"I'm extremely grateful for Pepperdine's support which has enabled me to reach for my educational goals. The Rogers Guardian Scholars, LisaKay Epstein Scholarship, and the Pepperdine Horizon Scholars Emergency Fund have made this all possible. I'm overcoming many challenges and am now helping other foster youth thrive."

As a first-generation college student of color, Joshua Elizondo grew up in the foster care system. Without consistent parental guidance or financial support, Elizondo found that reaching for his dream of higher education was challenging but always remained in his heart. Thanks to being awarded Pepperdine's Horizon Scholarship, he is finally realizing that dream. The Pepperdine 地平线学者计划 supports foster youth students at all five Pepperdine schools, helping them fulfill their higher education goals and, at the same time, inspiring others.

The recipient of the 2022 FosterMorey for Scholar of the Year, Elizondo is in his third semester at 西维尔大学 focusing on international studies–specifically global politics with a minor in social work. While maintaining a high GPA, he also advocates for foster youth on the California 社区 College (CCC) level and sits on the Board of Governors overseeing the CCC's 116 schools.

"I'm extremely grateful for Pepperdine's support which has enabled me to reach for my educational goals," Elizondo says. "The Rogers Guardian Scholars, LisaKay Epstein Scholarship, and the Pepperdine Horizon Scholars Emergency Fund have made this all possible. 我克服了许多挑战，现在正在帮助其他寄养青年茁壮成长。”

Elizondo is actively involved with the 地平线学者计划 and is hopeful that his efforts will increase the population of fosters at Pepperdine. According to Deborah Armstrong, Horizon Scholars program director, Elizondo has been a diligent and dedicated student worker.

"Our program has been blessed to learn many things from him due to his first-hand experience in the foster system and his leadership roles in many foster programs both on the federal and 华体会体育 level," Armstrong notes. "Joshua has been a student speaker for different presentations we have held and he is an inspiration to younger foster youth considering higher education and hopefully Pepperdine as a destination. I'm looking forward to working with him another year."

As for his future plans after obtaining his BA degree, Elizondo wants to get into the political field and use his platform for social change.