Harvard-bound Senior Yuki Matsumura Named a 2026 Edison Scholar

The Edison Scholars program recognizes students who want to be the makers of tomorrow — the dreamers, inventors, guardians and pioneers — those who dare to be great.

The Edison International Foundation has awarded $50,000 college scholarships to 30 high school seniors with a passion for science, technology, engineering or math (STEM).

This is a chance for students with big dreams to advance their higher education goals and help shape California’s clean energy future.

One of the scholars is Yuki Matsumura of Woodbridge High School in Irvine. Her planned major is environmental science.

For Yuki, the destruction caused by a wildfire doesn’t end once the flames are out. The loss of native plants creates space for invasive species to spread, fueling a cycle of heightened wildfire risk. Working with the Crystal Cove Conservancy, she saw a path forward in data‑driven, locally informed decisions. By earning a degree in environmental science, Yuki will be able to develop sustainable land management strategies for the future.

“I hope to identify which landscapes and communities face the greatest ecological risk and ensure restoration efforts prioritize those with the fewest resources,” she said.

Applicants must be high school seniors with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, plan to pursue STEM programs at a four‑year accredited college or university, and demonstrate a need for financial assistance. Applicants must also live in Southern California Edison’s service area.

Since 2006, Edison International has awarded more than $22 million in scholarships to 850 students through this program. For more information on the program, visit edisonscholars.com.

Q&A with Yuki Matsumura

Let’s start with a quick introduction. How old are you, what school do you attend, and what are some things you’re passionate about?

Hello! My name is Yuki Matsumura, and I am 18 years old. I am a current senior at Woodbridge High School in Irvine, Calif. In school, I’m heavily involved in student leadership, music, and advocacy. I’ve been a part of my school’s class council for two years and Associated Student Body (ASB) for the other two, and I currently serve as my school’s ASB treasurer!

I’ve also had the amazing opportunity to be a part of a choir for all four years of high school, and have tried various types of choir (vocal jazz, mixed choral, treble choir) at the school, district, regional, and state honor choir levels.

Something I’ve been really passionate about, really all my life, is advocacy. Whether that’s advocating for free speech with the National Coalition Ag ainst Censorship or advocating for incoming freshman students as a Link Crew mentor (and Super Crew leader!), I love being able to serve as a voice for others and advocating for issues I am passionate about. I definitely hope to continue advocacy work and pursue similar activities in college!

What does receiving the Edison Scholarship mean to you and your family?

Receiving this Edison Scholarship is so incredibly meaningful for me. As a first‑generation immigrant with parents who didn’t attend college in the United States, I sometimes found myself at a loss as to how to navigate American
high school, how to best prepare myself for college applications in the U.S., and what colleges I should apply to and attend.

This Edison Scholarship’s financial support gives me the flexibility to choose a college based on fit and alignment with my career interests, while also providing me with this great community of like‑minded high school students from Southern California who have pursued their interests in STEM and have made an impact in their communities. Receiving this scholarship has affirmed my journey and all of the values I’ve obtained throughout it.

Can you describe the moment you found out you had been selected for the Edison Scholarship? Where were you and how did you react?

I was actually in the middle of my midterm for my AP Literature class when I was given a slip to go to the Oasis, my school’s wellness room. Because my teacher let me leave during the middle of the timed essay, I was really worried that I was in trouble.

When I got to the Oasis, I was surprised (and relieved) to hear from my counselor that I w as receiving a distinction as an honored student from him. However, when I opened the door to the Oasis, I was completely shocked to see not only my counselor but also my closest friends, favorite teachers, parents, and others.

When my counselor revealed the true nature of the award and introduced Edison
officials, I was still in shock, not only at the award but also at the care and attention Edison officials and my counselor provided to orchestrate this surprise. I am so grateful that I got to share the wave of worry, shock, and happiness with the people that matter most to me.

Tell us a little about your background and your family. Who or what has inspired you most on your academic journey?

I was born in Japan and moved to the United States, specifically Atlanta, Ga., at the age of 5. Since then, I’ve moved over ten times and lived in various environments across the U.S., from Connecticut to the Bay Area to my current home in Southern California.

Throughout this journey, someone who has always inspired me to do well in school and to pursue higher education is my father. Seeing the way he gave up language, comfort, and stability to allow my sisters and me the opportunity to gain a better education and future in America, the way he experienced many sleepless nights, working, to provide for my family, and the way he managed to make time to spend with family, playing some of our favorite games like “Momotaro Dentetsu” and “Mario Kart,” has inspired me to pursue different school and extracurricular activities and put my best foot forward for college and scholarship applications.

What are your college and career goals? Do you already know what field you want to pursue?

This fall, I will be attending Harvard University, where I hope to study environmental science and develop the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to tackle pressing challenges like climate change, habitat loss, and environmental inequity.

I’m especially interested in developing data-driven tools that help identify which landscapes in Southern California and other regions face the greatest ecological risk and help create solutions that not only restore the environment but also make it more resilient to wildfires and other effects of environmental damage.

I hope to take advantage of Harvard’s environmental science opportunities, such as hands-on field work in areas most affected by climate change, and continue building on my experiences in both STEM and advocacy to make a meaningful impact.

Did your teachers encourage your STEM education? Can you give examples?

My teachers have played an instrumental part in my interest in STEM. My favorite class throughout high school was my AP Biology class, where I realized my deep interest in ecology and genetics.

After the ecology unit, I was inspired to apply to and eventually intern with the Crystal Cove Conservancy, where I have helped investigate post-fire restoration strategies by examining biodiversity and foraging quality between canyons and environments in Orange County.

The support of my AP Biology teacher, who not only recommended me for such programs but also boosted my confidence in my ability to learn and adopt STEM in my daily life, has allowed me to explore many different opportunities related to environmental science.

Outside of the classroom, are you involved in any clubs, volunteer work, or hobbies?

Throughout high school, I’ve been involved in many communities outside of the classroom, which have allowed me to interact with so many different perspectives. One activity that has really influenced me is my volunteer position as a tech tutor at my local senior center.

Every week, I head to the senior center after school, where I host a one-on-one session with a senior citizen, helping them use their devices, ranging from copy-and-pasting a news article to videocalling relatives overseas. Throughout these sessions, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with such inspiring, resilient individuals and have learned so much about myself and life from their lessons as well.

I also love learning new languages. Throughout high school, I’ve taken an intro to ASL class and have also taken a Spanish class for three years, and am involved in clubs related to language, such as the Spanish Honors Society.

I am also very involved in my community. As the president of the High School Youth Action Team (HSYAT), I’ve led bi-weekly club meetings and introduced 600+ community service projects for Woodbridge students, while also serving as a representative and voice for 15,000+ Irvine teens.

In my free time, I love playing with my dog Marshmallow, solving jigsaw puzzles, and watching crime documentaries.

What advice would you give to other students who dream of earning a scholarship like this one or want to pursue a STEM career?

My best advice is to seek out different opportunities and take advantage of all the resources you may encounter. I wouldn’t have discovered this scholarship without looking through an online scholarship engine, and I also wouldn’t have had the chance to participate in many experiences that have shaped my career and college interests.

For instance, I discovered a research internship opportunity at UCI through my school’s counseling page and was selected as one of four interns, gaining hands-on, wet-lab experience applying and examining the effects of ethanol on chicken and duck embryos.

Despite not knowing that I wanted to pursue a natural science career in the future, because I was open to trying all opportunities I saw, I was able to figure out what I was truly passionate about. I’ve tried out many different things (humanities-based summer program TASS, civics education organization Civics Unplugged, FGLI nonprofit work with Close the Gap, and more), and each experience, even if it isn’t directly related to my major, has taught me so much more about what I value and hope to do in the future.

With how increasingly competitive college applications have become these past few years, I’ve noticed a sense of pressure for high school students, even freshmen, to decide their intended major early to tailor their extracurricular activities to be most competitive for college applications. I would strongly urge against that, and to rather take the first few years of high school to explore all different interests, and think it’s perfectly fine to not have a super solid idea of your intended college or career interest, because true curiosity shines through.

How will the Edison Scholarship help you with your STEM career?

The Edison Scholarship will not only support my education financially, but will also allow me to continue pursuing work that connects STEM with service rather than spending that time working in a less-related field to pay for college.

Whether through environmental research or community-based initiatives, it gives me the flexibility to focus on projects that create tangible impact while also encouraging me to stay connected to my community and give back in meaningful ways.

Is there anything else you’d like people to know about your journey or what this scholarship has helped make possible for you?

My Japanese American identity has played such an important role in shaping both my values and the way I approach the world. I was influenced by Japanese principles such as minimizing waste and being mindful of the resources we use, as well as showing deep respect and care for elders.

I’ve strived to carry these values into my everyday life, from my interest in environmental sustainability to my work as a tech tutor supporting senior citizens in my community.

At the same time, navigating life between cultures has taught me how important it is to listen to hear, which has been central to both my academic and personal journey. Being able to represent and give back to both sides of my identity is incredibly meaningful to me, and I cannot wait to continue involving myself in Japanese American cultural and interest groups in college and beyond.