Our awardee, Stefanny Hernandez, was also distinguished this year as one of Riverside’s “25 Most Remarkable Teens.”  She truly is remarkable, though Stefanny doesn’t really see it that way.  

Stefanny communicates with her deaf parents in American Sign Language and has also interpreted for them since she was a young girl, at everything from medical appointments to meetings with non-ASL speakers.   Stefanny cannot do those things for her parents without her hands. And she cannot look at her hands without appreciating her Mom and her Dad.  “When I look at my hands, I see them.” 

“(My) experience has taught me to appreciate the value of hard work, the significance of inclusivity, and the power of compassion in building a supportive community,” Stefanny wrote in her application for the Dr. Horace Jackson Legacy Scholarship.  She will receive $3000 for her first year at Riverside Community College and another $3000 for her second year. 
“I'd like to be able to give back to all the communities who raised me. … By being a court interpreter in a city where they are desperately needed, I will help the people who need it the most by translating back and forth in (English, Spanish and ASL).  This scholarship (helps) fund my goal of being the first person in my family to go to college and serving the people in communities I grew up in.”

Here are more of Stefanny’s remarkable accomplishments:

• North’s winner of the “Portrait of a Graduate” award, given to one senior at each Riverside Unified High School. It recognizes mastery of the academic knowledge and skills to be successful, independent and prepared for college and career.  

• 3-year member of the Law and Protective Services Academy, which balances rigorous academics with career exploration. She also served as an ambassador, at North and in Riverside County, spreading enthusiasm for career readiness.

• Vice President of Renaissance, a student leadership organization. Like all student activities, its principles are “FAIR” – standing for Financially affordable, Accessible, Inclusive and Relatable.  

Here is the full presentation of Stefanny’s scholarship at the 2025 John W. North Senior Awards ceremony.  HJLS Founding member Cully Williamson presented the award with the aid of Alyssa Martinez, Class of 2023.  We’ll have more to share about Alyssa’s journey in our next newsletter.

Congratulations, Stefanny!  We look forward to following you on your education journey.