LINCOLN — Penelope Oliver, along with 5,700 other students, went through a rigorous application process to earn a Presidential Scholar status.
She never imagined her name would appear in a letter sent by top education officials on behalf of the Biden administration.
“I still can't believe it. I still can't believe that the name Presidential Scholar describes me,” Oliver said. “For me, it means more than an award. For me, it means that everything I've done and worked hard for has paid off.”
Oliver, who lives in Folsom and attends Horizon Charter School in Lincoln, said her path to receiving the recognition was unusual. While most people are recognized for her SAT/ACT or in-class skills, Oliver said her focus is on how she can support and improve her community. Ta. She does it through All Access Arts, a nonprofit that works to bring arts education to shelters and other community-based organizations.
“We provide STEM and arts education to five partner organizations each week,” Oliver said. “It’s building real relationships with kids, being a representative, being a role model, and watching them grow and find themselves.”
Oliver added that her efforts to shape education equity policy in Congress and the work being done through All Access Arts is what she is most proud of. These efforts helped secure the president's honor.
“I never expected to receive this award. I often think about the gap between dreams. Why as you get older, the reality becomes clearer and you start thinking about what you can't do instead of what you can do,” she said. said. “It made me want to fight more, advocate, and write policies about educational equity so that everyone can achieve their goals.”
She is one of only nine California students to receive the prestigious honor. She said this feat only adds fuel to her fire to continue striving for success and will hopefully inspire others to do the same.
“We tell and encourage young people, young people of all ages, to do what they love,” Oliver said.
Her parents said the secret key to raising successful children is to foster curiosity and never prevent them from exploring subjects and things they love. Her mother, Kristin Moorland, said it was ultimately important to expose Oliver to all different people and situations.
“We were actively looking for opportunities, and that creates empathy and compassion. School is secondary to being a good person,” Moorland said.
Her father spoke of his elation when he learned she had been selected for the 2024 list and said he knew from an early age that she would become a great person.
Penelope's father, Tony Oliver, said: “She has a tenacity to get things done, a lot of interests and a willingness to work with others to make things happen.” he said.
In a sweet twist of fate, Tony Oliver said that success as a Presidential Scholar is actually in Penelope's blood. Decades ago, his mother, a Cuban immigrant, was also named a Presidential Scholar.
“All I know is that it definitely skipped a generation,” he said.
As for Penelope's future, she plans to attend the University of California, Berkeley in the fall, but she has no plans to stop advocating for educational equity.
