Press Releases 2007

CONTACT:  Mary Planding, Director, Marketing & Communications
(831) 479-6158
mary.planding [at] cabrillo.edu

May 14, 2007

LIVES CHANGED BY CABRILLO COLLEGE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHPS
OVER $300,000 TO BE AWARDED
4:00 PM FRIDAY MAY 18 AT SESNON HOUSE, APTOS CAMPUS

APTOS, CA—On Friday May 18, the Cabrillo College Foundation will award over $300,000 in scholarships to students. This is the largest cumulative award amount in the history of the college.  The ceremony begins at 4 p.m., Friday, May 18, at Cabrillo College’s historic mansion, the Sesnon House, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos.

Over 600 scholarships will be awarded, each honoring an individual, family, club, business, or organization. Each scholarship has a story behind it but the common thread is a belief in the value of education.

Tiffiny deJesus, a scholarship recipient, came to Cabrillo as a re-entry student. Until age 30, she had only an eighth grade education. The birth of her first son was the impetus for her to get her GED while the birth of her second son spurred her to come to Cabrillo where she has earned a 4.0 GPA and is enrolled in the nursing program.  Upon graduation, deJesus plans to attend San Jose State University for her B.A.

“Cabrillo College has opened up a whole new world for me. The best part is I get to be a role model for my children as they watch their mom work hard and excel in school, and they, in turn, have both worked hard to excel in their schools. And we all do our homework together,” she declares. deJesus will share her story at the Scholarship Awards Ceremony.

Another student is Yolanda Inchauregui. Yolanda arrived in Santa Cruz from Mexico in seventh grade. She couldn’t speak a word of English, but was committed to education and a better way of life. She is Cabrillo College’s Student Senate President, an Iraq War Veteran and a scholarship recipient transferring to San Diego State University in the fall.

Inchauregeui says, “The thought of leaving Cabrillo is scary as it has become my family, my home. But all the support Cabrillo has given me and all the support the donors have provided through scholarships gives me the confidence to move on. My family and I are thankful to the Cabrillo community of students, faculty, staff and donors for helping me get where I am today. And hopefully one day I can change someone’s life as a scholarship donor.”

Cabrillo College President Brian King and Foundation President Kurt Kniffin will present the award certificates.

Cabrillo College has the fourth largest scholarship program in California versus other community colleges and the Cabrillo College Foundation has the third largest community college endowment fund in the United States. If you would like more information about establishing a scholarship, please contact Melinda Silverstein, Executive Director, Cabrillo College Foundation, 831-479-6338.

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