GILROY
– Last night Gavilan College awarded scholarships, including six
new scholarships of $500, to more than 100 students for their
scholastic achievements, community involvement and leadership,
bringing the total awarded to $60,000.
GILROY – Last night Gavilan College awarded scholarships, including six new scholarships of $500, to more than 100 students for their scholastic achievements, community involvement and leadership, bringing the total awarded to $60,000.
On Thursday, families and award recipients anxiously waited to receive their scholarships at the Gavilan College Student Center.
“Scholarships are so critical to the students, they can go toward textbooks and tuition. Our hope is that the scholarships will give the students the extra boost they need to excel in school,” said Dr. Steven Kinsella, president of Gavilan College.
James Gregory Herrera, of Morgan Hill, was the big winner Thursday night. He earned the Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity Program, University of Santa Cruz Award for $20,000.
“Both his commitment to academics, and leadership with the Gavilan basketball team is what made him stand out and is the reason he was chosen,” said presenter Dr. John Baker, vice president of student Services for Gavilan College.
“It feels so great being awarded this scholarship, and it will help me so much with tuition,” said Herrera.
Audren Morris, scholarship chair and director of financial aid at Gavilan College, says this year’s applicants were all really competitive and she wishes there were more to be awarded.
This did not stop Vanessa Apodaca, of Gilroy from earning four of the scholarships totaling more than $750.
“This will go towards my first month’s tuition at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the fall,” Apodaca said.
All of the scholarships awarded Thursday evening come from 52 organizations and memorial foundations in Santa Clara County such as the Gilroy Rotary Club, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Garlic Festival committee.
Memorial scholarships such as The Isobel Milton Cerney Memorial scholarship are awarded to a student who works for peace and justice, while the Bonnie Mezerkor Memorial Scholarship is given to a student interested in fine arts.
“These scholarships are only possible because donors are here to help students succeed on their educational paths,” Kinsella said.
Due to the current economy, Morris said there was a slight increase in students applying for scholarships this year, but a significant increase in students applying for financial aid.
The donors make their decision based on applications they receive from Gavilan College. Morris said if a student is interested in receiving a scholarship all they have to do is fill out one application, and the Gavilan scholarship committee will forward that application to every scholarship whose criteria the student fits.
“We know students need the money, and sometimes they have too much to do, and they don’t want to fill out numerous scholarship applications. With the one application, we hope this will allow a wider variety of students the opportunity to receive the scholarships,” Morris said.
Other big winners were 22-year-old Marisela Landeras, of Gilroy, who received three scholarships, totaling more than $1,100 and Rosie Avila who is majoring in social work and received more than $1,400.
Jesse Sandow, who earned three scholarships, closed the awards ceremony on behalf of his fellow scholarship recipients and ended with saying,” We are so grateful for what you have done for us, and we want to express our gratitude. Donors, you can rest assured that in our pursuit of higher education your gifts will bring us closer to our dreams.”
