Dominguez High School senior Jair Romano Pantaleon received a life-changing surprise this week, earning a prestigious $50,000 scholarship from Edison International during a celebratory ceremony in the Dominguez gym surrounded by classmates, counselors, staff, cheerleaders, the marching band, and both district and Edison leadership. His parents were also there to witness the amazing presentation.

Jair is one of only 30 students selected for the highly competitive Edison Scholars Program, which recognizes outstanding high school seniors who plan to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). The scholarship awards $50,000 to support recipients as they attend accredited four-year colleges or universities and work toward degrees in STEM-related fields. In addition to financial support, the program highlights students who demonstrate a strong commitment to innovation, academic excellence, and making a positive impact in their communities.

Jair’s application stood out for his passion for technology and his goal of pursuing a future in software engineering. He plans to attend either Stanford University, University of California, Los Angeles, or University of California, Riverside this fall, where he will major in computer science and continue building the skills needed to thrive in the tech industry. Stanford is his first choice and expects to hear from them in the next week or two.

The surprise celebration was a powerful moment for the entire Dominguez High School community, reflecting both Jair’s hard work and the district’s ongoing commitment to preparing students for success in high-demand STEM careers.

Compton Unified School District proudly congratulates Jair Romano Pantaleon on this incredible achievement and looks forward to seeing all he will accomplish in the years ahead.