Tietjen Scholars
Founded in 2017, the John P. and John C. Tietjen Scholarship Fund honors the lifelong commitment to education of my Father, John P. Tietjen, and my only sibling, my older brother, John C. Tietjen.
My Father returned from WWII, having survived the Normandy landing, and was later the only survivor of a bombing that left him hospitalized in England for many months. After completing his Bachelor’s Degree at the University of California, he taught for 37 years (at the same public high school). My brother, also a UC graduate, followed directly in our father’s footsteps, teaching nearly 35 years before a terminal illness forced him into an unwanted early retirement.
I lost both of them within a year of each other and could think of no better way to pay tribute to their commitment to public education (which spanned 70+ years combined) than to create this Fund. Nothing would make my father and brother smile more than to see hard-working students attending college and achieving their goals and dreams.
-Robert Tietjen, Board Member
Join the Tietjen family by donating directly to the scholarship fund, which supports students pursuing higher education and provides much-needed student debt relief.
Gerardo Tapia received his first of two Tietjen Scholarships in 2021. He graduated in June 2025 from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, concentrating in Mechatronics. He was active in CAPED, contributing to projects in animatronics, theme park design, and a ride model that placed 3rd and won fan favorite at the 2025 Ride Engineering Competition. He also worked on the Poly 1 Mars Rover project. Gerardo recently accepted a position with the Disney College Program in Orlando and plans to pursue a career in the Themed Entertainment Industry.
Eiara Fajardo received her first of four Tietjen Scholarships in 2019. She graduated from Drexel University in 2024 with a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering and now works as an R&D Lab Technician at Captura, a company focused on reducing atmospheric CO2 through direct ocean capture. She tests ion exchange membranes for their electrodialysis system, bringing experience from prior work in battery technology, coatings, and undergraduate research.
Chloe Gaume received her first of two Tietjen Scholarships in 2021. After graduating from UCLA in 2023, she began an internship (now a full-time role) with Major League Baseball in New York City. She works with the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.), helping former players transition to new careers. One of her key projects is a newsletter that shares success stories, job opportunities, and resources.
Linda Garcia received four Tietjen scholarships between 2019 and 2022. In June 2023, she graduated from University of CA, Irvine with a B.A. in Public Health Sciences and minor in Medical Anthropology.
Eloisa Peraza received several scholarships between 2019 and 2022. In May 2022, she graduated from Cal State University, Los Angeles with a B.A. in Chicano & Latino Studios. Eloisa now works part time at Boys & Girls Club of Hollywood and is an integral part of our staff.
2019 Tietjen Scholars pictured with Robert Tietjen (from left to right): Madeline Son, Eloisa Peraza, D’Angelo Guerrero, Linda Garcia, Eiara Fajardo and Ximena Diaz