With a clear vision for her future, 11th grader Malak Amer is making her mark at Pivot Riverside through academic excellence, leadership, and a determination to graduate a year early.
Malak was recently selected as a recipient of the 2026 Exceptional Scholar Awards – Barbara Hale Exceptional Scholar Award Scholarship. This distinguished honor recognizes outstanding students across Riverside County for their academic achievements and dedication.
“Malak has consistently been motivated by a strong desire to succeed and create opportunities for her future,” said Luis Portilla, Malak’s Academic Counselor. “Being selected as a county scholar is a significant accomplishment and reflects her hard work and dedication throughout high school.”
Since joining Pivot in 2023, Malak has taken full advantage of the school’s flexible model and dual enrollment opportunities. Inspired by her sister, who also graduated early, Malak has already completed over 12 college units at Santa Rosa Junior College. She particularly enjoyed courses like Biological Anthropology and “Race, Ethnicity, and Gender in American Culture,” which sparked her interest in the intersection of history and science.
“I’ve always felt very comfortable and confident throughout my online education as I was given the resources I needed to grow, be self-sufficient, and had an amazing, helpful team both on-site and off,” she explained.
Looking ahead, Malak plans to turn her passion for historical artifacts into a career in Art Conservation to combine interests in art history, chemistry, and restoration. She has already been accepted to UC Riverside, UC Davis, and Queens University in Canada. Her long-term goal is to earn a Master’s in Art Conservation and work in museums preserving cultural heritage.
For students looking to follow in her footsteps, Malak’s advice is simple: stay determined and find your passion.
“Everything I’ve done at Pivot has been very intentional,” she said. “Find your own personal passion and use it to help yourself, or the world, become better.”