By CINDY BITTO
May 15–Cambria Community Scholarship Foundation, formerly University Women, awarded 26 scholarships to qualified students at Coast Union High School, plus one that was previously awarded to a Leffingwell student. A scholarship ceremony was held on the Coast Union High School grounds on Tuesday, May 13. The students were chosen by applications submitted to the organization in February and interviews held at the school in March. They were evaluated based on academic merit, educational growth, community service commitment, personal essay, and recommendations. Personal qualities of focus, motivation, and planning were also deciding factors.
The Coast Union students receiving awards are Diego Castillo, Sienna Chase, Alexander De Alba, Gabriela Espinosa, Keith Fernandez, Jasmine Flores, Giovanni Garcia, Melissa Gomez, Seth Gould, Hailey Hannon, Carolina Hernandez, Gavin Lundy, Declan McKenzie, Catherine Mercado, Jovan Merlos, Marisol Pena Carbajal, Emily Reed, Adrian Rios, Adyson Rixman, June Sanchez, Sean Schalk, Rafael Sepulveda, Jesus Urbina, Gabriel Vargas Leon, Uriel Vargas Leon, and Dane Volz.
Special scholarships in memory of past CCSF members included the Jean Chinnici Memorial Scholarships, given to Gabriela Espinosa and Seth Gould. Jean’s daughters Debbie and Kate and granddaughter Cassandra were honored guests at the event. The Darlene Bowe Memorial scholarship was given to Gavin Lundy. And this year a special Memorial scholarship honoring community member Jeremy Main went to Dane Volz.
President Gayle Jenkins also honored volunteers Linda Melendy and Sarah Moore for a fantastic fundraising year, making it possible for CCSF to award scholarships to Coast Union, Leffingwell and the CCSF’s Re-entry Scholarship program.
Congratulations to these 27 deserving graduates as they pursue their goals and dreams. CCSF members who participated in the scholarship selection agreed it was an honor to be a part of this process and get to know these remarkable students.
