Newport Harbor student receives $10K scholarship
Paul Tadross has racked up 170 hours of volunteer work at Hoag Hospital. He started a senior-freshman mentor program at Newport Harbor High School, where he is the ASB president.
Now he can add another impressive note to his résumé.
Tadross, 17, was honored as one of two Toshiba Classic Scholarship Fund recipients during a breakfast Tuesday at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa. Tadross and Mission Viejo’s Drew Gleason each received a $10,000 scholarship.
They were chosen from 12 high school senior finalists who all received a Toshiba laptop computer.
Tadross, who aspires to be a doctor, spoke briefly in front of a packed banquet room reserved for the annual Breakfast with a Champion, featuring golf Hall of Famer Hale Irwin. The event is part of the 18th annual Toshiba Classic, which is in Newport Beach this week.
Tadross asked what was most challenging as Newport Harbor’s student body president. He said it was emotional and rewarding helping lead the efforts to raise money for Crystal Morales, a 17-year-old Costa Mesa resident who was hit by an SUV near the school in December.
Principal Michael Vossen said Tuesday evening that Crystal has visited Newport Harbor, and has been undergoing a remarkable recovery, but is currently being educated at home. She has yet not been cleared to return to school, although to the best of his knowledge, Vossen said her surgeries were completed.
“Emotionally it felt good to give back, especially when it involves a student,” Tadross said moments after posing for a photograph with Irwin. “Everyone really rallied around her.”
Tadross hopes to gain acceptance into UC Berkeley. He has already been accepted at UC San Diego.
He said working those many hours at Hoag has helped him.
“I did it for the experience, to watch the transformation a patient goes through,” he said.
Toshiba annually awards Orange County students during the Toshiba Classic, a golf tournament on the Champions Tour for players 50 and older.
The first of three rounds for the tournament begins Friday at the Newport Beach Country Club. Pro-am takes place Wednesday and Thursday.
The tournament raises money for Hoag. For the second straight year, the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center at Hoag will be the main beneficiary. The Allens were introduced Tuesday morning.
Twitter: @SteveVirgen