THE DANIEL ENDRISS SCHOLARSHIP-Supporting local students who share Daniel’s dream of helping others to make a difference in the community.
The Daniel Endriss Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 2019 by Marc and Debra Endriss in loving memory and appreciation of the life and spirit of their son. The scholarship fund aims to provide financial assistance to local students committed to pursuing studies in Behavioral Health, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field with the objective is to support students who will carry forward Daniel’s dream of helping others and working with a purpose.
A scholarship in the amount of $2,000 will be awarded to a qualified Eastlake High School Senior attending a four-year college or university.
Applicants intending to major in psychology, behavioral science, or related fields of study are preferred but this is not a prerequisite. The deadline to submit an application is 6/10/2024.
DONATE Daniel’s Story
Daniel Endriss was a lifelong resident of Chula Vista, California. He attended Calvary Christian Academy, Thurgood Marshall Elementary, Eastlake Middle School, and graduated from Eastlake High School in 2015. He studied Biology at San Diego State University and then began his pursuit of a B.S. degree in behavioral health science with an emphasis in childhood and adolescence disorders from Grand Canyon University.
Daniel often expressed his desire to “work with a purpose”. This was reflected in his choice of studies as well as his plans for the future. He had passed the examination to work for the Chula Vista Elementary School District as an Instructional Assistant/Student Attendant and was scheduled to start his orientation for this position at the time of his passing. He wanted to work helping troubled and at-risk children and youth.
Daniel had many interests. He enjoyed playing baseball and spent many happy days with his baseball friends and family. He had a strong interest in science and was a member of the Astronomy Club at Eastlake High and worked as a student research assistant in the Biology department at San Diego State. Daniel was a member of the wrestling team at Eastlake which inspired his martial arts training, and this became a very important part of his life. He trained in Jui-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and Judo. His relationships at Alliance Jiu-Jitsu in Chula Vista were very important in his life.
Daniel’s biggest passion (apart from his love of his family, friends, and long-time girlfriend) was music. He was a gifted guitarist and enjoyed composing his own work. He loved to play anything with strings. He was a self-taught piano player. He had very diverse musical tastes, from classical to metal. He heard music in his head all of his life.
2024 Daniel Endriss Scholarship
2023 Recipient Kristen Halko
Kristen Halko was born and raised in Chula Vista. She attended Salt Creek Elementary, Eastlake Middle, and graduated from Eastlake High. Kristen will be attending North Caroline State University, majoring in Elementary Education with a concentration in STEM, an ESL add-on, and a Minor in Spanish. She plans to complete her master’s at NC State, as well.
Kristen grew up doing dance, club soccer, and club volleyball. While at Eastlake High she played field hockey and lacrosse. Her senior year she served as field hockey team captain. She was also the president and founder of both the EHS Field Hockey Club and the Do it the Write Way Club. Do it the Write Way was a lunchtime club aimed at creating a safe environment for students to journal while promoting positive mental health. Additionally, Kristen served as treasurer for a club promoting Community Initiatives.
An active member of her community, Kristen lent much time to volunteer work. She was a teacher’s aide at the YES Academy Summer Program at Southwestern College, a youth AYSO soccer coach, a tutor for Eastlake Middle School, and a member of ENGin. ENGin is a nonprofit that pairs Ukrainian youth with English speakers to allow them to practice their English language skills.
Kristen would like to thank her third grade teacher, Ms. Edna Sanchez, who inspired her to want to be a teacher, as well as her family: “I hope to model my classroom using her inclusive, positive approach every day. Thank you to my mom, who continues to support me. And thank you to my siblings who taught me lessons for my future classrooms.”
In addition to the Daniel Endriss Memorial Scholarship, Kristen also received the Region 18 Association of California School Administrators Scholarship. Her academic awards include Principal’s Honor Roll, California State Seal of Biliteracy, and Dual Language Immersion. Her athletic awards include All Mesa League field Hockey first team, and 2022 Mesa League Goalie of the year for Lacrosse.
PAST RECIPIENTS
2022 Scholarship Recipient: Jimena Garciaprieto
The 2022 Daniel Endriss Memorial Scholarship Committee is very pleased to announce Jimena Garciaprieto as the recipient of this year’s award.
Jimena is a graduate of Eastlake High School (Class of 2022). She graduated with Honors and was the Student Senator for the Class of 2022. Jimena was active on campus as a member of Key Club, Link Crew, Mercury, and danced as a member of the esteemed Eastlake Dance Company. She attended Salt Creek Elementary and Eastlake Middle School before becoming a Titan and Eastlake High. Jimena also played soccer for the Bonita Matrix Club from the ages of 10 to 17.
While Jimena was born in Denver, Colorado, she was raised between Tijuana, Mexico, and San Diego, California. She notes the most important influences in her life as her mom and older sister. “Both of them raised me to be a strong, independent woman and taught me that I can achieve anything I set my mind to.” They are her biggest support systems.
Jimena will attend Colorado School of Mines where she will study Environment Engineering. She hopes to do a dual, extended year program where she earns both her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in 5 years. She is impassioned to get to work fighting the climate crisis.
Thank you Jimena for sharing our mission to make a difference in our communities and in our world. We are so grateful to be able to help you achieve your goals!
2021 Scholarship Recipient: Isabellla Alcocer
The 2021 Daniel Endriss Memorial Scholarship Committee is very pleased to announce Isabella Alcocer as the recipient of this year’s award.
Bella is a graduate of Eastlake High School (class of 2021). She was named to the Principal’s Honor Roll and earned an impressive total of seven scholarship awards this year for her outstanding academic and service achievements. In addition to our scholarship, Bella received scholarships from Trane Technologies, Cox Charities, the Sweetwater Women’s Club, the Gandhi Scholarship, the Kyoto Prize Scholarship, and the Luis Arellano Scholarship.
While Bella was born in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, she grew up in Chula Vista. She attended Arroyo Vista Elementary, Eastlake Middle School, and is a recent graduate of Eastlake High School. While at EHS, she was active in Track, Cross Country, and Mountain Biking. She was also a member of the Red Cross Club, and worked at the Red Cross Youth Headquarters in San Diego.
Bella cites her mother Della, sister Sofia, grandmother Abue Rose, and aunt Sonia as major influences in her life and thanks them for their love and support throughout what has been a very challenging yet rewarding journey. In discussing the challenges of the pandemic Bella wrote:
“…due to this pandemic, I have seen the resilience inside of me and what I am truly capable of doing despite my circumstances or challenges. I have seen the value of perseverance and the value of having a strong community and support system. I will forever carry these lessons with me as I go into college and into the work field. That no matter what comes my way I will always seek solutions, remain sedulous, and I will never use my circumstances as an excuse for inaction.”
Bella will attend the University of California-Berkeley in the fall and plans to major in Integrative Biology. She aspires to earn either a PhD. in Integrated Biology or an M.D. with the goal of becoming a pediatrician treating children with genetic disorders.
We thank and congratulate Bella for her participation in our very dear mission of continuing Daniel’s journey to make a difference. We are very proud of you!
2020 Scholarship Recipient: Sarah Woodward
The 2020 Daniel Endriss Memorial Scholarship Committee is very pleased to announce Sarah Woodward as the recipient of this year’s award. Sarah is a graduate of Eastlake High School (Class of 2020). She was an AP Scholar with Honor and was named to the Principal’s Honor Roll upon graduation. She is also the recipient of a scholarship from The Western Undergraduate Exchange Program. She began at Montana State University in the fall of 2021.