Bob DeLorenzo Memorial Scholarship Recipients
2025 - Ella Papac
Ella Papac graduated from Torrance High School in the class of 2025 and is committed to the University of California San Diego. Ella will be majoring in marine biology as it is her passion to work with marine mammals. At Torrance High, Ella was awarded the academic achievement award for mathematics, science, and art her senior year. She was Secretary of CSF and was involved in Kiwins and Baking for a Cause. Outside academics, Ella played for Varsity Girls Water Polo and Varsity Swimming, making it to CIF for each in her senior year. Ella volunteered and works for Camp Emerald Bay, a Scouting camp on Catalina Island, and has earned the Gold Presidential Service Award from her time there. She has also obtained her Eagle Scout Award from her time in Scouting and founded the only all-female Sea Scout Ship in Marina Del Rey. Ella is very excited to explore marine biology at Scripps Institution of Oceanography!
2024 - Molly Chen
Molly's 2025 Update
I did a lot of new things this year at CPP, including my first job as a campus tour guide! I built a Cryptography Capture-The-Flag (CTF) focused on hash-cracking that I presented at CPP’s Cyber Club SWIFT, Walnut High’s Women in STEM Fair, and SWIFT’s Tech Symposium. I competed in many cyber competitions like the SoCal Cyber Cup and the National Cyber League, fighting off live red team hackers. As the Intern Lead, I’m helping SWIFT launch more projects like my Cryptography CTF and I’m excited to work with so many amazing students. As I complete Hash-Cracking Research at Coastline College this summer, I feel a lot more stable in my cybersecurity ability.
I notably attended New York Model UN, visiting the real United Nations and receiving Outstanding Delegation for my performance as Mexico’s UNESCO Delegate. I hope to bring my skills in public speaking and advocacy to a Student Gov position. I also danced with CPP’s Bollywood Dance Team Tamanna–learning the tricky steps of Bharatanatyam, attending Garba/Diwali, and dancing at the National Desi Dance League. Finally, I did some projects with CPP’s Data Analytics Team and learned to make ethernet cables with the Student Data Center. Under the Kellogg Honors College, I had a lot of fun scaring children as a volunteer for a Haunted House. Around campus, I got to meet some pretty cool people, horses, cows, bunnies, cats, and sheep. I love sheep. Overall, I’m looking forward to my next year!
Molly's Initial Overview 2024
Molly Chen graduated from Torrance High School in the class of 2024. She is committed to Cal Poly Pomona (CPP) for Computer Information Systems. At Torrance High, Molly was Academic Decathlon Captain and earned 19 medals, received the Engineering Academic Achievement Award, acted in 3 plays, competed in Science Olympiad, placed 1st in UCLA’s DataRes x IDS Datathon, and spoke at her graduation. Outside of school, Molly placed 2nd in LA Metro’s Transportation Career Academy Program, 2nd in the Optimist Oratorical Contest, and 1st in the Kryptos Cryptanalysis Challenge. Molly continues to use her voice for good as a volunteer publicizing the Western Museum of Flight’s Women in Aerospace Department and a startup intern under ASPIRE’s Youth Development Program. Molly plans to compete in and research cybersecurity in CPP’s Kellogg Honors College..
2023 - Taeyoung "Teddy" Chun
Teddy's 2025 Update
My sophomore year at Santa Clara University was exciting. I had the opportunity to meet new people and professors who helped me grow and inspired me to pursue engineering more. I have received the opportunity to have a tour of the big technology companies up in San Jose, to my school, and the program I am in. I really enjoyed my time here this year more, and I really enjoyed Thermodynamics thanks to my professor, and I also got to learn more about Dynamics as well. Thanks to my classes this year, I have been improving in coding and can do more projects, and I am excited for what awaits me next school year.
Teddy's 2024 Update
My first year at Santa Clara University was unexpected. I was scared for the adventures that would occur and all the challenges I would face. As I expected, Physics and Chemistry were difficult. I had a hard time with these subjects, but I took advantage of all the resources around me and managed to do well in these classes and others. I also learned how to CAD using SolidWorks and be able to make parts that I could imagine. I also had a chance to make projects in my Engineering Lab class. I worked with a team of 3 to make a more affordable substitute for the smart trash cans. I had a really fun time learning how to use Arduino to make this project to function. I am excited for the next school year and can't wait to explore more into Mechanical engineering...
Teddy's Initial Overview 2023
Taeyoung (Teddy) Chun graduated from Torrance High School in the class of 2023 and is committed to Santa Clara University. Teddy will be majoring in mechanical engineering. At Torrance High, Teddy was awarded the President’s Award for Educational Excellence and the academic achievement award for science. Outside of school, Teddy was awarded the Gold Presidential Award from Hwarang Youth Foundation for 4 consecutive years for volunteering over 1200 hours. Teddy received 1st place in the MIT CubeSat Challenge during his junior year. Teddy also was in the tennis doubles CIF for 3 consecutive years. Teddy hopes to graduate college and be able to create a technology that will help clean the beaches.
2022 - Matthew Michaelian
Matthew Michaelian
Matthew's 2025 Update
This past year I was able to expand my learning in a variety of different areas. One of my favorite extracurricular activities included working as an Aerodynamics engineer for the UCI Anteater Formula Racing Team. On the team I worked to optimize the downforce and drag of the rear wing with respect to the car. This opportunity allowed me to explore my passion for fluid mechanics in a tangible way. I additionally started working as a researcher in the Directed Energy Department in the hydrogen fuel cell space. In this field, I work to optimize the function of Hydrogen fuel cells at high temperature. I am happy to be able to contribute to energy sustainability efforts.
On a professional level, I was able to return to Northrop Grumman as a college technical summer intern in the cryocooler group. The cryocooler team works to create thermal systems for space applications to support vehicle function. My role in particular has been to optimize manufacturing flow by cutting inefficiencies. I am so thankful to work at Northrop Grumman with so many amazing teammates.
Academically, my third year of engineering was challenging but not without fun. I enjoyed several classes, including applied engineering thermodynamics and fluid mechanics III. These courses required significant attention to detail, but allowed me to deepen my knowledge base. When I was not studying, I enjoyed exploring beaches in Corona Del Mar and Laguna Beach with my friends.
Going into my final year of school, I am thrilled to continue learning and growing with all of the opportunities that UCI has to offer!
Matthew's 2024 Update
In my sophomore year of college at UCI I was able to push myself both academically and personally. As a mechanical engineering student I took a variety of courses including thermodynamics, dynamics and material science. These courses were challenging but allowed me to grow my technical skills. On the UCI Rocket Project Liquids Team, I added value by serving as the corporate outreach representative. In my role, I helped the launch vehicle, propulsion and avionics subteams attain the materials needed. This opportunity showed me a passion for space exploration vehicles and grew my love for business. These experiences have increased my desire to pursue a Masters of Business Administration after my undergraduate degree. My interest in fluid mechanics has led me to join the UCI AFR (Anteater Formula Racing) team as the aerodynamics specialist. Additionally, I was able to join Northrop Grumman this summer as a Cryocooler technical intern.
Outside of my technical growth, I have had so much fun taking on extracurricular endeavors. On the leadership team for CRU, a Christian club on campus, I enjoyed planning out social events to foster community. I also served as the director of choreography for a short film that I created to engage my love of storytelling and cinema. I enjoy working out and am planning on taking on Mt. Whitney this summer.
Overall, my first two years have gone by at a dizzying pace and have left me excited for the next two to come.
Matthew's 2023 Update
My first year in college was my best year of education. I found myself at the end of the third quarter not wanting to leave school for the summer which is a sentiment that I would never have dreamed of thinking. At UCI, I was able to take advantage of a variety of resources in order to grow academically and socially. I joined the Armenian Student Association and a christian organization called CRU. In both clubs I was able to make friends and get plugged into campus life. I enjoyed the relationships I built at CRU and successfully ran for a board position. Related to my major in mechanical engineering, I joined the management team for UCI’s solid fuel rocket project. I am excited to get involved in this project in order to advance my technical skills and to network with industry professionals. Through one of my professors, I was able to meet an executive of CORK, a tech insurance startup company and landed an internship for this upcoming summer. Academically, this year was challenging but pushed me to adapt and grow intellectually. I learned the value of study groups, going to the library and working at odd hours to get to the finish line. In one project based class I worked as the fabrication lead to produce an automated rover that was the fourth fastest out of 40 teams in preliminary competition. I am excited for next year to continue pursuing my passion for engineering while broadening my involvement in campus organizations.
Matthew's Initial Overview 2022
Matthew Michaelian graduated from Torrance High School in the class of 2022 and is committed to the University of California Irvine. Matthew will be majoring in mechanical engineering and has a passion for biomedical engineering. At Torrance High Matthew was awarded the academic achievement award for mathematics his sophomore, junior and senior year as well the award for engineering his senior year. Outside the classroom, Matthew was the pioneer league champion in 300 meter hurdles and finished fifth place in CIF Finals his junior year. He interned at the Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation and was an active participant in Rolling Hills Covenant Church. Matthew hopes to be a part of a biomedical startup to pursue his passions for engineering and medicine.