Area garners most Girls Inc. awards

COSTA MESA — Elizabeth Moreno thought she was early. The Orange Coast Middle College High School senior had gotten a call from Girls Inc. asking her to come after school for a college preparation meeting, and the voice on the phone said that all the girls would be present.

Moreno hustled down to the headquarters on Anaheim Avenue and found the room empty except for a group of administrators. Instead of a college pamphlet, they handed her a bouquet of flowers — and the news that she was one of 26 Girls Inc. scholarship winners nationwide.

As staff members gathered to hug her and take her picture, Moreno, 18, fought back tears.

“It feels like I’m doing something with myself and moving up, I guess,” she said.

Moreno was one of a decorated group of Orange County girls on Monday. Every year, the national Girls Inc. office in Indiana gives out scholarships to help high school students pay for college. Four of the 26 winners this year went to the Girls Inc. location in Costa Mesa — the best showing of any site in the country.

“We did the happy dance,” said executive director Lucy Santana. “It’s just a true testament, because this scholarship process is very grueling and it becomes really emotional for everyone. Our staff members see these girls grow up through Girls Inc. It’s like watching your own daughter grow up.”

In addition to Moreno, two other Newport-Mesa girls — Arlene Catalan and Isabel Gomez of Estancia High School — got a surprise on Monday morning, as Girls Inc. administrators stopped by their classroom with certificates and flowers. The fourth Orange County winner, Alina Meza, attends Beckman High School in Irvine.

Arlene snared the top prize of $15,000, while the other three girls won $2,500 each. To compete for a scholarship, each student had to have belonged to Girls Inc. for two years or more and maintained a grade-point average of 2.7 or higher. Applicants had to write personal essays describing hurdles that they had overcome to succeed in life.

Arlene, 16, barely imagined that she would win a scholarship when she joined Girls Inc. after sixth grade. Her mother, she said, signed her up for the summer program to encourage her to be more assertive.

“I was really shy,” she said. “I just kept to myself and didn’t like to talk in front of the class.”

Isabel, a senior, said Girls Inc. not only helped her academically but also provided personal help when she needed it.

“They’re always there for you, and it’s all confidential,” said Isabel, 17. “What happens at Girls Inc. stays at Girls Inc. You just show up and they’ll help you with anything.”