Marshall Fundamental Senior Awarded Full Scholarship

A senior at Marshall Fundamental Secondary School in Pasadena is headed to Northwestern University on a full scholarship, school officials announced Thursday.

Gyda Nawarungruang was formally awarded the scholarship from the Posse Foundation during a virtual induction ceremony on Wednesday, the Pasadena Unified School District said in a written statement.

“Gyda is one of approximately 100 students from the Los Angeles area receiving this award out of nearly 2,300 nominees,” according to the statement. “This award is a four-year full tuition leadership scholarship, estimated at $225,000.”

Nawarungruang plans to study biomedical engineering.

A lifelong PUSD student, Nawarungruang has been an honor roll student throughout high school, according to the district.

She is a National AP Scholar and National Merit Commended Scholar, officials said.

“She is a candidate for the distinguished AP Capstone Diploma, pursuing original research on ‘Bio-Inspired Architecture: Building a More Sustainable Future for Metropolitan Los Angeles,’” according to the PUSD statement.

Nawarungruang has been awarded the Reading Partners Los Angeles Youth Ambassador Award for her work tutoring elementary school students, according to the district. 

Extracurricular activities include the Key Club, Math Club, Asian Club, Tennis Club, National Honor Society, and Science Bowl Team.

“Gyda ran cross country her freshman year and played on the girls’ tennis team for three years, winning the Mission Valley League Championship in 2018 and 2019,” the statement said. “She is a varsity team captain and was named Most Valuable Player in 2018, Most Consistent in 2019, and Mission Valley League 2nd Team-All League and Fall Scholar Athlete for Girls Tennis in 2019.”

Nawarungruang joins 38 other Marshall graduates who have received Posse Scholarships over the past 15 years, officials said.

More information about the Posse Foundation is available online at possefoundation.org.