This well-spoken student at Tehipite Middle School is one of 443 students at his school in the program , which rewards students who successfully complete the requirements through their senior year in high school with a $ 1,000 scholarship for each of their first two years of college .

“ I want to do Steve ’ s Scholars so I can make it to college ,” Miguel said . “ It ’ s teaching me to focus on tasks and to work up to something big .”

Tehipite Principal Marilyn Lopez- Cuevas said Miguel is a straight-A student with perfect attendance .

“ Miguel is a very respectful , trustworthy , kind and compassionate scholar . He is wellliked by peers and staff because of his ability to connect well with all that surrounds him ,” Lopez-Cuevas said . “ He is also very self-determined and meets the goals he sets for himself . As a communicator , he thrives at showing empathy and relating to others ’ perspectives as well as being willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needs it .”

Miguel was awarded the Principal ’ s Medallion Award for his outstanding academic and attendance achievement during the last school year . He was also awarded the Kiwanis Rotary of Fresno Character Recognition Award .

Miguel was born in the Philippines , coming to the United States when he was 4 or 5 . His parents

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Miguel Amora , forefront , is a straight-A student in the Steve ’ s Scholars program at Tehipite Middle School .

are Adrienne Amora and Jeremy Looney . His favorite subject is P . E . ( he likes basketball best ) but also enjoys his elective class , ethnic studies .

“ They teach us about racism and everything ,” he said .

He likes to play with the family dogs at home , two of whom are named for Kourtney and Kim Kardashian . His goal is to be an entrepreneur , but he also wants to help the poor and , “ give back to the world .” He is learning more about volunteering through the Steve ’ s Scholars program , which requires students to serve their community . Miguel is helping with the community garden at Tehipite .

Steve ’ s Scholars was established in 2012 by Francine and Murray Farber to honor their son , who died unexpectedly in 2001 at age 42 . Their goal is to encourage students at Tehipite to strive for good grades and attendance , learn social responsibility through community service , and attend college .

To achieve a Steve ’ s Scholar scholarship , students must maintain at least a B average and at least 95 % attendance in grades 7-12 . They are also required to take California ’ s college preparatory courses , known as A through G classes , and complete community service annually .

Steve ’ s Scholars is funded with $ 1 million from the Farber ’ s son ’ s estate , a gift to the Farbers ’ from his widow . Steve Farber was an energetic Silicon Valley entrepreneur and investor . He passed away about a year after retiring .

The Farbers , who are in their 80s , launched Steve ’ s Scholars to help “ level the playing field ” for Tehipite , where the average family annual income is about $ 18,000 .

In June , 38 seniors graduated as Steve ’ s Scholars . They all attended Tehipite but graduated from Duncan Polytechnical , Fresno , McLane , Sunnyside and Roosevelt high schools .

Miguel ’ s advice to other students in the program : “ Keep on doing the hard work and keep on trying .”