Five El Monte Union High School District seniors are on their way to full-ride scholarships at prestigious universities.

Arroyo High School seniors Daniel Vu, Audrey Tang, and Noe Magana will join Rosemead High School seniors Aura Gallardo Muñoz and Carmen Ung as 2025 QuestBridge scholars.

Their destinations are Pomona College, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Princeton, and Yale after being QuestBridge 2025 National College Match scholars, an honor that comes with early admission and scholarships worth more than $325,000.

The three Arroyo High students are eyeing medical and healthcare careers. Tang has been admitted to Stanford University, where she is looking to major in human biology with hopes of becoming a physician assistant.“I can’t wait to meet the student body, explore the campus, and make my way up Hoover Tower, Tang said. “I also look forward to fountain hopping, which is a Stanford tradition. Of course, I will definitely miss the Arroyo teachers, counselors, support staff, and office assistants who have always pushed and encouraged me to succeed.”

Vu will attend Pomona College. He hopes to major in biology and pursue a career as an optometrist, following in the footsteps of his aunt.

“When I found out I had won the scholarship, I shouted, ‘I got in!’” Vu said. “I am going to miss the Arroyo staff, my teachers, my counselor, and all the caring people who have supported and guided me throughout my journey.”

Magana matched with Johns Hopkins University. Magana plans to major in molecular biology, pursuing a pre-med pathway toward his future goals.

“My passion for human anatomy grew stronger after my experience playing basketball and dealing with a condition that inspired me to explore orthopedics,” Magana said. “I greatly appreciate the supportive teachers at Arroyo, who often believed in me even more than I believed in myself.”

Muñoz will attend Princeton University and also major in molecular biology, with a minor in neuroscience. She aspires to to medical school and maybe someday becoming a neurosurgeon.

“In my career, I aim to make a medical breakthrough in treating neurodegenerative diseases and advancing our comprehension of the brain,” Muñoz said. “Thank you to all my teachers, counselors, and support staff at Rosemead. I feel they have put me on the right path toward great success in my life.”

Ung is on a path to Yale University, with hopes to major in computer science or engineering.

“This is a huge step for me. I can’t believe I am going to Yale,” Ung said. “As I assimilate into higher educational spaces, I hope to be able to become a driving force in the tech field, whether it is through AI, software engineering, or computer science in general — the ability to work on technologies that can shape our world motivates my career goals.”

The goal of the QuestBridge National Match Scholarship is to connect high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds with transformative life opportunities.

In 2025, QuestBridge’s 52 college partners matched with more than 2,600 finalists, the highest number of match scholarships in its history, according to the district.

“Congratulations to our QuestBridge scholars, whose hard work and dedication have made them campus leaders and role models for their peers,” Superintendent Edward Zuniga said. “It’s exciting to know that in elite universities across the country, El Monte’s spirit and pride will be well-represented. We can’t wait to see where their journeys lead them from here.”