Foundational Support

The sun finally shone after days of May Grey on the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, which hosted its annual dinner for 200 guests at the historical museum.

More than $7.1 million was given to 1,780 students in Santa Barbara County, with 1,700 turned down because of limited funds.

The foundation has now awarded more than $150 million to some 62,000 students since its founding in 1962, making it the biggest provider of college scholarships in the U.S., starting humbly six decades ago with the awarding of nine $100 book certificates.

Danna McGrew, board chair, welcomed guests with Melinda Cabrera, president and CEO, introducing three students who had benefited.

The tony triumvirate were Boston Thomas of Alta Vista Alternative high school, who is studying at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks; Teresa Luna Rojas, a Santa Maria high student studying to be a speech language pathologist, and Isaac Calderon, 19, a Bishop Diego student, now studying at UC Law San Francisco.

Among the supporters were Janet Garufis, George Leis, Vicki Hazard, Roger and Sarah Chrisman, John and Patty MacFarlane, Teresa McWilliams, Nancy Ransohoff, Ed Birch, Rachel Kaganoff, Peter and Gerd Jordano, and Brian and Joanne Rapp.