Shara Chavez ’26 Named Carlsbad Chamber Rising Star of the Year Scholarship Recipient

We are proud to share that graduating senior Shara Chavez has been named one of the 2026 Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Rising Stars of the Year scholarship recipients through the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation.

Selected from more than 35 students representing six local high schools, Shara was recognized for demonstrating character, integrity, love of learning, and meaningful involvement in both school and community life. She is one of just 10 students selected to receive a portion of the organization’s $16,000 in scholarship awards and was honored at the Rising Stars breakfast celebration held on May 19 in Carlsbad.

Throughout her time at Pacific Ridge School, Shara has been a thoughtful leader and positive force within the community. In addition to her academic achievements, she has been deeply involved in dance and served as a leader of the First Gen Affinity Group.

“Shara has persevered through illness,” shared Ghiya Ali, Director of Community & Inclusion at Pacific Ridge. “Despite having missed significant amounts of school, being heavily engaged in dance and leading First Gen Affinity over the course of her time at PRS, she was forced to take a step back to focus on health. Her humility, grace, and willingness to focus on herself led to an interest in nutrition, which will be a point of focus in her studies at UC Davis.”

Ali continued, “Despite setbacks, she is a driver of positive school culture, academically a rockstar, and a rising star for not just the PRS community, but officially Carlsbad and soon to be Davis!”

Congratulations, Shara, on this well-deserved recognition. We are excited to see all that you accomplish at University of California, Davis and beyond.