Scholarship recipients Sam Johnson, left, Alessandra Garza, Yael Martinez, Carleigh Ornelas, Jacqueline Hernandez, Ryker Dacus. (Courtesy photo)
Since 2013, the nonprofit Assistance League of Santa Barbara has given 40 scholarships to Santa Barbara County students representing more than $115,000.
Students apply through the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, which selects qualified students based on academic grades and outstanding community service.
Each year the scholarship committee honors current recipients with a reception that provides an opportunity for the organization’s members to meet the students and their parents.
This year’s reception recognized 10 recipients. Eight have received scholarships in past years and already are attending college, and two new awardees are graduating from local high schools.
New scholarships go to Yael Martinez from Carpinteria High School, who will be attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and Alessandra Garza from Santa Barbara High School, who will be attending UC Berkeley.
Those receiving renewed scholarships are: Madison Cleek at Westmont, Ryker Dacus at UCLA, Perla Gill at UCSB, Dane Pederson at Loyola Marymount, Sam Johnson at UC Berkeley, Cheyenee Marmolejo at Cal State Fresno, Jacqueline Hernandez at Cal State Channel Islands, and Carleigh Ornelas at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Assistance League of Santa Barbara is an all-volunteer organization that develops and implements programs to benefit Santa Barbara County residents.
Funding for the organization’s 17 philanthropic programs which include the scholarships, comes from operation of the Assistance League Thrift Shop, 1259 Veronica Springs Road.
— Jane Atwater for Assistance League of Santa Barbara.
