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William R Smith Foundation awards 6 scholarships to high school seniors
scholar smith
From left are Jesse Mobius (Secretary, WRSF), Pia Calub (2024 recipient), Gabriel Calub (2021 recipient), and William R. Smith (President and Founder, WRSF).

In its fourth year, The William R Smith Foundation awarded six scholarships to deserving high school students for the 2023/24 school year.  Congratulations to the following recipients:

  • Pia Marie Calub, Lathrop High School — planning to attend Cal Tech to pursue a career in Mechanical Engineering.
  • Manjot Kaur, Lathrop High School — planning to attend Sacramento State to pursue a career in Mechanical Engineering.
  • Christian Nguyen, Manteca High School — planning to attend U.C. Berkeley to pursue a career in Chemical Biology.
  • Tania Nayyar, Kimball High School — planning to attend U.C. Davis to pursue a career in Neurobiology.
  • Sharan Subramanian, Merrill West High School —planning to attend UCLA to pursue a career in Electrical Engineering.
  • Tyler Adams, Bellaire High School —- planning to attend the University of Houston to pursue a career in the Medical Field.

The William R Smith Foundation was founded in 2021 by Lathrop High School alum, and 2019 Salutatorian, William R. Smith. 

His hope is to sponsor extraordinary high school graduates as they begin their education in the STEM field.  The William R Smith Foundation sponsors students who pursue any form of education in the STEM field, from college to the trades. 

 The Foundation is currently funded by Smith’s family and friends. 

The goal of the Foundation for the 2024-25 scholarship season is to grow support within the community to raise scholarship amounts.  The Foundation received one of its first business donations this year from Redi-Mark in Manteca and hopes that other local businesses may follow with the same generosity.  Tax deductible donations can be made through their website at www.williamrsmithfoundation.org.

 Smith is currently serving in the United States Navy on the USS Cheyenne while simultaneously continuing his own education.

He received his Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Energy Engineering Technology from Thomas Edison State University in October 2022 and his Master's degree in Engineering Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in March 2024.

Foundation Secretary Jesse Mobius also earned education accolades this year earning his Bachelor's degree in History from San Diego State University in May 2024.