Las Lomas Student Receives Michael W. DeSa
Memorial Scholarship

Award recipient-Kyle Ong with the DeSa Family

(Walnut Creek, Calif., May 26, 2011) - - The fifth annual Michael W. DeSa Memorial Scholarship administered by the Walnut Creek Education Foundation (WCEF), was awarded in the amount of $2,000.00 to Las Lomas High School senior, Kyle Ong. The scholarship was presented to Mr. Ong during Las Lomas High School Senior Awards Night held on Wednesday, May 25th.

Ong was chosen from among 13 Las Lomas seniors who applied for the scholarship. His achievements exemplify the scholarship criterion, which seeks a well-rounded graduate of the Walnut Creek schools (attending K-12) who has nurtured life’s passions both in school and outside the confines of academia, through service in the community and other pursuits. Ong has won the respect and admiration of his peers, teachers and administrators. When asked about his future aspirations he said he wants to be an environmental engineer, working towards sustainable, long-term solutions to society's problems. After graduation from Las Lomas High School, Kyle will attend the University of California at Berkeley and major in engineering and minor in music. Studying and teaching martial arts and playing jazz music are his passions. Kyle, who is currently a 4th degree Brown Belt, began studying martial arts when he was eight years old. He will continue training and teaching martial arts during college. As an accomplished musician he plays saxophone, clarinet, flute, and piano. He looks forward to taking classes at the Berkeley Jazz School and participating in a number of bands and ensembles both related and unrelated to UC Berkeley.

When Walnut Creek Superintendent, Mike DeSa passed away in 2006, his family requested that donations be made in his name to the Walnut Creek Education Foundation. DeSa’s family, wife Lisa and children Caitlin and Sam, proposed using a portion of the funds to start a memorial scholarship fund to be administered by WCEF and awarded to seniors at Las Lomas High School. For more information about the Michael W. DeSa Memorial Scholarship or to make a donation, please contact Liz Davis, WCEF Executive Director by calling 925-933-WCEF(9233) or eadavisus@yahoo.com or www.wcefk12.org.

About the Walnut Creek Education Foundation. The Walnut Creek Education Foundation K-12 is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3), non-profit tax I.D. # 94-2915151 organization founded in 2005 to maintain academic programs that are cut due to the State’s education budget shortfall. WCEF receives support through financial and in-kind donations from business and corporate partners, parents, alumni, volunteers, grants and the community-at-large. WCEF is managed by a volunteer executive committee, board of trustees, and a paid executive director, all of whom who share a deep commitment to maintaining excellence in the schools. For more information, contact WCEF at (925) 933.WCEF (9233), or www.wcefK12.org. On-line donations can also be securely submitted through the WCEF website or mailed to WCEF, P.O. Box 186, Walnut Creek, CA 94597.