Redwood City Student Wins $10K Comcast Scholarship

Comcast took a chunk out of one Redwood City teen's future tuition bill on Wednesday and held a celebration at the California State Capitol to celebrate. 

Alejandro Valencia, Sequoia High School student, won a $10,000 scholarship from Comcast, which can be used to pay for his tuition at San Jose State University when he begins coursework.  He is one of 185 students in California who won a “2013 Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship,” which bestows grants to students who catalyze positive change in their communities.

The cable company’s signature community investment program has awarded about $19 million to students to date. Students from all over California traveled to the capitol this week to celebrate the distribution of $205,000 to students with leadership skills and academic prowess.

“Each year, we are excited to provide scholarships for some of California’s best and brightest young people,” said Hank Fore, regional senior vice president of Comcast California. 

“Comcast seeks students who demonstrate leadership abilities in school activities and who reflect a strong commitment to community service. These students are our future leaders, and we hope these scholarships will help to power their dreams for success,” Fore said.    

Valencia intends to study computer engineering. An undergraduate degree at San Jose State University is expected to cost about $25,000, according to the school’s financial aid and scholarship office. 

Students and families who went to the celebration also received a tour of the capitol and public praise from Tom Torlakson, state superintendent of public schools.

“These remarkable young people have not only worked hard, but they have been a great inspiration to the rest of us along the way,” Torlakson said. “These awards are a great example of how the private sector can benefit students and brighten the future of our entire state.”

For a complete list of students who won a scholarship this year, visit this list.