Dos Pueblos High School student Ava Canfield (12) was awarded a $50,000 scholarship from the Edison Foundation during her engineering class on March 19. The Edison Scholars Program recognizes students who want to be “makers of tomorrow” and wish to pursue a major in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Canfield was one of 30 high school students selected to receive this scholarship in Southern California.

Canfield said her “academic strong suits” have always been mathematics and sciences, and her experience in the STEM field this past year is what helped her find what she wants to do with her career.

“It was [the Dos Pueblos Engineering Academy] that kind of showed me that’s what I want to be doing for the rest of my life,” Canfield said. “I think engineering as a field is a really fitting field of study for me because it allows me to be really hands on with the stuff I do.”

She received the scholarship due to her commitment to engineering and the essays she wrote for her application to the scholarship.

“It was pretty surreal, I can’t lie,” Canfield said. “I had absolutely no idea that it was happening today or that I was getting the award at all.”

She said the award ceremony was a “surprise” to her. Her class was told they were going on a walk to the flagpole, but she did not know why until she saw the faces of all her teachers and family.

“I saw a bunch of my teachers and my counselors, and then, I saw my mom,” Canfield said. “[Melissa] Woods, who’s an engineering teacher, started talking, and then, they presented the award … I got this giant check and a medal.”

Woods said she was “super happy” for Canfield to receive the award, describing her as an amazing and studious student.

“Her communication skills when talking about her engineering projects is what really stands out,” Woods said.

In the end, Canfield was “honored” to receive the Edison scholarship.

“[The award] was really special to be recognized as an individual and my accomplishments,” Canfield said. “I think I haven’t really had that opportunity before, so it was pretty emotional [and] felt really good.”