Newport Harbor High School (NHHS) Senior Xiomara A La Torre was recently awarded a $50,000 scholarship as a 2024 Edison Scholar. Each year, Edison International recognizes 30 high school seniors from Southern California who are changemakers, dreamers, and inventors dedicated to shaping a clean energy future.

As a peer tutor with AVID, she was already helping her fellow Sailors at NHHS, but she also saw the need for academic support at the elementary level. A La Torre started a tutoring program called Project Kidz Connect-Super Sailors, for which she recruited NHHS students to assist Whittier Elementary students with their homework in a partnership with the after-school program. 

“Xiomara is the type of student who wants to make changes happen, and she did. She oversees the whole operation and is a great liaison between the student tutors, the children, and staff members,” said NHHS Counselor Grace Nguyen.

A La Torre credits NHHS Mathematics Department Chair Brandon Clay as an influence in her educational journey. The admiration is mutual, as Clay believes A La Torre’s hard-working ethics and curious nature have contributed to her success as a student. “In the past three years, I have watched Xiomara evolve into someone confident in her solutions and ideas. She is always willing to ask questions because she wants to make sure she understands the math. It has been a pleasure to be a part of her journey,” he said.

In addition to her involvement in AVID, A La Torre is an active participant in her school community as a member of the marching band, for which she serves as drum captain; a member of the nationally recognized BRIDGES program; the president and former secretary of the California Scholarship Federation; secretary of the Green Club; and member of the National Honor Society.

A La Torre intends to continue studying mathematics while attending the University of California, Santa Cruz. 

Two representatives from Edison International presented A La Torre with the scholarship in a surprise visit to her Senior AVID class, accompanied by Principal Sean Boulton, Assistant Principal Jennifer Fox, and members of A La Torre’s family, including her brother Jose, who was a 2017 Edison Scholar.