Baldwin Park High School graduating seniors Uriel Dominguez and Allan Parra were highlighted for being the recipients of the highly esteemed 2024 Mark Daniel Flores Music Foundation Scholarship. The Mark Daniel Flores Music Foundation is a local non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting music within the community. They support local music programs and offer music scholarships yearly to talented student musicians who are on their way to attending college.
During the Board of Education Meeting, the multi-instrument talents of pianist Uriel Dominguez and flute musician Allan Parra were celebrated with a special spotlight. Elvira Flores, the esteemed founder of the Mark Daniel Flores Music Foundation, took the podium to introduce the scholars and gave them a platform to showcase their winning performances.
Uriel Dominguez started his musical journey with the violin in fifth grade. In middle school, he discovered the viola and the Cello. Dominguez is now the first chair cellist at Baldwin Park High School, and has enjoyed devoting time to learning the piano. In his senior year, he took extra classes to practice the piano. Dominguez has proudly attended countless festivals, such as the Baldwin Park Museum VAPA Gala, Knotts Berry Farm, APU Orchestra, Baldwin Park Chamber Orchestra, and performed for the National Honors Society Award Ceremony. Academically, he has achieved Magna Cum Laude (a GPA of 3.65–3.79) throughout all four years of high school. In addition, he is a part of his community as a server at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church. Looking ahead, he plans to attend Mt. San Antonio College to study Fashion Design.
Allan Parra started playing the violin in fifth grade, and by middle school he transitioned to the flute. Shortly thereafter began the steady path of musical awards at Baldwin Park High School including “Outstanding Musician”, “Band Member” and “Director’s Award.” He was honored with the “Mr. Huerta Award,'' for outstanding performance and growth as a musician and was voted “Marching Band Drum Major.” With his dedication for the Marching Band and strong focus on academics merging, he hoped to combine his musical love with science by enrolling in AP classes. In AP classes, he encountered an academic subject he enjoyed, chemical engineering. He is deeply involved in the community of Baldwin Park devoting time in the Humanitarian Club, NHS, NAMI Club, Recycling Volunteer Works, Breakfast with Santa, and the SCSBOA Tournament. Parra has been accepted into the University of California Berkeley in the field of Chemical Engineering.
Following the student introductions, the Board presented Dominguez and Parra with a special plaque to honor their outstanding academic achievement. In addition, the Board extended heartfelt appreciation to Elvira Flores and the entire foundation with a surprise plaque. This recognition underscored the profound impact of the foundation's generosity on the educational journey of BPUSD students. Through scholarships like these, students are empowered to explore their passion for music while receiving the support they need to flourish.
PHOTOS
BPUSD_MDFMF1: Uriel Dominguez (front left), Elvira Flores (front center), and Allan Parra (front right), pose for a photo holding their scholarships and Board recognition certificates with the Board of Education members and Superintendent Dr. Mendoza.