(Right photo, left to right) Nicholas Vuong, Kiran Musson, Aneeka Nandi, Madison Le, Carlsbad High School Seniors and 2026 CEF Scholarship Recipients, pose with Carlsbad Educational Foundation CEO, Laura Pitts (center).

Seventeen outstanding high school seniors from Carlsbad Unified School District (CUSD) have been awarded a total of $74,000 in scholarships through the Carlsbad Educational Foundation’s (CEF) 2026 Senior Scholarship Program. The awards celebrate both the students’ achievements and the impact of CEF-funded programs that inspired their college and career journeys.

Scholarship recipients include students who found a passion in music, STEAM, and programs rooted in educational innovation, made possible by generous community support and partners of the Carlsbad Educational Foundation, including the Judith Campbell Educational and Community Foundation, the Tom Laurence Music Scholarship, and Viasat. Notably, one-third of this year’s scholarship recipients are need-based, reinforcing CEF’s commitment to expanding access and opportunity for all students. Selected for their academic merits, leadership, community involvement, and reflections on how these programs shaped their educational goals, students were recognized during Senior Awards Nights at Carlsbad High School and Sage Creek High School.

“We’re incredibly proud to recognize these students, and grateful to our partners for their continued support. These scholarships aren’t just financial awards, they’re a celebration of students’ hard work and the transformational power of education,” said Laura Pitts, CEO of the Carlsbad Educational Foundation.

The seventeen students who demonstrated remarkable dedication and commitment to their education are named below:

• Danielle Dee, Carlsbad High School, $10,000, CEF & Judith Campbell Educational & Community Foundation Scholarship
• Lexie Han, Carlsbad High School, $10,000, CEF & Judith Campbell Educational & Community Foundation Scholarship
• Sonali Sharma, Sage Creek High School, $10,000, CEF & Judith Campbell Educational & Community Foundation Scholarship
• Chase Boertje, Carlsbad High School, $7,000, CEF & Tom Laurence Music Scholarship
• Charity Rose Godoy, Sage Creek High School, $7,000, CEF & Tom Laurence Music Scholarship
• Mackenzie Le, Sage Creek High School, $2,500, CEF & Tom Laurence Music  Scholarship
• Madison Le, Sage Creek High School, $2,500, CEF & Viasat, for participation in Science Olympiad
• Lily O’Neil, Carlsbad High School, $2,500 CEF & Viasat, for participation in Science Olympiad
• Natalia Charvel, Carlsbad High School, $2,500, CEF Scholarship
• Kirstyn Limsico, Carlsbad High School, $2,500, CEF Scholarship
• Aryana Mahasseni, Carlsbad High School, $2,500, CEF Scholarship
• Kiran Musson, Sage Creek High School, $2,500, CEF Scholarship
• Aneeka Nandi, Sage Creek High School, $2,500, CEF Scholarship
• Sophia Parraga, Carlsbad High School, $2,500, CEF Scholarship
• Valeria Torres, Carlsbad High School, $2,500, CEF Scholarship
• Nicholas Vuong, Sage Creek High School, $2,500, CEF Scholarship
• Juliana Yakuta, Carlsbad High School, $2,500, CEF Scholarship 

Carlsbad Educational Foundation and its partners proudly congratulate the 2026 scholarship recipients and extend their deepest gratitude to the organizations, donors, and educators who helped make these awards possible.