Gavilan College awarded scholarships to more than 100 students
Thursday, including six new scholarships of $500, bringing the
total awarded to $60,000.
GILROY – Gavilan College awarded scholarships to more than 100 students Thursday, including six new scholarships of $500, bringing the total awarded to $60,000.
“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, earning the Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity Program, University of California, 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, the college’s vice president of student services.
The scholarships came 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.
Audren Morris, Gavilan director of financial aid and the scholarship chair, said there was a slight increase in students applying for scholarships this year because of the slumping economy, and also a significant increase in students applying for financial aid.
The donors make their decisions based on applications received from Gavilan College. Morris said students interested in receiving a scholarship need only fill out one application, and the college’s scholarship committee will forward it to every donor whose criteria the student fits.
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.
