Whittier Union Senior Looks Towards College After Receiving $50,000 Edison Scholarship

When Whittier High School senior Maggy Guerrero was a young girl, she watched do-it-yourself videos and created handmade projects while dreaming of someday becoming a civil engineer. Joining Whittier High’s Cardinal Academy of Technology (CAT) as a freshman, Guerrero quickly established herself as a top student, with a goal of attending an elite university.

Guerrero received the surprise of a lifetime when representatives from Edison International came to her Cardinal Academy of Technology (CAT) classroom on March 31 and, in front of her family and friends, announced her as a 2026 Edison Scholar. Guerrero received a $50,000 scholarship, making her one of just 30 Southern California students chosen for the prestigious award this year.

“This is so exciting, I can’t believe this happened to me,” Guerrero said. “I want to use my education in civil engineering to serve as a voice for underserved communities. I also want to show that women can be represented in engineering fields, and my experience as a CAT student has motivated and inspired me to do my best.”

Guerrero has been accepted to UC Berkeley but said she is still considering her college options. When applying for the Edison scholarship, Guerrero said that she is interested in designing modern solutions that are affordable, sustainable, and accessible.

“Through persistence and financial help, I can approach engineering with respect to the health and safety of others,” Guerrero said.

Guerrero’s father, Alberto Guerrero, recalls that that when Maggy was a young girl, she was fascinated by NASA and space exploration.

“Maggy was always doing projects. She was a very good student who has always wanted to learn,” Alberto said. “The scholarship means a lot to our family. We are so happy for her; we are grateful to see her get the support she needs to fulfill her dreams.”

Guerrero’s interest in science, technology, emerging, and math (STEM) accelerated when she attended Katherine Edwards Middle School, where she designed and constructed numerous projects that performed simple tasks, like a Rube Goldberg machine, a marble run, a pasta bridge, and a hydraulic arm.

Moving to Whittier High’s CAT pathway, Guerrero has steadily increased her skills and capacity for innovation, learning robotics, Java script, 3-D printing, and computer programming.

As a junior, Guerrero built a cookie machine and now, for her senior project, she is creating an AI assistant that will help students navigate classroom materials easier and answer questions that can support them academically.

This is the CAT program’s second Edison scholarship winner. Whittier High School Class of 2024 graduate and current Cal State Long Beach sophomore Erik Villa received the scholarship in 2024. Prior to the scholarship presentation, Villa spoke to CAT students about his experience as a mechanical engineer major, and how CAT has prepared him to excel.

“Don’t take CAT for granted, because what you learn here will put you ahead of the game,” Villa said. “College can go by in the blink of an eye, and the courses are intense. Keep pushing through your engineering pathway and take advantage of everything that CAT has to offer. This is a valuable opportunity that many engineering students don’t receive.”

For CAT co-director and teacher Daniel Oliver, Guerrero’s success reflects her work ethic and leadership skills. Oliver said her success underscores the positive impact that CAT has had on Whittier High students, giving them a platform to explore their curiosity and preparing them for the rigor of higher education.

“Maggy is an amazing person and a special student who has brought so much to CAT. For her to conclude her studies with an Edison scholarship is a perfect exclamation point for her time here,” Oliver said. “In CAT, we encourage our students to dream big while giving them the tools to make those dreams come true.”