Five students from Baldwin Park’s Jones Junior High will receive $2,000 Education Trust Awards to defray college costs thanks to California GEAR UP, a program designed to boost higher education enrollment by low-income students.

The awards were presented during an event attended by retiring GEAR UP coach Barbara Sedano, the students’ parents and teachers.

The 2014-15 recipients are Maria Alvarez, Aizza Carrillo, Arturo Escobedo, Shene Martinez and Victoria Sanchez.

“It is always gratifying to see our excellent students recognized by programs like GEAR UP, which will help them Sevillano said.

GEAR UP stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. So far, California GEAR UP has awarded 5,370 middle school students $10.7 million in grants to help pay college expenses.

School leaders led by Principal Elizabeth Cox and counselor Sergio Barragan submitted the applications to the California Student Aid Commission for consideration. 

Rosa Penado, a teacher at Jones Junior High, said the awards recognize how dedicated the students are to their education.

“We often see these students struggle in their classes and give so much of The funds will be held in trust by the California Student Aid Commission until the students enter college.