Area of Impact

Youth Programs

Youth Scholarships 

The Exchange Club of Newport Harbor is proud to support local youth through two distinguished annual scholarship programs: the Youth of the Year Award and the Accepting the Challenge of Excellence (ACE) Award. Each program recognizes exceptional high school students who exemplify the values of academic dedication, personal growth, and community involvement.

The Youth of the Year Award honors high-achieving high school seniors who demonstrate outstanding academic success, leadership, and a commitment to volunteerism and community service.

Award Details:

Purpose: To celebrate students who are academically accomplished and actively engaged in making a positive difference in their communities.

  • Open to graduating seniors from our partner high schools.
  • Applicants submit an essay provided by the National Exchange Club.
  • Candidate applications are judged by our Review Committee.
  • Winners receive a scholarship of $3,000 and are recognized at our annual Youth Awards Luncheon.
  • Our Club’s winners, one male and one female from each high school, advance to compete at the district level for additional scholarship opportunities.

Winners:

 

  • Corona del Mar – Emily Hands
  • Costa Mesa – Ian Encarnacion and India Howerton
  • Early College – Audrey Nguyenhuu and Toby Nguyen
  • Estancia – Marcos Kehoe and Landry Harder
  • Newport Harbor – John O’Brien and Kimberely Sales

Accepting the challenge of excellence (aCE) Award

The ACE Award recognizes high school seniors who have faced and overcome significant life challenges yet have continued to pursue their education and personal development with determination and resilience.

Award Details:

Purpose: To honor students who exemplify courage, perseverance, and transformation in the face of adversity.Open to graduating seniors who have dramatically improved in attitude, behavior, and academic performance.

    • Nominated by school counselors or teachers.
    • Applicants share their personal story of overcoming adversity through an essay.
    • Multiple students are selected annually from our partner high schools to receive scholarships at our ACE Awards Luncheon.
    • Our Club’s winners, one male and one female from each high school, advance to compete at the district level for a chance to receive additional scholarships.
Winners: 
 
Back Bay
    • Eden Fox
    • Jonathan Herrera Cantarella
    • Julissa Guadarrama
    • Pierre Sandoval Rodriguez
    • Stephanie Lopez
Corona del Mar – Sophia Aghakhani
Costa Mesa – AJ Hofstad and Mia Ramirez-Segura
Early College – Josselyne C. Lopez Lemus
Estancia – Alexa Madriz
Newport Harbor – Nolan Payne 

Participating Schools

We work in partnership with the following high schools:
Back Bay, Corona del Mar, Costa Mesa, Early College, Estancia, and Newport Harbor.