Seven Capital High School sophomores are among nine students from Santa Fe to win scholarships from the Ronald Simon Family Foundation.

The scholarships, valued at $25,000 each, include cash, computers, tutoring, college workshops and up to $16,000 in need-based aid to attend college. They are given to hard-working, self-motivated students from economically disadvantaged families.

This year, the Newport, Calif.-based foundation awarded 20 scholarships to rising juniors from Albuquerque and Santa Fe. In addition to Capital, the local schools represented include Monte del Sol Charter School and Santa Fe High School.

All of the recipients have ambitious plans for the future.

"The scholarship is going to change my life. It's going to help me get into college and help me do things I would never do without it," said Brittany Rael from Capital High School. Rael currently helps with a tutoring program for freshmen at Capital that she participated in last year. She said that she wants to attend New Mexico State University, but shyly added that she would love to go to New York University.

Candice Herrera, another Capital student, said getting the scholarship "gives me the knowledge that I can actually complete school and go to college." She hopes to get into Harvard College in Cambridge, Mass., and eventually become a pediatric surgeon in New Mexico.

Ronald Orozco is aiming for the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Ind.. He also plans to be a surgeon, but with a minor in music so that he can come home to New Mexico and teach mariachi while working as a doctor.

Mike Ammerman, the foundation's New Mexico representative, attributed Capital's success to the school's AVID program.

"In the seventh grade, they developed the mind-set of, 'I'm going to college,' " he said.

AVID, or Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a 30-year-old program that teaches the "culture of college" to motivated students whose parents did not go to college.

All the Capital winners have participated in AVID.

"AVID helps tremendously, helping me with tutorials, for example, finding opportunities for me (such as this scholarship), having support from my fellow peers and supporting my fellow peers," Orozco said.

The Ronald Simon Foundation recognizes students who demonstrate academic promise, who would be first-generation college students, who have shown resiliency in the face of personal hardship, who come from disadvantaged circumstances and who are committed to attending a four-year post-secondary program, Ammerman said.

The program focuses on getting students into a college of their choice and providing a supportive academic community for them.

During the remainder of their high school years and through college, Simon Scholars must maintain specific grade-point averages — 3.0 for the senior year of high school and 2.0 in college. They are expected to be "honest, sincere, ethical and thoughtful with high standards of integrity," according to the foundation's Web site, and be committed to making a difference in the lives of others. The foundation also expects them to be involved in community service.

"I think that it's not just about the money," Rael said. "You can go a long way. It gives you so many skills that you can take with you. Not only is it a support item for you, but it's a support item for everyone around you who you are trying to help."

Ron Simon made his personal fortune through a company he founded, RSI Home Products, now a leading manufacturer of home cabinetry. He established the foundation to give disadvantaged students the tools to become competitive and successful. He is quoted on the foundation Web site saying, "I don't just want to write checks and tell the students to do their best. Anyone can do that. I want to do more and to do it at an earlier age with these students."

Contact Julia Leitner at jleitner@sfnewmexican.com or 986-3050

Simon Scholars from Santa Fe

Brittany Rael (Capital High School)

Candice Herrera (Capital)

Christian Villegas (Capital)

Janeth Santos (Capital)

Mary Ann Maestas (Capital)

Rocio Archuleta (Capital)

Ronald Orozco (Capital)

Victoria Dean (Monte del Sol)

Willa James (Santa Fe High School)