Kennedy Hayashi is among four students from El Camino College who have been selected as semifinalists for the highly selective Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship program.

ECC students Frankee Granados, Pintack Gualotuna, and Emily Hidalgo were also announced as semifinalists.

“Congratulations to El Camino’s four Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship semifinalists,” said El Camino College President Brenda Thames. “Their hard work and determination to realize their goals are inspiring. We also thank the staff and faculty members who helped them on their academic journey.”

After graduating from Torrance High, Hayashi immediately enrolled in El Camino and jumped right into the Honors Transfer Program, ASEM, and the Associated Students Organization.

Hayashi currently serves as vice president of finance of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges, representing more than 2 million students that attend any of the 116 college campuses in California.

“In this position, I have learned to serve my constituents by training all of the regional treasurers, chairing the Regional Finance and Fundraising Committee, and being the student representative for the Chancellor’s Office Fiscal Affairs Advisory Workgroup,” Hayashi said.

“On the campus-wide level, at El Camino College, I have been a consistent advocate for the 25,000 students, now serving as the director of finance, with the responsibility of allocating funds for school events and ensuring that student voices are being heard.”

This year, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation named 459 community college students as semifinalists, chosen from a pool of more than 1,600 applicants attending 194 community colleges in 37 states, plus Washington, D.C. and the Northern Mariana Islands. Each scholarship award is designed to cover the majority of the student’s costs to earn a bachelor’s degree, including tuition, living expenses, books, and required fees. Transfer and career advisement are also available.

Undergraduate transfer scholars will additionally receive opportunities for internships, study abroad, and graduate school funding, as well as a connection to a thriving network of over 3,100 fellow Cooke scholars and alumni. Scholarship finalists will be announced by early May.

Hayashi’s lifelong mission has been to help marginalized groups actualize their ambitions, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, economic status, or personal identity. She has been involved with the American Association of University Women (AAUW) since the seventh grade, attending their Summer Tech Trek Camp, and is the social media coordinator on Instagram, X, and Facebook and the build/social coach during the summer camps.
“I enjoy sharing experiences with other girls and interacting with individuals of similar interests in STEM as we are eager to change the inequality of girls’ opportunities. For those who need help to have the same chances in STEM, I am proud to create that community with AAUW,” Hayashi said.

Frankee Granados knew right away El Camino was the right choice for her. She got a head start on her college education by taking dual enrollment classes while still a student at Redondo Union High School and loved being a part of the ECC community. The political science major credits her success to guidance from First Year Experience, a program that helps students navigate the college environment.

“The great thing about El Camino is that each and every student is supported, whether it be by a counselor, adviser, or professor; there is always someone rooting for you, rooting for your success,” she said.

Pintack Gualotuna had a slow start when he first enrolled at El Camino. The North Torrance High grad wasn’t familiar with the college experience, but soon joined FYE, the Honors Transfer Program, and EOPS, which helped him find the community he needed. Now the political science major works with ECC’s Student Equity & Achievement program, ensuring students are confident and ready for college.

“I like guiding students through the process,” he said. “I don’t see myself as someone who has all the answers but I’m someone who can be there to help others learn skills that will help at El Camino and their next college.”

Emily Hidalgo graduated from West High School and soon began her communication studies major at El Camino. She is part of First Year Experience and the Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society, where she also serves as treasurer and activities director. One of the most important things she learned at ECC is the importance of trying your best, but you don’t have to be perfect.

“It is okay to make mistakes,” she said. “Being a warrior means to keep persevering even when things may not work out for us the first or second time because we know that in the end, we all have a goal that we are trying to achieve.”

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