Celebrating 2026 Scholarship Awardees
This year, the Community Foundation awarded a record $443,800 in scholarships to 54 students across the county, thanks to our donors’ generosity. Over the course of four decades, the Foundation has awarded more than $3 million in scholarships to over 600 students.
Jaime Lopez never thought the odds were in his favor. The 28-
year-old didn’t like to leave things to chance. But now, he feels like
his luck has changed. Jaime was a 2025 recipient of the Richard and
Theresa Crocker Scholarship at the Community Foundation Santa Cruz
County and is set to get the second installment of his two-year award
this spring.
“This scholarship truly feels like winning the lottery. It has given my family hope and changed our lives in ways we will never forget,” Jaime says.
The Santa Cruz native was balancing school and being a father to a seven-year-old in a single income household. With the financial weight now eased off his shoulders, he is set to graduate with an associate’s degree in Construction and Energy Management from Cabrillo College in January of 2027.
Jaime will be the first in his family to graduate from college and he wishes to give back to his community one day.
“Thank you for believing in students like me and for making a real difference in our futures,” Jaime says.
The Crocker Scholarship prioritizes helping students who are pursuing careers in a skilled trade. In a region where economic mobility can be elusive, more donors are seeking to help local families stay local and build a future for themselves.
Supporting Different Dreams
Scholarships are critical to keeping college in reach for first-generation students whose families may be unable to provide financial support. Awards ranged from $2,500 to $20,000. The total surpassed the Foundation’s previous record set in 2025. Of the total, 84% were awarded to first-generation college students, nearly all of them from communities underrepresented on college campuses.
The majority were four-year awards, adding a sense of stability for students who can focus on their studies without worrying about tuition.
“We know students who drop out of college often do so after the first
year. And we know students from families with fewer financial resources
are the most vulnerable to gaps in enrollment. Four-year scholarships
are rare, and we’re proud that over two-thirds of this year’s awards
will benefit students throughout their college experience. That means
less financial stress, avoiding excessive work hours, and a greater
likelihood they’ll graduate with a degree. That’s not just a huge win
for them and their family, it strengthens our workforce, and helps boost
household incomes across generations,” says Kevin Heuer, Director of
Community Engagement & Impact.
This scholarship provides me with peace of mind and motivation to work even harder, remain committed to my goals, and take full advantage of every opportunity that comes my way. I hope to one day give back to others in the same way that you have given to me. Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and belief in me.
- Vanesa Avina Sanchez, recipient of the Burton Endowed Scholarship
The 2026 awardees represent hope and determination, and a desire to give back to Santa Cruz County.
CEO Susan True says, “Dreams look different for different people. Not everyone wants to pursue a traditional academic degree. Our donors understand that our community needs skilled tradespeople and medical professionals and have started scholarship funds to support a broad spectrum of career aspirations. We’re thankful that generous community members have entrusted us to help them have their philanthropy match their values.”
Building Our Community’s Future
These students’ educational and career paths are inspired by personal and family experiences growing up in Santa Cruz County. Like many other families of the region, for them, economic mobility and having access to quality essential services are front of mind.
Some are set on helping their families be more financially
independent, while others want to address systemic challenges they’ve
seen their parents face when accessing services like healthcare.
“This year’s awardees are pursuing business degrees while others are looking at roles in healthcare or teaching. They are already showing their desire to give back at a young age and will undoubtedly make an impact on our community for years to come.” Kevin says
Israel Camacho Santos, 2026 recipient of the Isabel Fowler Sewell Scholarship, says, “This award made my dream of attending college a reality. The scholarship has brought peace of mind knowing that I have financial assistance toward my college expenses and will not be carrying the full financial burden of attending UC San Diego on my own.”
For donors, the ability to make a positive impact for local students in a direct and flexible way is a gift in its own right. The Santa Cruz County Scholarship Endowment is a permanent resource that bolsters that support.
Anyone can give to the fund, which helps with the higher education costs facing local students. Gifts of all amounts, large or small, can be given to the Scholarship Endowment in your own name or the name of a loved one, teacher, or someone else who inspires you to give back. a scholarship fund that exists to benefit students of our region forever. The fund is powered by collective giving from people across the region dedicated to making higher education more accessible for all.
Angela Surkis is a donor to the Santa Cruz County Scholarship Endowment. She says, "If my contribution can make higher education possible for just one student, I will be happy. I would like to think of myself as a ‘Bonus’ grandparent for someone. My own grandchildren have had good luck in their lives and can enjoy college without financial stress. Why not pay it forward?"
Meet the 54 local students who received scholarships through Community Foundation Santa Cruz County in 2026
BARBARA J. THOMPSON SCHOLARSHIP
Leslie Ruiz Vega, Soquel High School (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo)
Lia Gularte, Santa Cruz High School (University of Oregon)
Nayeli Serna Nunez, Soquel High School (Cabrillo College)
Sarah Cobos, Soquel High School (UC Santa Barbara)
BERT AND CAROLYN POST SCHOLARSHIP
Isabella Tiscareno, Aptos High School (Cabrillo College)
Valeria Marquez, Watsonville High School (CSU Monterey Bay)
BURTON SCHOLARSHIP
Ana Torres, Watsonville High School (UC Berkeley)
Kenya Ramirez-Yepez, Watsonville High School (UC Davis)
Lluvia Zavala, Watsonville High School (UC Davis)
Martin Ortega, Soquel High School (San Jose State)
Ulises Barroso-Torres, Santa Cruz High School (San Jose State)
Vanesa Avina Sanchez, Watsonville High School (CSU Monterey Bay)
EMMETT AND ELSIE GEISER SCHOLARSHIP
Eva Martinez Rodriguez, Aptos High School (University of Southern California)
Fatima Gonzalez-Solis, Watsonville High School (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo)
Scarlet Gomez, Pajaro Valley High School (Cabrillo College)
ERNEST V. COWELL SCHOLARSHIP
Mia-Isabella Ramirez, Santa Cruz High School (UC Santa Cruz)
HANK GARCIA JR. AND FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP
Alysa Oliver, Aptos High School (Chapman University)
Camila Suarez, St. Francis High School (UC San Diego)
Carmenlinda Ortiz, Watsonville High School (Cabrillo College)
Leelah Sanchez, Monte Vista Christian School (San Jose State)
Ricardo Martinez, Pajaro Valley High School (Cabrillo College)
ISABEL FOWLER SEWELL SCHOLARSHIP
Angel Jimenez-Rincon, Pajaro Valley High School (CSU Monterey Bay)
Erik Michi-Rojas, Pajaro Valley High School (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo)
Israel Camacho-Santos, Pajaro Valley High School (UC San Diego)
Jocelyn Aguilera, Pajaro Valley High School (UC San Diego)
Lourdes Lopez-Diaz, Watsonville High School (Cabrillo College)
Zuleyma Meza Castaneda, Aptos High School (Southeastern University)
JOHN L. TURNER SCHOLARSHIP
Vicente Guillen Martinez, Watsonville High School (CSU Monterey Bay)
JUDY ANTON WOMAN OF VALOR / LUPITA LOVES TO READ PROJECT SCHOLARSHIP
Arizbeth Castillo, Watsonville High School (Cabrillo College)
LAURA SEGURA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Briana Fernandez, Hartman School - COE (Cabrillo College)
Gloria Armenta, Career Advancement Charter - COE (Cabrillo College)
LIVE LIKE LEO SCHOLARSHIP
Karen Sánchez, Harbor High School (UC Davis)
Liana Alexander, Delta High School (Cabrillo College)
LOUIS J. AND MARY ELLEN SCHULTZ SCHOLARSHIP
Laura Garcia Cervantes, Pajaro Valley High School (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo)
R.H. BEEL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Erick Soto-Martinez, Santa Cruz High School (CSU Long Beach)
RICHARD AND THERESA CROCKER SCHOLARSHIP
Alvin Vargas, Watsonville High School (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo)
Genesis Basurto Mendez, Watsonville High School (Cabrillo College)
Joahann Solorio López, Watsonville High School (Universal Technical Institute)
Lizbeth Gonzalez Barrera, Harbor High School (Cabrillo College)
Syrus Garcia, Seabright High School (International Training Institute)
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIP
Destiny Contreras-Tapia, Watsonville High School (San Francisco State)
Sofia Diaz-Hernandez, Harbor High School (Cabrillo College)
Ximena Pimentel Sanchez, Watsonville High School (CSU Monterey Bay)
SIMUNOVICH FAMILY AGRICULTURE SCHOLARSHIP
Crystal Martinez, Watsonville High School (CSU Monterey Bay)
ENVIRONMENTAL SCHOLARSHIP
Dominic Ypil (San Jose State)
Eleanor Sangree (UC Santa Cruz)
Jordan Pilcher (CSU Monterey Bay)
Keeler Nelsen (UC Santa Cruz)
Maya Elson (San Jose State)
Melissa Rosales (San Jose State)
MJ Johns (UC Santa Cruz)
Siyu Luo (UC Santa Cruz)
Tyler Gianni (CSU Monterey Bay)
Yasmine Pandjaitan (UC Santa Cruz)
