Contacts: Valerie Escobar, Executive Assistant, 238-1706, Judy Boring, Public Information Officer, 238-1709, Cynthia Fenech, Communications Director, 238-1704

This fall, 104 high school juniors and seniors from throughout the county participated in the American Heritage Scholarship Series essay contest, a competition sponsored by the Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE), The Modesto Bee, and Modesto City Schools.  Twenty-one students will be honored for their essays at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, November 12th at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room at SCOE, 1100 H Street, Modesto.  The public is invited to attend.

A total of $9,800 in scholarship awards will be presented:

One……………$2,000 scholarship

Two……………$1,500 scholarships

Two……………$1,000 scholarships

Three..…………$500 scholarships

Thirteen.…….....$100 scholarships

Teaching students and adults to think critically about issues affecting the United States and increasing their awareness of what it means to be an American are the goals of the American Heritage Scholarship Program. In a September 11^th presentation, William Broderick-Villa, attorney of Broderick Legal Group; Garth Stapley, Opinions Editor of The Modesto Bee, and David & Sharon Froba, retired attorney and high school teacher, respectively, presented impartial research and philosophies that touched both legal, historic, and contemporary perspectives of the issue: Does our community have an obligation to respond to historical redlining, as it relates to local housing injustices? An audience of community members and students attended the presentation to learn more about this topic.

The American Heritage Scholarship Program is possible thanks to the support of organizations and individuals whose contribution goes 100% toward the student scholarships. This year’s scholarship donors include: Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo Law Firm​, Bank of Stockton, Tom & Dianne Changnon, Jeff & Sandi Dirkse, James Enochs, Curtis & Nancy Grant, Curtis Legal Group, John & Cheryl Goulart, Mike & Judy Herrero, Ronald W. Hillberg, Attorney-at-Law, Kathy Hobby, Ben & Diane Kuykendall, Scott & Alison Kuykendall, Law Offices of Frank Lima, Jason & Catherine Maggard, Modesto Irrigation District, Modesto Lions 500 Club, North Modesto Kiwanis Club, Martin Petersen, Mocse Credit Union, Modesto Irrigation District, Modesto Teachers Association, Chet & Catherine Quittmeyer, E & J Gallo Winery, Fred & Susan Rich, Col. & Mrs. John Rogers, ASAF (RET.) James & Peggy Shiovitz, Bob & Suzanne A. Starling, Kiwanis Club of Greater Turlock, Waterford Lions Club, and Lynn & Sue Zwahlen.

A group of local educators, editors, community leaders, and Superior Court Judges judged the essays. Scholarship winners are invited to the November 12^th event and the amount per scholarship or award will be announced at that time.

Those slated to be honored for scholarships Tuesday, in alphabetical order, include: