A normal day in the classroom for Mira Costa Senior Dylan Iskandar turned into one that will be remembered for a lifetime.
MBUSD Superintendent John Bowes, Mira Costa staff, Dylan’s family, and representatives from Edison International — Southern California Edison’s parent company — made a surprise visit during his 5th-period class last week with some big news.
“Congratulations Dylan, I am here to let you know that you are a 2023 recipient of the Edison Scholarship, $50,000 for the college of your choice to pursue STEM studies,” said Carol Choi, senior vice president of corporate affairs at Southern California Edison and Edison International.
Cheers from his fellow classmates erupted as Iskander accepted the check.
“This scholarship is not only a financial relief for me and my family, but also a validation of their investment through hard work and dedication,” Iskandar said. “I’m very grateful to the scholarship committee for this opportunity and I hope to make them proud.”
Each year, Edison International recognizes 30 students in California with this honor, which targets graduating high school seniors who harbor big dreams of becoming difference-makers pursuing a degree related to science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM).
Those big dreams for Iskander are becoming a reality. He intends to use a computer science education to create solutions to real-world problems and create a positive impact. And for him, the scholarship recognition was about those who inspired him.
“As the son of first-generation immigrants, I’ve been eternally grateful for all the sacrifices that my parents and grandparents have made to help further my education,” Iskandar said.
“Now, I’m in a position where I hope to give back to my community and inspire other young people from similar backgrounds to pursue their dreams.”
The mission of the Edison International program is to help students pursue their college pursuits. “Making them a reality, and making the world a brighter and better place,” said Choi.
Bowes thanked Southern California Edison and congratulated Dylan for distinguishing himself from other scholars. Iskandar was all smiles as he held the large check in front of his classmates and teacher, and was also given the coveted SCE medal to wear.
“It feels great,” he said. “It feels like all my hard work is paying off.”
Iskandar is currently deciding between pursuing Computer Science/Applied Math at Stanford University or a dual degree in Computer Science/Economics at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.
From a young age, Iskandar was curious about the world around him. “I was always driven to tinker and wonder how things work,” he said.
Pursuing a career in STEM was an obvious choice for him, as he was inspired by his dad and grandfather, who were both engineers.
“I admired their curiosity, ingenuity, and skill, and I wanted to follow in their footsteps,” Iskandar said. “They taught me that engineering is not only a profession but also a way of thinking and a passion for learning.”
And as he went through MBUSD schools his infatuation for computers grew, from block-coding through the Scratch platform to taking computer science courses at Mira Costa. Iskandar said this led him to discover the power and potential of computer science to create solutions for various problems and needs. Soon he found himself steaming ahead and paving the way to a better world.
In his SCE scholarship profile, Dylan showcased that he is already using his computer coding and programming skills to help others. Through the Google Coding Competition, he developed an app that provided an immersive learning experience to teach geography to elementary students through a fun and interactive method.
When the pandemic hit, Dylan and his brother, who is a sophomore at Mira Costa, developed an app called “GroceryBuddies” to help at-risk patients in the community and promote local family-owned businesses. Iskandar also wrote and developed a research paper for the Air Force Research Laboratory to help defend against drone attacks using a machine learning algorithm and high-powered laser defense system. Most recently, Iskandar combined his interests in music and piano performance with technology and created dynamicGrammars, a web tool that allows beginner musicians to create new and creative songs with computer algorithms. This interdisciplinary development allows for the growth of human-centered innovation.
This drive is what also sparked Iskandar’s interest in pursuing the Edison scholarship, with the help of Mira High School Counselor Brittney Oystrick, who wrote a recommendation for him.
“You are not only an exceptional student, but you are also an amazing human,” Oystrick said. “We are very proud of you and excited for your future.”
(Left to Right: Vice Principal Amanda Vavao, Dylan Iskandar, MCHS School Counselor Brittney Oystrick, and MBUSD Superintendent Dr. John Bowes) Photo by MBUSD.
Iskandar said none of this would have been possible without the support system at Mira Costa and the Mustang community.
“The biggest thing I will remember here at Costa are the teachers and friends who have helped me grow into the person I am today.”
Iskandar already has a vision of his dream job.
“I aim to inspire and empower the next generation of young engineers to think creatively toward solving pressing problems within our communities, including starting my own tech startup that focuses on developing innovative solutions to pressing societal issues to bridge our digital divide,” he said.
Once Iskandar completes his first year of college, he will be eligible for a paid summer internship with SCE. This year there were 517 applicants.
Edison International has awarded more than $13.5 million in scholarships to 730 students through this program since 2006. ER
