photini is an Elks Scholar, Antelope Valley College Foundation Scholar and Antelope Valley Press Future Leaders Scholar. At SOAR, Photini led her peers as Associated Student Body board president and Mock Trial/Speech team captain, where she guided an award-winning team and landed Honor Court recognition and two MVP awards. She is founder and president of Future Medical Students Club, hosts blood drives, delivers health presentations, and interned at the AV Neuroscience Medical Group. Currently, she has been engaging in research in the form of literature reviews on neurogenerative diseases and future treatments. In May, she received the AV Medical Auxiliary scholarship to support a future career in medicine.

Photini is an active volunteer and taught Sunday school at Saint Constantine and Hellenic Greek Orthodox Church. She also works to bridge relationships between law enforcement officers and local youth as vice chair of the Sheriff’s Youth Advisory Committee.

Photini will study neuroscience and public health policy at Claremont McKenna College and plans a career as a neurosurgeon.

Samantha Simms
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Samantha Simms never sought out to be a trailblazer – but after being diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), finding new ways to pursue her passions became paramount. A lifelong dancer and member of the Los Angeles Ballet Academy’s Youth Ballet Theater and the Milken Dance Company, Samantha passed five Royal Academy of Dance Ballet exams with distinction and competed regionally and nationally. Dance was always her safe haven until POTS began severely impacting her tolerance for physical activity. Forced to give up competing, Samantha pivoted and kept dance in her life, working as a teaching assistant serving special needs dancers at Ballet For All Kids. Then, channeling her energy into POTS research and advocacy, she founded the Women’s Health Research Club at Milken Community School. Embracing her newfound passion for healthcare, Samantha used her position as president to fundraise for nonprofits, such as Women’s Health Action Matters, and advocate for female representation in research studies and clinical trials.

Samantha is a National Merit Paramount Scholar and AP Scholar. She served as a National Honor Society tutor and Brown Precollege Program participant. After petitioning to take AP physics a year early as a sophomore, she realized men far outnumbered women in the class. She took the matter to the Girl Talk Club, where she served as president and secretary, and created her school’s first Course Discovery Fair to give female students the opportunity to explore more STEM and AP courses.

Samantha volunteers at Wise Readers to Leaders as a teen board advisor and supports underserved youth literacy programs. She was also a member of Diller Teen Fellows—a yearlong Jewish leadership program.

Samantha will study molecular, cellular and developmental biology at UCLA and plans a career in healthcare.

Charles Simon
University of Southern California (USC) 

With his world turned upside down after the tragic loss of his father to a rare, aggressive form of cancer, Charles Simon emerged more determined than ever to join the world’s ongoing fight against the complex disease. While finding a cure will take time, Charles is already getting involved in cancer research, forming treatment plans, and hands-on training. He was one of only eight elite students across the country chosen to participate in an Ellison Medical Institute internship, which allowed him to learn the foundations of cancer research and work alongside scientists to practice diagnosing and treating mock patients. Charles’ goal for the future is making patients’ cancer treatments more personalized, in hopes of saving as many lives as possible and lessening the kind of suffering endured by his father.

Charles is an AP Scholar with Distinction, California Scholarship Federation Delphian Honor Society Life Member, National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar, and National African American Recognition Program Scholar. He received a Jacket of Excellence at Venice High School, where he was co-captain of distance track and field and cross country, a state finalist in 4x800m and a state finalist varsity basketball player.

Extending his passion for healthcare and sports, Charles is a talented athletic trainer. He served as secretary and assistant trainer on his school’s sports medicine team and interned at West Coast Sports Medicine Foundation, where he has performed preventative care, physical therapy, emergency response, CPR and AED trainings and certifications for aspiring athletic trainers and other athletes. Additionally, he interned at Agron Accessories –Adidas, where he learned the stages of athletic product development, then designed and pitched his own product to the team.

Charles will study biomedical engineering at the University of Southern California and plans a career in oncology.

Max Straus
The University of Chicago 

At just 12 years old, Max Straus’ passion for financial literacy and mathematics ignited after learning his family was facing severe financial hardship. Desperate to help, Max took over his brother’s eBay collectible coin business and taught himself the ins and outs of order fulfillment, quality control, e-commerce basics and inventory management – all while reselling video game consoles on the side to earn extra cash. Despite facing a scary situation, his love of learning flourished, leading him to become a Mathnasium tutor and Khan Academy SAT math bootcamp leader. Seeking to lessen the youth financial literacy gap, Max co-founded the Applying Math Club to share his financial knowledge with classmates during lunch meetings. His efforts continued outside of school, where he co-founded the Tutor Together Discord Server and established a free online community of more than 50,000 tutors and students.

A champion student leader at Oakwood Secondary School, Max served as an ambassador on the Student Admissions Committee, and led the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Invention Challenge Team to two back-to-back state championship titles in NASA’s annual JPL competition. Additionally, he was co-captain and main character witness on the Oakwood’s Mock Trial Team and interned for mobile app startup “Takeoff,” where he used his knowledge of Discord Server management to grow engagement.

Oakwood’s Community Youth Partnership chapter is another passion of Max’s: he was a science student teacher to local LAUSD students for two years, then spent his final two years helping to rebuild the program after it faced closure. Max also founded the Oakwood division of Chords2Cure, where he organized fundraisers for pediatric cancer research.

Max will study mathematics at the University of Chicago and plans a career in quantitative trading.

About the Milken Scholars

Michael and Lori Milken founded the Milken Scholars in 1989 to honor exceptional young individuals who have demonstrated the potential to make a profound difference in the world. Scholars are chosen while high school seniors on the basis of distinguished academic performance, school and community service, leadership, and evidence of having overcome personal, financial, and/or social obstacles. Milken Scholars receive financial assistance plus a strong support system of resources and networks during their academic and professional careers. For more information, visit www.MilkenScholars.org.

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