Alumna wins Jack Kent Cooke Foundation graduate scholarship

Annette Burgueno, a UC Irvine alumna who graduated in June with a bachelor’s in sociology, was recently named a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholarship recipient. Designed to help young people of exceptional promise reach their full potential, the scholarship program awards up to $50,000 annually for up to six years of graduate study. Recipients are chosen for their academic achievement, financial need, will to succeed and leadership and community involvement. Burgueno grew up around neglect, poverty and drug abuse. She found hope through her deaf/mute grandmother. The first in her family to graduate from high school and college, Burgueno will pursue a master’s in social work at USC in the fall, and eventually work as an advocate on behalf of at-risk children and families. UCI’s first Jack Kent Cooke scholar, Burgueno is from Whittier, Calif.