2025 Gold Mountain Scholarship Recipients Embody Academic Excellence and Community Leadership

Written By Socheata Sun

For Immediate Release

June 6, 2025

Media Contact: 
Socheata Sun, Senior Communications Associate
socheata.sun@ocanational.org

Washington, D.C. — OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates is proud to announce the 2025 recipients of the annual OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholarships. This award continues a longstanding partnership with the UPS Foundation to support first-generation college students demonstrating academic excellence, leadership potential, and financial need.

This year, twelve graduating high school seniors entering colleges and universities across the country will each receive a $2,000 scholarship to help cover tuition and educational expenses.

The OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholarship for Graduating High School Seniors is awarded to:

  • Rashmitha Bathina; University of Florida

  • Lia Kagehiro; University of Southern California

  • Grace Le; Baylor University

  • Nathan Lin; Johns Hopkins University

  • Celine Muller; San Diego State University

  • Stanley Nguyen; Irvine Valley College

  • Minh Tri Nguyen; University of California, Los Angeles

  • Celina Poon; Carnegie Mellon University

  • Nu'uausala Tilo; Brigham Young University-Hawaii

  • Ludoi Ton; University of Washington

  • Kunyu Yang; University of Kentucky

  • Eh K Yaw; University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Full scholar biographies can be accessed here.

In addition, four rising college seniors have been selected to receive $2,500 each to support their continued academic journey.

The OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholarship for Rising College Seniors is awarded to:

  • Justine Paragas; Simmons University

  • Shovik Saha; Florida State University

  • Amena Shamia; Cornell University

  • Brian Tong; Fordham University 

Full scholar biographies can be accessed here.

Two scholarship recipients, Amena Shamia and Ludoi Ton, will also attend the 2025 OCA National Convention in Seattle, where they will be recognized for their achievements and have the opportunity to connect with community leaders and peers from across the country.

Established in 1999, the OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholarship program has supported hundreds of youth leaders across the country.

“We are incredibly grateful to UPS for their enduring commitment to our shared mission of empowering first-generation college students,” said Thu Nguyen, Executive Director of OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates. “The continued demand for this scholarship reflects the financial and systemic challenges faced by many in our community, especially as student debt continues to burden millions. We are proud to celebrate these scholars and their inspiring pursuit of higher education.”

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About OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates

Founded in 1973, OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national, member-driven social justice organization of community advocates dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs). Learn more about our work at ocanational.org/about.

Socheata Sun
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