Commentary: Scholarship program is now enriching Mesa, Estancia students

Last year, I had the honor of sitting down and talking with Ronald Simon, one of our community’s most successful entrepreneurs.

The son of humble immigrant parents, Simon built two hugely successful business empires from scratch. His second venture, RSI Home Products, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of kitchen cabinets, marble countertops and bathroom vanities, and the Newport Beach-based company employs more than 5,000 people.

During my time with Simon, I didn’t do much talking. I’ve learned over the years that I get much more out of listening to others, whether they are business colleagues, residents at a City Council meeting or — perhaps most importantly! — my wife.

Simon proudly told me about the Simon Scholars Program, which takes high school juniors with challenging backgrounds and puts them on a six-year program to earn a college degree.

The students receive a cash stipend, a computer, academic support, leadership training and life-skill lessons. They also get assistance in studying for the ACT and SAT, tours of colleges, and help with their college applications. If they maintain a 3.0 grade point average and graduate from high school, they are awarded a $16,000 college scholarship.

Since its inception in 2003, the Simon Scholars Program has given 825 students scholarships and other help valued at more than $25 million. Simon Scholars can be found in Southern California, Georgia, New Mexico and Washington, D.C.

What an amazing program!

I just had one question for Simon: Why weren’t there any Simon Scholars in Estancia and Costa Mesa high schools, two campuses practically in his own backyard?

He said, without hesitation, “We should do it.”

This school year, eight juniors at Estancia and eight more at Mesa began their first year as Simon Scholars.

“We focus on students who come from difficult life and economic circumstances and yet are determined to overcome the many adversities and obstacles facing them,” Simon said. “It has been deeply gratifying to see firsthand the life-altering power of engaging, supporting and nurturing these students who come from all walks of life and ethnicities as they pursue their dream of achieving the American dream of independence and self-sufficiency.”

At City Hall, we see firsthand the power of the Simon Scholars Program. One of the city’s best and brightest young employees is Christian Hernandez, a recreation specialist in our Parks and Community Services department. Hernandez was a Simon Scholar who graduated from Garden Grove High School and Cal State Long Beach. He’s a remarkable young man — intelligent, enthusiastic and a problem-solver. I know that at least some of his promise and polish was developed as a Simon Scholar.

I’ll watch with great expectation, and more than a little pride, as the Simon Scholars at Estancia and Costa Mesa high schools graduate, go on to get their college degrees and become part of a new generation of leaders, hopefully right here in Costa Mesa.

This shows you the value of education and mentorship. It also shows the value of simply listening.

STEVE MENSINGER is the mayor of Costa Mesa.