Pitzil Avila-Castellanos

Recognition

See all awards, honors & leadership

Awards & Honors

Extracurricular & Leadership

  • UC Riverside MEChA Leadership Camp (2024)
  • SheCodes Future Women Developers Conference (2024)
  • Advocacy for State Legislature (2023–2025)
  • Student Think Tank (2023–2025)
  • Foster First — Secretary (2023–2024)
  • University of Michigan Sisters Rise Up (2023–2025)
  • Associated Student Body — President (2024–2025), Rallies Commissioner, Pride and Spirit Commissioner (2022–2025)
  • Latin Student Alliance — Historian, Founding Member (2022–2025)
  • Track and Field — Team Captain, Social Media Manager (2021–2025)
  • Class Cabinet (2021–2025)
  • Redeemed Life Church — Media Ministry, Youth Group Leader (2020–2025)
  • Bithiah's Family Services (2014–Present)
  • Girl Scouts (2012–Present)

Girl Scout Gold Award & Lifetime Member

For translating a court-mandated training manual into Spanish and building mental health resources for youth in foster care.

Linux Foundation Inclusivity Scholar

Selected to attend Open Source Summit North America 2026.

Hispanic Information Technology Executive Council (HITEC) Scholar

Selected for academic and vocational excellence.

APU Trustees Scholar

Awarded for a 4.22 GPA and Valedictorian status at Walnut High School.

Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish

Recognized for proficiency in both Spanish and English.

Valedictorian, Walnut High School

Graduated at the top of my class.

Press

Faith, Code, and Community in APU's Computer Science Degree

Azusa Pacific University · June 2026 · by Bella Youssefian

"We're creating software where students in rural Uganda can build resumes without power or internet access."

Published while I was actively building the Uganda project, this is the most current and most technical coverage: I'm quoted directly on the engineering work itself, not just my advocacy history.

Students make a difference at the school

the hoofprint · November 2024 · by Lydia Chen

Coverage of student organizations' role in school decision-making. I'm pictured and named as the ASB representative alongside leaders from Student Think Tank, Peer Counseling, and Publications.

WHS Holds First Student Think Tank of the Year

the hoofprint · October 2024 · by Trae Contryman

"I think a lot of other people were excited as well because there's so many people at Think Tank this year, way bigger than last year."

I'm quoted as ASB president and Think Tank member.

Getting to Know District of Choice

Diamond Bar-Walnut Patch · April 2024 · by Kelli Gile

"The District of Choice program has opened countless doors for me. I push myself every day to be a better student and person because I know that I have been given an incredible opportunity."

I'm featured as the student voice for California's District of Choice program, the same program SB 897 later made permanent.

Also covered: 1st place, Walnut Valley Water District Media Contest, Walnut High School news (2022). Read the writeup.