"This is a number way higher than last year," said Louise Gill, the school's career and college career center technician.

From corporate awards such as the Toyota Motor Manufacturing scholarship to such local honors as the John DiTullio scholarship and athletic memorial scholarships, students at Willow Glen High are getting a positive start to their college careers.

Tina Van Laarhoven, assistant principal for guidance, credits this year's award and scholarship harvest to Gill's persistent efforts in reaching out to the students and pushing them to complete their applications on time.

"She finds out the deadlines for the scholarships, finds the students who are eligible and calls them in a week before it's due," Van Laarhoven said. "She'll even get them to come into the center and have them write the essay."

Gill, who joined the school in September last year, sees the scholarship drive as a part of a broader effort to create a college-going culture.

To raise awareness about available scholarships, Gill initiated a "Scholarship of the Day" campaign, where information about a scholarship program is announced every day. This way, teachers can help promote the scholarships to their students, Gill said.

A $10,000 grant from the Willow Glen Foundation also made it possible for the center to purchase 10 wireless computers and other equipment to make it easier for students to write their essays and file their applications, Gill added.

Together with grade-level advisers, Gill gives scholarship presentations to students and has evening workshops for parents to increase family involvement.

Gill spends a great deal of time sifting through scholarships, identifying eligible students and working with teachers to push the students to fill out the necessary forms.

"Partly it's a lack of understanding that the money is even out there," Gill said. "No student should say they cannot go to college because of money. There's always help out here in some shape or form."

The high number of awards and scholarships is part of a school trend. The high school has also seen a 39-point increase in its Academic Performance Index scores this year.

The school also witnessed a19 percent drop in Fs and a 5 percent increase in As, during the fall of 2004.

"We have incredible kids. They are bright, diligent and talented," said James Lovelace, assistant principal for instruction. "It's a reflection of who they are."

Attendance has also increased by 1 percent consistently during the school year. School staff targeted their efforts through house visits to reach 82 students who missed more than 15 percent of school.

"Our continued efforts to make sure students come to school has brought substantial improvement. Better attendance leads to better grades," Lovelace said. "Success begets success."