Our Students & Your Generosity Create a Better Community

AN ENGINEER IN THE MAKING

Young Sophia makes it to Nationals

At just 11 years old, Sophia Luquin, a 5^th grader at Sherwood Elementary School in Salinas, dreamed of creating a tool to help farmworkers pick strawberries. Through the Hartnell College Foundation K-12 STEAM Program and Invention Convention, her dream became a reality, and her invention earned her regional recognition, state participation, and the distinction of being the only one in Monterey County to go to Nationals.

“My grandparents worked in the fields and always had back pain,” she said. “I created a tool to make it easier to pick strawberries and prevent pain.”

The California Invention Convention initiative, supported by the Hartnell College Foundation K-12 STEAM Program and Salinas City Elementary School District Extended Learning, enabled students to build confidence, resilience, and belief in their ability to innovate through iterative engineering design practices. 

Students learned to embrace failure as part of the design process, developing perseverance, creative confidence, and problem-solving skills while refining their ideas.

“Sophia proudly became the first student supported through this partnership to travel to Michigan, experiencing her first airplane ride and representing Salinas among 513 student inventors at the National Invention Convention, marking a first of many opportunities for Salinas students,” said Lupita Arroyo-Lozano, K-12 STEAM Program Coordinator.

More than 300,000 students nationwide participated in Invention Convention programs. From that pool, 513 National Finalists were selected to present their inventions at the National Invention Convention held in Michigan. Sophia was one of the 513 students selected to compete and present at the national event.

Sophia had great support in Michigan. Her parents, Hermelinda E. Villareal and Arturo Melendez Luquin Jr., plus her aunt Maria Luquin, were there. Also in attendance were Dr. Rebecca Andrade, Superintendent, Salinas City Elementary School District; Chloe Johnson, Director of Extended Learning, Salinas City Elementary School District; Victor Marinelli, 6th Grade Teacher, Sherwood Elementary School; and Lupita Arroyo.

“We are extremely proud of her – there are no words to express how we feel,” said her mom, Hermelinda. “Sophia is always participating in different activities, and we are in awe of her making it all the way to nationals.”

Sophia is someone to watch. She is one of five children and loves to play softball. In the future, she aspires to be a product design engineer.

KILLIAN SCHOLARS GO TO BOSTON

Hartnell Vocal Students Earn National Recognition

Four Hartnell College music students, all recipients of the Killian Music Scholarship, recently participated in the prestigious 2026 Classical Singer Convention and Competition held in Boston with over 800 singers, educators, and industry professionals from across the United States. 

Junelle Aubrey Geli from Soledad, and Tiana Magdaleno, Tahlia Magdaleno, and Diego Ramirez from Salinas, competed in the Collegiate Division in both Classical and Musical Theatre categories. The students are members of Hartnell College’s Music Department and study privately with renowned voice teacher Paula Baack, who provides instruction through the Killian Music Scholarship program.

Two Hartnell scholars advanced to the semifinal round of the national competition—Tiana Magdaleno in the Classical category and Diego Ramirez in Musical Theatre—earning recognition among some of the country’s most promising collegiate singers. 

Participation in the convention provided the students with valuable performance experience, opportunities to receive feedback from distinguished vocal professionals, and exposure to fellow singers from colleges and universities nationwide. Attendees participated in masterclasses, workshops, auditions, and networking opportunities designed to support the development of emerging vocal artists. More than 60 colleges, universities, conservatories, and professional arts organizations were represented, offering recruitment opportunities and educational resources through the convention’s Expo and Recruiting Fair.

A big ‘THANK YOU’ to an anonymous donor! After the students paid their own entry/audition fees, a donor paid for the rest of their expenses, including hotel, airfare, and workshop fees associated with the event.

GALA FOR THE ARTS

Honoring three Distinguished Supporters

The Council for the Arts is ready to unveil the 2026 Gala for the Arts on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Hartnell College. The event will be held in conjunction with The Western Stage’s production of Songs for a New World.

You are invited to continue to make an impact in students’ lives. Last year, your support of the Gala funded internships in gallery management, theater production, studio art, and community programs. Our Council for the Arts has also awarded scholarships to students with high financial need who are majoring in the visual or performing arts. 

This year’s Gala for the Arts will once again raise vital funds for internships and scholarships for the college’s arts students. The Council will recognize three supporters of the arts: 

Sponsorships are available! Your support will help inspire the next generation of artists, performers, and cultural leaders, while also eliminating barriers to college and career success for first-generation, low-income, and historically underserved students in the arts. For more information, tickets, and sponsorships, contact Celeste DeWald at cdewald@hartnellfoundation.org or call 831-755-6810.