Family and friends of Ernesto Cortez — a graduating senior at Buhach Colony High School — are celebrating the student’s academic success, including being named a recipient of the Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship at UC Berkeley.
This award is the most prestigious scholarship offered by UC Berkeley to entering undergraduate students. The scholarship offers full support and is only extended to a select cohort of Berkeley undergraduates who stand out for their creativity, leadership, service, and strong convictions. Candidates reflect one of the highest principles of the institution: commitment to excellence.
“Those are hard to get,” said Ernesto Cortez, Sr., the proud father of the student. “I know he is my son, but he is just an awesome guy. Just a super kid. So respectful, so nice, and his teachers love him.”
The younger Cortez has been a standout at Buhach Colony, participaing in the school’s award-winning Academic Decathlon Team and Speech & Debate Team. The latter is going to a national competition next month.
“His success is a result of hard work — getting up at 7 in the morning and working into the night,” his father said.
Ernesto Cortez Sr. is a mortgage loan officer for American Financial Network in Merced.