James Alexander, a recent graduate of Oakland Technical High School, has won a $20,000, five-year scholarship, awarded by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and the City of Oakland, in collaboration with East Bay College Fund.
Alexander was selected out of more than 4,200 applicants to receive the Scholarship, worth up to $100,000.
Alexander credits his success to the support of his mother and grandmother. He made volunteerism and Advanced Placement courses priorities in his life, and was selected to be a part of the Northern California Delegation of “Think China,” a China-United States Exchange Program.
He will be attending UC Irvine in the fall, planning to major in biology and possibly pursuing a career in medicine.
“We are pleased to be a part of James’ journey, and look forward to following his success,” said Helen Burt, PG&E senior vice president of corporate affairs.
“We expect great things from James as he starts this new chapter in his life,” said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf.
The scholarship Program has committed $3 million in scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $30,000 to 400 students throughout Northern and Central California since 2012.