About Ruben
The Ruben Mejia STEM Foundation provides scholarships for Watsonville High School seniors pursuing a post secondary education in a STEM field in honor of Ruben Mejia. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
Ruben Mejia was born in Watsonville CA on August 10th, 1977 to Mexican immigrant parents, he was the 11th born of 14 siblings. In high school he was a star football player, threw shotput and wrestled. His athletic ability along with his G.P.A. peaked the interest of college football programs, including Yale, though he decided to step away from football to pursue his academics. He earned his bachelor’s at University of California, San Diego where he majored in Biology and minored in Art. After college, he moved back to Watsonville and married his high school sweetheart, Erin, in 2001. Together they had two children, Lily born in 2004 and Diego in 2007. Ruben was a high school teacher at Watsonville High School for nearly 20 years, teaching biology in both English and Spanish, as well as a class in Natural Resources.
Ruben could walk into a room and make friends with anyone - that was the kind of personality he had. His quick wit and sense of humor could make everyone smile. He never shied away from sharing knowledge, wisdom, and perspective, especially with his students. Ruben was family oriented, always reliable and consistent. Within 43 years, Ruben inspired countless lives. He was a role model for his students, a true friend, and an anchor to his family. Ruben understood first hand that some of our community’s brightest kids face financial barriers that prevent them from pursuing their educational and career goals. He believed that all students deserve a quality education. The Ruben Mejia STEM Foundation carries on his legacy by empowering students to follow their dreams.
Scholarship Recipients
Each year, we carefully select deserving winners from Watsonville High School seniors who aspire to pursue careers in STEM. Our selection process ensures that recipients are committed to academic excellence, with a minimum GPA of 3.5. We prioritize candidates who have been accepted for enrollment in a 4-year university.