SANTA ANA, Calif. – Santa Ana native Diego A. Sarmiento has become the first Godinez High School graduate to be selected as a Truman Scholar by the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation. The Truman Scholarship is the premier graduate scholarship for aspiring public service leaders in the United States.
Mr. Sarmiento is a 2021 Godinez High School graduate who studies political science and public affairs at the University of California, Los Angeles and intends to pursue a juris doctor/master’s in economics.
Former Arizona Governor and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, president of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, announced on April 12 that Mr. Sarmiento was one of 60 students from 54 U.S. colleges and universities selected for the honor. Santa Ana City Councilmember Johnathan Hernandez will present a proclamation to Mr. Sarmiento recognizing him for this prestigious scholarship at the May 7 Santa Ana City Council meeting.
Truman Scholars are chosen for demonstrating outstanding leadership potential, a commitment to a career in government or the nonprofit sector, and academic excellence. Each Truman Scholar receives funding for graduate studies, leadership training, career counseling, and special internship and fellowship opportunities within the federal government.
Mr. Sarmiento’s biography for the award states:
Born and raised in Santa Ana, Diego is the proud son of Bolivian and Mexican immigrants. From a young age, his mother, father, and aunt instilled in him the value of public service, education, resilience, and community. Over the past four years, Diego has mobilized thousands of his neighbors to engage and vote in local politics through community organizing. Interning at the Orange County Board of Supervisors’ office, Diego helped push forward an unprecedented homelessness prevention program. Diego hopes to continue the fight to give his community a political voice through his “Santanero Voter Initiative,” a program to increase voter turnout among Latino youth.
# # #
MEDIA CONTACT:
Paul Eakins
Public Affairs Information Officer
(714) 647-5224