“Sweet, caring, very involved in the school community.”
“A giver, not a taker, making a difference in all they are involved in.”
“A friendly face and a joy to be around, a breath of fresh air and radiates sunshine.”
“A lovely young person with a bright smile and compassionate heart.”
These superlatives were used to describe the four San Marino High School seniors who last Friday afternoon received the inaugural Leslie Noelle LienJun Mar Memorial scholarships at the school’s senior awards ceremony. Olivia Cameron, Kyana Huang, Baxton Chen and
Hannah Huynh were the recipients of the scholarship, which the Mar Family said will be awarded annually to graduating seniors who demonstrate well-rounded excellence in academics, athletics and the arts.
Leslie lost her life in a hiking accident last summer and in her memory, the Mar Family established the scholarship fund to preserve her legacy. While at San Marino High School and on the very same Neher Auditorium stage where the scholarships were presented, Leslie once performed in the wind ensemble, had parts in the dramatic musicals each of her four years, led school assemblies as the ASB Senior Class Spirit Commissioner and rallied the school as the captain of the cheer squad. She also played varsity volleyball for the Lady Titans, but still found the time to volunteer countless hours alongside her mother in the community as a member of the National Charity League, San Marino Chapter, where she served as their Cultural Liaison.
After graduating from SMHS, Leslie attended Washington State University, graduating with a degree in Business Administration and majoring in Finance from the Carson School of Business. She began her career shortly after graduation at Fisher Investments, an international investment firm, before her tragic accident. All four of Leslie’s siblings graduated from San Marino High School, including Adrienne, (class of 2005), Stuart (2008), Kelly (2010), and Spencer (2018).
The memorial perpetual plaque, which will remain on display in the lobby at San Marino High School describes the characteristics of a scholarship recipient as having a “Zest for Life.”
“You are all an excellent ambassador for Leslie and will keep her memory alive in the best possible ways,” said Harry Mar, Leslie’s father, during the presentation ceremony.
