A record number of scholarships were awarded to local students at the Ventura County Community Foundation Scholarship Awards Reception at the Ventura County Office of Education on June 4.

Nearly 380 awards, totaling more than $1.35 million, will be handed out at the event. A total of 490 scholarships will be given to 383 individuals.

Despite the downturn in the economy this year, the Community Foundation will award at least $290,000 more than it did in 2008.

“At this time of economic distress for so many families, these scholarships may well decide whether students continue their education and keep their dreams alive,” said Pierre Y. Tada, chair of the VCCF board.
This year, donors and contributors extended VCCF’s awards by $135,500 in new scholarships including awards for young artists, students who are the first in their families to attend college, children of agricultural workers as well as students majoring in agriculture, women resuming her education after being in the workforce, future science teachers and students studying medicine.

Here are the Fillmore/Piru scholarship winners:

Fillmore
Gabriele Alviz, William A. & Cynthia D. Fairburn Memorial, $2,200; Angelica Amezcua, James C. Basile Scholarship, $20,000; Destino Scholarship Fund, $2,500; Elizabeth Amezcua, James C. Basile Scholarship, $20,000; Mayra Amezcua, Orfalea Migrant Education Scholarship, $2,310; Alani Barajas, William A. & Cynthia D. Fairburn Memorial, $2,200; Alicia Figueroa, Orfalea Migrant Education Scholarship, $2,310; Luz Figueroa, Orfalea Migrant Education Scholarship, $2,310; Alexandra Garcia, Destino Scholarship Fund, $2,500; Natalie Garnica, William A. & Cynthia D. Fairburn Memorial, $2,200; Ashley Grande, Orfalea Scholarship Fund, $2,500; Rebeca Herrera, VCCF Scholarship Grants Fund, $600; Danny Klittich, Milton McKevett Teague Scholarship Fund, $2,500; Susie I. Lopez, TEACH Fund, $750; Maricarmen Magana, Orfalea Migrant Scholarship Fund, $2,310; Laura Orozco, Orfalea Health Field Scholarship, $2,500; Orfalea Scholarship Fund, $2,500; Carlos Tarango, James C. Basile Scholarship, $20,000; Antoinette Tarango, Orfalea Forgivable Loan for Nurses, $1,524; Ventura County Medical Education Fund, $4,000; Iris & Roger (Spike) Wilkins Scholarship, $1,100; Juan Carlos Toledo, William A. & Cynthia D. Fairburn Memorial Scholarship, $2,200; Jillian Wilber, James C. Basile Scholarship, $20,000.

Piru
Taylor Atkins, Finch Family Scholarship, $3,400; Orfalea Scholarship Fund, $2,500; Jonathan Escamilla, Orfalea Scholarship Fund, $2,500.