One of the qualities of a leader is someone who's able to set a good example. For Cerritos College women's basketball  sophomore Mariah Lora (Warren HS), she not only set an example in practice and in games, but that also carried over into the classroom. The team's starting point guard was not only a 1st Team All-South Coast Conference South Division selection, she also earned a 4.0 GPA and earned her way onto the Academic All-State Team. Lora also announced that she has signed with NCAA DIII University of La Verne and will have two years of playing eligibility.

In addition to signing with the Leopards, Lora was also the recipient of the prestigious Presidential Scholarship from La Verne, which is the highest academic awarded scholarship by the college. 

"Without question, Mariah's competitive nature and work ethic will translate to the next level," said Falcons head coach Trisha Kozlowkski. "She is willing to do whatever it takes to improve and will work just as hard in practice and the games as she does in the classroom. I think she will compete right away for time and give La Verne options at the point guard and off-guard position."

On the year, Lora averaged 7.5 points per game, along with 3.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists. She saved the best game of her career for her last home game, as she accounted for 24 points, which included a season-high four three-pointers, in the team's win over Compton College. Lora also had an 18-point outburst against Golden West College, which also included four baskets from three-point range and netted 17 points against Reedley College. Also a strong rebounder, she pulled down seven against Los Angeles Harbor College and had five or more in seven other games.

The decision to choose La Verne over other schools was not an easy one for Lora, who had already been accepted academically by other colleges such as UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Long Beach and was waiting to hear back from Occidental College and UCLA. Receiving the Presidental Scholarship, which provides $19,000 a year in scholarship money had a lot to do with the decision.

"I am beyond grateful to have received the Presidential Scholarship from La Verne," stated Lora. "I was chosen as a recipient based upon my academic and personal accomplishments. The faculty of the University of La Verne awarded me this prestigious award of $19,000/year, which will help me tremendously succeed and thrive as a student-athlete at my new school. I was also invited to join the university's Global Ideas Honors Program which is a challenging, comprehensive honors curriculum allowing me to grow as a thinker, writer, and speaker."

Lora, who will major in English, aspires to work in education as an English teacher and eventually wants to move to administration as a Principal and/or a Superintendent.

"La Verne had a need for a point guard and a player who can play both ends of the floor", added Kozlowski. "I think Mariah is a good fit for their system and the philosophy of their program and the entire La Verne campus community. Mariah stepped up and was our go-to point guard this season and was able to improve her on-court vision and getting teammates organized on each set.

Although Cerritos finished the 2019-20 season with an 11-17 record, with four of the losses by four points for less, Lora was one of the key contributors as she averaged 30 minutes a game and started in all 28 games.

Kozlowski feels that Lora will be a natural fit at the Division III level and has the ability to make players around her better. "I think her tenacity on both ends of the floor was evident in both years," continued Kozlowski. "Mariah is not only a good player, but someone with natural leadership qualities that will only help her contribute right away at La Verne."

"The opportunities that Cerritos College has provided me has been an integral part into the student-athlete I am today," said Lora. "As an honors student, I was not only placed in an exciting atmosphere which pushed me to engage in a higher order of thinking, but also prepared me on my pathway to transfer to a four year university of my choosing. I have to thank my parents for instilling in me the importance and benefit of maintaining a high academic standard. I would also like to thank my professors at Cerritos College for being so supportive and insightful on my academic journey."