CAMARILLO, Calif. (July 11, 2013)---- The Ventura County Community Foundation awarded nearly $1.2 million in scholarships to local students at the recent Scholarship Awards Reception attended by close to 400 students, their families and donors who made the awards
possible.
The Community Foundation gave just under 300 awards to 238 students bound for college or career training. This included the new Michael Gordon Burgos Memorial Scholarship, honoring the late Ventura County counselor who believed in the power of education to change lives.
"These scholarships are made possible by the generosity of people who believe in investing in the future of Ventura County," said Hugh J. Ralston, president and CEO of the community foundation. "The opportunity for just one student to attend college can transform that person, a family and a community."
In honor of its 25th anniversary, VCCF created a new scholarship to help local students pursue a graduate degree.
Since its founding in 1987, the Ventura County Community Foundation has awarded more than $9.6 million in scholarships and is the local leader in granting financial aid to Ventura County youth.
The scope of this annual undertaking would not be possible without dozens of unsung volunteers who have worked behind the scenes since the January application deadline, Ralston noted. A team of 19 volunteers processed the more than 1,900 applications received; screening the applications to make sure they complied with the guidelines set by donors. Several committees with a total of 81 volunteers reviewed and rated the 1,156 eligible applications and made recommendations, which were approved by the VCCF board of directors in early May.
For more information on VCCF's scholarship programs, go to vccf.org/scholarship or contact Virginia Weber, program officer scholarships, at (805) 988-0196, Ext. 119.
Below are the 2013 Ventura County Community Foundation scholarship winners, listed by city of residence:
Agoura
Russell Skinner, Michael A. DiRaimondo Foundation Scholarship ($10,000)
Alhambra
Nicole Coppage, Dr. Ralph B. Busch, Jr., Memorial Scholarship Fund ($5,000)
Camarillo
Taylor Beck, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Kelsea Bergh, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Isabel Blair, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Ian Carr, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Alison Cosgrove, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Nicholas De Los Santos, Community and Folk Art Scholarship Fund ($500), William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000) and the Jean Weber Memorial Scholarship Fund ($1,000); Cody Douglas, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Tiffany Fischer, VCCF Scholarship Grants Fund ($800); Jairo Gonzalez, Michael Gordon Burgos Memorial Scholarship Fund ($1,500); Mackenzie Greer, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Alyssa Herman, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Shelby Jacobsen, Stephen Devron Resnik Memorial Scholarship ($1,000); Jongbae Jang, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000); Ayame Kristofferson, TEACh Scholarship Fund ($1,500); Sarah Kurpiewski, Jean Weber Memorial Scholarship Fund ($1,000); Saamon Legoski, VCCF Scholarship Grants Fund ($800); Kelsey McDonald, Charles K. and Ola I. Gose Scholarship ($1,000); Megan McKnelly, Stanley E. Cohen Memorial Education Fund ($750); Molly Menne, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000); Raegan Nizdil, Bob Beltramo Memorial Scholarship Fund for Athletic Sportsmanship ($1,000); Jessica Ontiveros, Bob Beltramo Memorial Scholarship Fund for Athletic Sportsmanship ($1,000); Anna Petrinec, Gary W. Chism Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) and the Laura Duval Toomey Saticoy Poinsettia Club Scholarship ($1,500); Cassandra Scollick, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500) Betty Stearns, Semtech Scholarship ($5,000); Anthony Teart, Bob Beltramo Memorial Scholarship Fund for Athletic Sportsmanship ($1,000); Jessica Tran, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Esteban Vega, Bob Beltramo Memorial Scholarship Fund for Athletic Sportsmanship, ($1,000); Zheyuan Xu, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000)
Daly City
Jessie Peterson, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500), TEACh Scholarship Fund ($1,500) and the TEACh Opportunity Scholarship Fund ($3,000)
Fillmore
Brooke Aguirre, William P. Reiman Memorial Scholarship ($800) and the Milton McKevett Teague Scholarship ($2,000); Chloe Keller, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Joel Orozco, (Finch Family Scholarship ($5,000); Maria Villalobos, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000)
Lexington
Joy Coles, Rosellen Dee Pearsall Nurse Scholarship ($4,000); Stephanie Riggle, Rosellen Dee Pearsall Nurse Scholarship ($4,000)
Lompoc
Jennina Berg, TEACh Opportunity Scholarship Fund ($1,000)
Moorpark
Allyson Adams, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Jonathan Blufer, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Alexandra Garcia, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500) and TEACh Scholarship Fund ($1,500); Annie Hadley, Vicky Howard Community Service Award Scholarship ($500) and Second Century Legacy Fund Scholarship ($500); Andrea Ives, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000), John and Agnes McFarlane Scholarship ($5,000) and the Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Cristina Miranda, TEACh Opportunity Scholarship Fund ($4,500); Estephanie Morales, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000); Victoria Velasquez, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000)
Newbury Park
Samuel Blaustein, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Brittany Brown, John and Agnes McFarlane Scholarship ($5,000), Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500) and the Iris and Roger (Spike) Wilkins Scholarship Fund ($1,000); Nicole Chernavsky William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Roshan Desai, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Kala Jankowski, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Kellie McPherson, John and Agnes McFarlane Scholarship ($5,000) and the Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Elyse Pennington, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Briane Seligman, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Danna Seligman, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Nicholas Thom, TEACh Opportunity Scholarship Fund ($4,500); Benjamin Zhao, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000)
Oak Park
Calvin Earp, Jan Heyne Memorial Scholarship Fund ($5,000) and the SAGE Scholarship ($1,500); Rebecca Gordon, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Nirupam Nigam, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Michelle Smolarski, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000)
Oak View
Laura Benard, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000)
Ojai
Molly Allison, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Kayley Cox, Dennis S. Ford Memorial Scholarship ($1,000); Chelsea Davis, SAGE Scholarship ($1,500); Austin Devine, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000) and the SAGE Scholarship ($1,500); Hannah Grant, Dennis S. Ford Memorial Scholarship ($1,000); Emily Hall, Berenice Barnard Music Specialist Scholarship ($1,000), Berenice Barnard Music Education Scholarship ($700) and the William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Emily Heath, Michael Gordon Burgos Memorial Scholarship Fund ($1,500); John and Agnes McFarlane Scholarship ($2,500) and the Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Sarah Heath, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Paola Lule, Destino Scholarship Fund ($2,500); William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000) and the John and Agnes McFarlane Scholarship ($5,000); Tayla Muise, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500) and the TEACh Scholarship Fund ($1,500); Rodney Owen, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Audrey Pennington, Berenice Barnard Music Specialist Scholarship ($1,000) and the Young Artists Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Tait Rains, John and Agnes McFarlane Scholarship ($2,500) and the Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Helen Seligman, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000)
Oxnard
Paola Acosta, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000); Ariana Alaniz, ¡Adelante! Scholarship Fund ($4,000); Jason Amurao, Ventura County Medical Education Fund (Forgivable Loan) ($3,500); Alecia Badget, Paul Lehmann Memorial Scholarship ($500); Kamarreya Baxter, Oscar and Aileen Horn Scholarship ($500); Presis Bryson, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500) and the TEACh Scholarship Fund ($750); Claude Cahuantzi, Michael Gordon Burgos Memorial Scholarship Fund ($1,500); Cyn Hee Choi, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Andrea Dunphy, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000) and the Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Omar Escovedo, VCCF Scholarship Grants Fund ($800); Erick Espinoza, Michael Gordon Burgos Memorial Scholarship Fund ($1,500); Suzanne Flores, Iris and Roger (Spike) Wilkins Scholarship Fund ($1,000); Stephanie Gamboa, Margaret A. Tompkins Oxnard Monday Club Scholarship ($800); Kristina Garcia, Delta Kappa Gamma Recruitment Grant ($1,000); Michael Gonzales, TEACh Scholarship Fund ($1,000); Patricia Hernandez, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Ky-Cuong Huynh, Salik Omar Shah Scholarship ($1,000); Jordan Jennings, TEACh Scholarship Fund ($750); Bethany Jones, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Kayla Jones, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500) and the VCCF Scholarship Grants Fund ($1,000); Eduardo Juarez, VCCF Scholarship Grants Fund ($800); Huandari Lopez, Herbert A. Berlin Memorial Scholarship ($600); Diana Magana, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000); Gabriela Magana, Destino Scholarship Fund ($2,500), John and Agnes McFarlane Scholarship ($5,000) and the Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Jose Martinez, Armando and Lourdes Lopez Scholarship Fund($500); Juana Martinez, Sepulveda/Garcia Latino Town Hall Scholarship ($2,000); Maritza Martinez, Paul Lehmann Memorial Scholarship ($500); Cristian Medina, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000); Octavio Meza, Ventura County Agricultural Scholarship ($550); Jimmy Mondragon, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000); Monica Morales, John and Agnes McFarlane Scholarship ($5,000) Benito Moran, Paul Lehmann Memorial Scholarship ($500); Elizabeth Munoz, Paul Lehmann Memorial Scholarship ($500); Paulina Nunez, VCCF Scholarship Grants Fund ($800); Anaiancy Ramirez, Jerry E. Lorenz Scholarship ($500); Quetzalli Rocha, Bob Benedetto Memorial Scholarship Fund for Social Workers ($1,000) and the William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Ania Simpson, Paul Lehmann Memorial Scholarship ($500); Royal Siu, Herbert A. Berlin Memorial Scholarship ($600); Jaclyn Stout, TEACh Scholarship Fund($1,000); Myeisha Thompson, Ventura County Medical Education Fund (Forgivable Loan) ($3,500) and the Iris and Roger (Spike) Wilkins Scholarship Fund ($1,000); Taylor Thornton, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Troy Thornton, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Daniela Torres, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Nayeli Velasco, John and Agnes McFarlane Scholarship ($5,000) and the Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Mayra Villalobos, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000), John and Agnes McFarlane Scholarship ($5,000) and the Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Sandra Yam, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000); Lorena Landeros, Jean Weber Memorial Scholarship Fund ($1,000); Anahi Vargas, Gould Family Scholarship ($700)
Port Hueneme
Koichi Agapito, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000); Patricia Atanacio, John and Agnes McFarlane Scholarship ($5,000); Jennifer Martinez, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Honey Grace Narvante, Iris and Roger (Spike) Wilkins Scholarship Fund ($1,000); Arely Rosales, Iris and Roger (Spike) Wilkins Scholarship Fund ($1,000)
San Francisco
Breanna Cuellar, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500) and the TEACh Scholarship Fund ($1,500)
Santa Clara
Hannah Maryanski, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000)
Santa Paula
Evelyn Almaraz, Gould Family Scholarship ($700); Sugeiry Ambriz, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000); Jessica Cisneros, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000) and the Soroptimist of Santa Paula Scholarship Fund ($1,000); Norma Cisneros, Alfonso and Dora Romero Scholarship ($750); Jesus Godinez, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500) and the Iris and Roger (Spike) Wilkins Scholarship Fund ($1,000); Patricia Gomez, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000); Anika Huizar, Finck Family Charitable Fund Scholarship ($600) and the Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Veronica Lemus John and Agnes McFarlane Scholarship ($5,000); Yesenia Nunez, Sepulveda/Garcia Latino Town Hall Scholarship ($2,000); Selina Rico, John and Agnes McFarlane Scholarship ($5,000); Diana Xicotencatl, Iris and Roger (Spike) Wilkins Scholarship Fund ($1,000); Liliana Gutierrez, John and Agnes McFarlane Scholarship ($5,000); Emily Hidalgo, Joyce M. Kennedy, Ph.D. Scholarship ($1,250); Selena Ramirez, Saticoy Lemon Association Employee Scholarship ($800); Susan Rangel, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500)
Simi Valley
Jennifer Aguilar, Michael Gordon Burgos Memorial Scholarship Fund ($1,500); Manasa Ashok, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000), William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000) and the Jan Heyne Memorial Scholarship Fund ($5,000); Bailey Clark, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000); Christina Clauson, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500), Charles J. and Kay Schuler Scholarship ($1,000), Ventura County Medical Education Fund (Forgivable Loan) ($3,500) and the Iris and Roger (Spike) Wilkins Scholarship Fund ($1,000); Danielle Curry, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Neil Gandhi, SAME Engineer/Architect Scholarship ($600) and the Semtech Scholarship($5,000); Amy Lai, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000); Ashni Nadgauda William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); John Peachey, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000); Nathan Porter, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Natalie Titcomb, Iris and Roger (Spike) Wilkins Scholarship Fund ($1,000); Chanchin Yeh, TEACh Scholarship Fund ($1,500)
Somis
Ian Borchard, Calavo Scholarship ($1,000)
Thousand Oaks
Margaret Darago, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Hans Gao, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Jason Gardiner, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Adam Ginell, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000) and the SAGE Scholarship ($1,500); Brian Ginell, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Vasant Iyer, Gary W. Chism Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) and the William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Tony Jin, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Christopher Lam, Gary W. Chism Memorial Scholarship ($1,000); Kelly Lyons, TEACh Scholarship Fund ($1,000); Erika Moxley, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Christy Murphy, Michael Gordon Burgos Memorial Scholarship Fund ($1,500); Kristin Pieczynski, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Dillon Wexler, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000)
Trabuco Canyon
Mackenzie Griffin, Merfeld Family Foundation Scholarship ($2,500)
Ventura
Rocio Alvarado, Eleanor Tillquist Scholarship ($500) and the Ventura County Medical Education Fund (Forgivable Loan) ($3,500); Anthony Balolong-Reyes, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Kathryn Barkley, Association of Water Agencies of Ventura County Scholarship ($500); Jeffrey Baucom, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000); Chesna Biolley, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Michaela Blanchard, Berenice Barnard Music Specialist Scholarship ($1,000); Danielle Borrajo, ¡Adelante! Scholarship Fund ($4,000); Trevor Bourbeau, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Claire Burgi, Helen M. Yunker Music Scholarship ($2,000); Cole Citrenbaum, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Elizabeth Clews, TEACh Scholarship Fund ($1,000); Kyle Connelly, Parker and Virginia Howell Scholarship ($600); Colin Crilly, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Brittany Cullen, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Kate Danker, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Patricia Davis, TEACh Scholarship Fund ($750); Elias Duarte, TEACh Scholarship Fund ($1,000); Ashley-Lynn Fastenau, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Brian Gialketsis, Association of Water Agencies of Ventura County Scholarship ($500) and the William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Cody Ginsberg, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Anjelica Hinojosa, TEACh Scholarship Fund ($1,000); Pablo Juarez, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund, ($20,000); Hannah Kirkegaard, Bethany Anne Cody Scholarship ($1,000) and the Mike Larrabee Athletic Scholarship ($1,500); Elmer Leon-Garcia, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000); XiaoYing Liang, Stanley E. Cohen Memorial Education Fund ($750); Lucero Lopez, ¡Adelante! Scholarship ($4,000) and the William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Kathryn Lovett, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Michelle Madsen, SAGE Scholarship ($1,500); Dominique Martinez, TEACh Scholarship Fund ($1,000); Senaida Melendez, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500) and the TEACh Scholarship Fund ($1,000); Zachariah Mercado, James R. and Mary R. Galbraith Scholarship ($1,000); Matthew Michel, TEACh Scholarship Fund ($1,000); Raquel Montes, TEACh Opportunity Scholarship Fund ($4,500); Max Morales, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Valerie Morales, Ventura County Career/Technical Education Scholarship ($1,200); Dayle Morris, Milton McKevett Teague Scholarship ($2,000); Dillan Murray, VCCF Scholarship Grants Fund ($800); Emily Park, Gary W. Chism Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) and the William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Jennifer Paulsen, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500) and the TEACh Opportunity Scholarship Fund ($1,500); Kelli Pontis, Ventura County Medical Education Fund (Forgivable Loan) ($3,500); Yasmin Rivas, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Molly Roberts, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Joseph Santia, Bethany Anne Cody Scholarship ($1,000) and the William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Lacey Schroeder-Somlay, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500) and the TEACh Scholarship Fund ($750); Lilyana Sepulveda, Edna Wirt Woods and Ruth Nagel Scholarship Fund ($1,000); Haley Slade, Berenice Barnard Music Specialist Scholarship ($1,000), Berenice Barnard Music Education Scholarship ($700), William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000) and the Young Artists Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Paige Slaught, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Savannah Starr, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000), Katherine M. Wakelee Scholarship ($1,500) and the Kent Weigel Math Scholarship ($1,000); Jacob Stelman, SAME Engineer/Architect Scholarship ($600); Zujaja Tehreem, Iris and Roger (Spike) Wilkins Scholarship Fund ($1,000); Holly Tokar, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Katelynn Vargas, John and Agnes McFarlane Scholarship ($5,000) and the Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500); Marie-Helene Vaughan, SAGE Scholarship ($1,500); Alissa Vizzo, Roy A. Gustafson Memorial Scholarship ($4,000); Andrew Wakelee, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Annabelle Warren, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Mallory Woertink, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500)
Westlake Village
Gillian Miller, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000); Natasha Todd, Bob and Evie Florence Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) and the Vivian Klemz Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)
Yorba Linda
Brittany Arjon, TEACh Scholarship Fund ($500)
ABOUT VCCF
Celebrating its 25th year, VCCF invests the charitable capital that drives the philanthropic engines of Ventura County. The foundation's portfolio performance ranks in the top 11 of all community foundations in the United States for long-term growth. Its mission is to promote and enable philanthropy to improve our community for good for ever, which it does through grantmaking, scholarships and training at its Center for Nonprofit Leadership. It owns the VCCF Nonprofit Center in Camarillo - a place where nonprofits and the community can come to work together. Visit vccf.org or call (805) 988-0196.
