Fillmore High School graduating senior Eugenio Serna is the recipient of the 2023 Rosie Torres Scholarship For Future Teachers. Torres, a retired Fillmore teacher and long-time school volunteer, recently presented the award at an on-campus ceremony along with members of her family.

Fillmore, CA (June 12, 2023) —Eugenio Serna, a graduating Fillmore High School senior, has been named the 2023 recipient of the Rosie Torres Scholarship for Future Teachers. Members of the Torres family were on hand to present Serna with the $1,000 scholarship at a recent award ceremony held on campus.
“At the center of every effective education system is the classroom teacher,” said Michael Torres, who delivered the award. “We congratulate Eugenio for his performance in the classroom and the dedication, hard work, and ambition he demonstrated throughout his high school years. We wish him success as he embarks on his next goal to become part of the future generation of educational leaders.”

Established in 2013, the Rosie Torres Scholarship For Future Teachers provides financial assistance to Fillmore High School graduating seniors with plans to pursue a career in early childhood education, elementary education or secondary education and continue studies at an accredited college or university.

Rosie Torres devoted nearly 30 years to teaching in Fillmore Unified School District and touched the lives of hundreds of students throughout her career as an educator and community volunteer. Along with her family, she created the scholarship program to inspire the next generation of teachers and invest in Fillmore High School students who are committed to improving the lives of children. Awards are determined based on academic and extracurricular performance, teacher recommendations and a written essay.

Serna’s future plans are to pursue a teaching credential, with a focus on Spanish and Latin American Studies. Throughout high school, Serna earned numerous academic and athletic honors and is the president and founder of NewsFlash, the official newspaper of Fillmore High School. Above all Serna said he hopes to be a teacher that “students can come to for their highs and lows.”

“On behalf of our entire family, we congratulate Mr. Serna on his performance in and out of the classroom and recognize the dedication and positive energy he showed throughout his years at Fillmore High School,” said Rosie Torres. “We wish him great success as he embarks on his next goal to become a teacher and make a difference in the world, one student at a time.”
“I would like to take this time to congratulate not only the entire graduating class of 2023, but also recognize the Fillmore Unified School District teachers, faculty, and staff,” she added. “This year’s applicants were an extremely competitive and worthy pool of scholars. These students are a reflection of the great job you do.”