On Feb. 2, two high school seniors at Sacred Heart High School in Lincoln Heights were awarded full four-year college scholarships to their school of choice. Arte Moreno, an American businessman and owner of the baseball team the Los Angeles Angels, funded the generous award through his charity foundation.

Judith Estrada and Alexis Herrera, both 17, are the recipients of the award. Estrada is hoping to pursue chemistry at Loyola Marymount University or UCLA, while Herrera is hoping to major in English with a minor in Secondary Education at the University of San Francisco or Boston College. The school’s principal, Raymond Saborio, said of Herrera’s decision to pursue teaching, “I told her she has a job waiting.”

The two girls were selected for being the top two academically of their class and for being active volunteers in their community and parish. The two girls are also members of student government and school athletes.

“I am very appreciative and grateful that Arte believes in our girls, our school and what our school is doing and is all about,” Saborio told The Tidings. He added that he was extremely proud of Estrada and Herrera.

Saborio hopes the award will turn into an annual occurrence. “It is our hope and desire that this partnership will continue into the future,” he said.