2025 SCHOLARSHIPS
Celebrating a Record Year of Scholarships!
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors and the Foundation’s deep roots in the Santa Ynez Valley, a record-breaking $85,000 in scholarships is helping 50 local students take the next step toward their college dreams.
The 2025 awards celebrate 30 graduating high school seniors — including 27 from Santa Ynez Valley Union High School and 3 from Dunn School — honored for their academic excellence, personal growth, community involvement, and bold aspirations.
We’re also proud to continue our support for 20 college sophomores, renewing scholarships that began when they were high school seniors. It’s all part of our commitment to helping local students thrive — not just at the start, but every step of the way.
Congratulations high school class of 2025!
2025 Santa Ynez Valley Union High School scholarship honorees with SYV Foundation representatives.
David & Jan Crosby Scholarship
Celebrating creativity and artistic expression.
Naomi Ferguson and Alison Willis were chosen for embodying those values through their passion and commitment to the arts.Walter Hanson Scholarship
Walter Hanson Scholarship
Kimberly Medina and Chloe Ann Perez
Named in honor of Walt Hanson, editor and publisher of the local newspaper from 1929 to 1945, the scholarship recognizes students dedicated to careers rooted in service to others.
Youth Community Champion Awards
Lizbeth Ortiz Aguilera, Rafael Beleski, Emma Tisdahl
Honored at the Champions of the Valley celebration in October 2024 for their volunteer service in the community and each awarded a $1,000 scholarship.
Graduating High School Seniors
Santa Ynez Valley Union High School
Jesse Arango • Jadon Bailey • Samantha Barboza • Eric Brians • Jazmin Briceno • Addison Bunke • Nataly Davalos • Jackson Elliott • Saira Fernandez • Aaron Figueroa • Adrian Garcia • Addison Godfrey • Sadie Godfrey • Kea Gonzalez-Lishman • Mykah Hardy Moniot, • Kaitlyn Hicks • Ryder McClurg • Presley Miller • Malia Ortiz • Natalie O'Shaughnessy • Yasmin Ozkan • Meara Samaan • Sofia Goretti Tinajero Suarez.
Dunn School
Adin Kokorowski • Griffin Markee • Tanner Rhodes
Second Year College Scholarships
Twenty second-year college students were awarded scholarships. Each received Foundation scholarships last year as high school seniors and are continuing their education with distinction.
Marcelo Andrade • Gabriel Beleski • Rafael Beleski • Darien Gelles • Tessa Haws • Charley Hrehor • Santana Huizar • Lizbeth Jimenez • Kayla Morrell • Lizbeth Ortiz Aguilera • Stephanie Pedersen • Samara Perez • Mackenzie Peters • Felice Pulido • Julia Rhodes • Kira Scheck • Abby Snow • Anna Solem • Ryleigh Thomas • Lily Tullis