The Dana Point Surf Club has announced its 2025 scholarship recipients, Dana Hills High School seniors Baron Bañuelos and Tosh Johnson. Both students will be honored during a light breakfast event on Tuesday, May 13, and each will receive a $1,000 scholarship, which will be applied toward their college textbook expenses. The scholarships are presented by Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Spa.
Bañuelos, a standout member of the Dana Hills Varsity Surf Team, has excelled in both academics and athletics throughout his high school career. His journey on the team began with a goal of making the Varsity Surf Team as a freshman. Not only did he achieve that goal, but he also became the No. 1 seed for the longboard division. Over the next four years, Bañuelos earned the team’s MVP award three times and was named recipient of the Coach’s Award in his junior year. This year, he secured the South Coast League championship title in longboarding. Bañuelos, who boasts a 4.3 GPA, will pursue a major in International Business at San Diego State University in the fall. He is also a musician, playing bass guitar with his band.
Johnson, a longtime member of the Dana Point Surf Club, has earned recognition for his competitive surfing and community involvement. In 2023, he took first place at the Cosmic Creek event and secured a top-four finish at the League Championships at Upper Trestles—a feat he repeated in 2024. Johnson was also named the 2024 League Champion in the shortboard division of the Orange County High School Scholastic Surf Series. Beyond surfing, Johnson has demonstrated leadership and academic excellence. He was awarded the Chemistry Department Award in 2023 and served as president of the Dana Hills High School Ecology Club. He has also volunteered at The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano. Johnson will continue his academic and surfing endeavors at the University of Hawai‘i-Mānoa.
Eric Diamond, founder and president of the Dana Point Surf Club, praised both students for their dedication to the club and their communities. “Baron and Tosh have been outstanding ambassadors for the Dana Point Surf Club both in and out of the water,” Diamond said. “Their contributions to the team and the community set them apart as exceptional candidates for this scholarship.”
The Dana Point Surf Club continues to support local student-athletes, fostering both academic and athletic excellence in the community.