The Gom Benn Scholarship Fund has honored 23 students for their academic excellence in 2023-2024, including six memorial scholarship awards. More than $11,000 in awards — the most ever — were announced at an August 10 luncheon. The top graduate school and college awards were $1,000 each for the first time because of a donation by the family of Johnny Wong supplemented the perpetual scholarships created by other Gom Benn families. Here are this year’s memorial scholarship recipients:
Breanna Quon was presented the Ron Chin Memorial Scholarship for the top full-time graduate student. She was in the second year of a two-year graduate program at Stanbridge University to become an occupational therapy assistant. She is the granddaughter of Francis Lai. Her interests include basketball, going to the movies, and trying new resturants.
Matthew Chu was presented the Chew & Yowly Hoi Memorial Scholarship for the top part-time graduate student. He was in a master’s program at UCLA with an emphasis in systems engineering and a career goal as a materials engineer. He is one of the grandsons of Sui Ching Lau. Matthew’s interests include volleyball, golf, pickleball, and traveling.
Joshua Tam was presented the Stephen Huahn Memorial Scholarship for the top upperclass college student. He is a third-year student at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He is majoring in aerospace and mechanical engineering. Joshua’s goal is to be a aerospace engineer. He is the grandson of Margie Tam. His interests include music, skiing and games.
Kayla Chow was presented with the Gim Hong and Sun Woo Lee Memorial Scholarship for the top college senior. She was a student at UC Riverside majoring in microbiology. Her goal is to be a clinical laboratory scientist. Kayla is the granddaughter of Hoy and Jean Wong. Her interests include rock climbing, traveling, cooking, playing video games, and attending K-pop concerts.
Kaitlyn Lai was presented the Johnny Wong Memorial Scholarship for another top college senior. She was a student a Cal State Sacramento majoring in nutrition. Her goal is to be a nurse. Kaitlyn is the granddaughter of Francis Lai. Her interests include baking and cooking.
Linus Wong was presented the Roy & Gim Oi Lim Memorial Scholarship for the top high school senior. He was a student at South Pasadena High School. He is the grandson of Roger Wong. His career goal is to become a software engineer. His interests include gym and video games.
