A global foundation benefiting young people and communities through educational scholarships



Previous Scholarship Awards

2020 Scholarship Recipients

Natalie D.
Natalie is enrolled at Sonoma State where she is planning on receiving a degree in Communications and media. Natalie completed 357 hours of community service during her years at Portola High School. She has been a volunteer at Plumas Eureka State Park. She participated in seven different clubs at school. She studied in Spain for a year her sophomore year. She has taken college courses at Chico State and received A’s all the while she was in high school. She is an accomplished in the clarinet. She has performed at weeding receptions.

Michael G.
Michael is enrolled at the University of Montana. He is planning on pursuing a career in forestry or guiding. Michael played on the golf team for three years, one year of basketball and the soccer team and two years of ASB Leadership. For two years, he assisted in preserving a wood duck habitat and in fire prevention activities. He also worked in fish stream restoration and the electro shock fish program at Lake Davis. He held jobs at Cuccias restaurant and Graeagle Outpost. He dedicated 40 hours to community service. He characterizes himself as hardworker with a great work ethic, attitude and leadership abilities.

Tristan H.
Tristan is planning on a career in business/finance and Masters in Economics. He has been accepted into Feather River College to begin his college career. After two years he plans to transfer to finish his college career. He has been the primary care person for his father who suffers from blindness. He has been a Honor Roll student throughout his high school years. He has rendered 130 hours of community service. Her has worked with Plumas Audubon Society, Plumas Firewise Council, volunteer at Nifty Thrifty the hospital foundation support ngo,and at Gumbas pizza restaurant. His references cited Tristan’s hardworking, motivated and insightful behavior. His self discipline and motivation are his defining characteristics.

Emily S.
Emily is seeking a career in law enforcement or as a lawyer. She will begin her college career at Feather River College. She plans on getting a law degree after her two years at Community College. She is interested in becoming a environmental lawyer. She will play basketball at Feather River College. During her years in high school she distinguished herself by “ excellence in academics, community service and extracurricular activities. She rendered over 400 hours of community service. She received numerous academic awards and recognition for her skills in volleyball. She worked 20 hours at week at local restaurant, Gumbas. She has demonstrated leadership skills throughout her high school years.

2018 Scholarships

The primary Foundation activities each year are centered on raising funds for scholarships and to provide the community with a Symposium on critical issues of the day in Plumas County.

In 2018, funds raised at the silent auction and contributions made totaled $12,800. The Directors of the Foundation interviewed students at Portola High School who applied for scholarships. The Foundation awarded scholarships in the amount of $3,000 each to the three graduating seniors from Portola High School.

Isabella F.
Isabella Folchi undecided between SF State, UC Irvine or Chico State. Isabella as worked over 100 hours of community service, plus she works 40 hours a week.

Hayley R.
Hayley is going to UC Davis pursuing a career in math and or physics. She is class valedictorian and has performed over 500 hours of public service.

Eric J.
Eric plans on becoming a wildlife biologist will attend Feather River College before transferring to UNR or Utah State

2017 Scholarships

The primary Foundation activities each year are centered on raising funds for scholarships and to provide the community with a Symposium on critical issues of the day in Plumas County.

In 2017, funds raised at the silent auction and contributions made totaled $21,000. The Directors of the Foundation interviewed students at Portola High School who applied for scholarships. The Foundation awarded scholarships in the amount of $3,000 each to the five graduating seniors from Portola High School.

Anna M.
Anna has been accepted to University of Colorado to study physics. She wrote by studying physics “‘I can question the obvious, access the unknown and understand life in the broadest and most specific terms”. “My quintessential goal is to give back. The advancement of science in a community can mean anything from increasing interactive technology in a classroom to providing clean water in another country in some way. The money I receive from the scholarship will be given back to the community in some fashion.”

Erin S.
Erin's concern for sustainability and the protection of natural resources, motivated her to implement an aeroponics system to grow produce for use in the Portola High School cafeteria and culinary arts classes. The project was so successful that she retained several grants and donations to purchase a second aeroponics tower for the cafeteria. She is attending CalPoly in the fall and intends to major in agricultural and environmental plant sciences. She plans and to continue on to graduate school to study business. Her goal is to start a nonprofic organization to grow healthy and sustainable produce for those in need.

Heather M.
Heather is attending Grand Canyon University in Arizona where she plans to major in biology. Her goal is to become a trauma surgeon. During high school she gave 600 hours of community service. She had been class President and Capitan of the volleyball and basketball teams. One reference said of Heather, her greatest attribute is leadership skills. She leads by example. She always gives more than 100 percent.”

Chelsea R.
Chelsea has been accepted at three universities to study wildlife rehabilitation or ornithology. Chelsea’s love for birds led her to become a falconer. She dreams of having a Raptor Rehabilitation Center for Plumas County. Chelsea started a Friday night program that allows youth to plan and participate in activities that benefit the community and themselves. She focused on educating youth on the dangers of alcohol and drugs.

Grace S.
Grace is focused on science and engineering. She has decided to begin college in Cuesta Community College prior to transferring to a four year university. She is the first person in her family to attend college. Since her freshman year she has been very involved with the Wounded Warrior benefit called Top Cop. She said” through this experience she gained understanding, empathy, compassion and humanity.

Mallory W.
Mallory will begin her education journey at Feather River College. Her goal is to become an environmental lawyer. One reference said of Mallory “ she is bright very engaged young person who will look for challenges and exceed expectations. Mallory loves English literature and writing. She greatly admires her grandmother who is environmental lawyer.

2016 Scholarships

In 2016, funds raised at the silent auction and contributions made totaled $20,000. The Directors of the Foundation interviewed students at Portola High School who applied for scholarships. The Foundation awarded scholarships in the amount of $3,000 each to two graduating seniors from Portola High School.

Additionally, the Foundation has added Continuation Scholarships this year. Victoria, Mariah, and Dayna, each were awarded $2000 to help them continue their education as they work toward their degrees with excellent progress.

Heather H.
Heather has already developed skills as a musician and artist. Through her music studies she has become especially impressed with the many great composers of classical music whose musical influence has been so pervasive and important in many societies around the world. To develop her music and art competencies further, she will attend the University of Southern Oregon. There she plans a double major in art and music. Heather sees her love of music and art as means of expressing her admiration of nature and concern for sustainability. She sees herself being influential in promoting environmental awareness and responsibility.

Erin S.
Erin's concern for sustainability and the protection of natural resources, motivated her to implement an aeroponics system to grow produce for use in the Portola High School cafeteria and culinary arts classes. The project was so successful that she retained several grants and donations to purchase a second aeroponics tower for the cafeteria. She is attending CalPoly in the fall and intends to major in agricultural and environmental plant sciences. She plans and to continue on to graduate school to study business. Her goal is to start a nonprofic organization to grow healthy and sustainable produce for those in need.

2016 Continuation Scholarships

Victoria B.
I am still going to Sac. State, and after this upcoming fall semester I'll already have 60 units completed and will be a junior! I did however change my major to business due to the fact that after my senior project shadowing a sonographer I realized that the hospital environment was not for me. But now that I'm a business major under the concentration of accountancy, I love all of my classes and have been enjoying them so much. I did end my first year with a 3.6 GPA but I am still striving to get that GPA higher. I am still working very hard to graduate early and am still on track for that goal!

Dayna C.
Finishing my second year of college, I remained in good academic standing and was placed on the dean’s list for another school year, and graduated with an associate’s degree this May of 2016. Since then I’ve applied to the University of Nevada, Reno and was accepted. I have enrolled in classes for the fall of 2016. I plan on getting my bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science.

I can’t thank you enough for what you and your wife did for me. With the help of what little money I saved up, and some of your scholarship, I was able to buy my first car. It’s nothing fancy by any means, but it meant transportation. Also, you helped me buy my first two semesters of college textbooks.

I hope you know it’s not just about what you did for me financially, because it’s much deeper than that. It fills me up knowing that I had two people in my life that rooted me on when I was on the brink of the biggest transition of my life and helped see me through my first year of college.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Mariah M.
Mariah plans on becoming a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. Her references cited her kindness, consideration and maturing. She is seen as a young woman who “perceive the world as a place she can contribute to.” Mariah has gone out her way to be of assistance to special needs children in the school. Mariah has also contributed over several hundred hours in community service.

Hebert N.
Hebert was a scholarship recipient during our Chile scholarship fundraising efforts. Hebert continues his studies with persistence, and we are happy to award him with a Continuation Scholarship this year.

2015 Scholarships

The primary Foundation activities each year are centered on raising funds for scholarships and to provide the community with a Symposium on critical issues of the day in Plumas County.

In 2015, funds raised at the silent auction and contributions made totaled $12,000. The Directors of the Foundation interviewed students at Portola High School who applied for scholarships. The Foundation awarded scholarships in the amount of $3,000 each to four graduating seniors from Portola High School.

Victoria B.
Victoria is one of four children. She is the only girl and the youngest in her family. One brother is currently attending college. Her grandfather came to Portola from Jalisco, Mexico, and founded a business cutting lumber, which the family continues to maintain. She would like to attend Sacramento State University and get a degree in health science, with a two year program in sonography.

Victoria has a strong ethical sense, respect for her family and personal discipline. She participates in sports, has a GPA of 3.98, and has been an after school tutor for younger students. She would like a scholarship to help put herself through college as her brothers have done and financial assistance would be a great benefit.

Abigail F.
Abigail is headed to Gonzaga University where she will be in a pre-med chemistry major program with the goal of becoming a physician who is also trained in Naturopathy and acupuncture. She had some health issues and found that simply being prescribed medication did not address her spiritual and emotional needs. Her family’s business involves snow removal and tree clean-up and she reports her mother is a homemaker and loving mother. There are three children in the family and she will be the only one attending college.

Besides maintaining a 4.0 grade average, she has been active in sports, camp counseling and homecoming activities. She is very hardworking and focused on her goals.

Alejandro P.
Alejandro is one of two children in his family and the first to attend college. He is enrolled at Santa Rosa Junior College where he will take online courses while living in New York City and working for a family friend in Global T Net. He will major in health and wellness with the goal of returning to Portola and teaching health and fitness. He would like to be involved in outdoor training of guides for fishing and hiking in the Sierras.

He has been active in sports and as a camp counselor, where he comes very highly recommended. His family is very supportive of his education and he likes to help and inspire others.

Rachel W.
Rachel has a sister at Cal Poly and she would like to attend the same school to major in agricultural and plant science. She is very enterprising and has done a year abroad in Italy, is doing a naturalist certification program locally and will be in a Wilderness School in Wyoming this summer. She and her dad built and maintain a greenhouse for vegetables at home. She has a horse and has been active in 4-H in animal husbandry. She has a 4.0 G.P.A. and is active in sports.

2014 Scholarships

The primary Foundation activities during 2013-2014, centered on sponsoring an event during Memorial Day weekend to raise funds for scholarships and provide the community with a Symposium on critical issues of the day in Plumas County.

Funds raised at the silent auction and contributions made totaled $12,000. The Directors of the Foundation interviewed 10 students at Portola High School who applied for scholarships. The Board decided to award three scholarships of $4,000 each to the following young women, who are pictured above from left to right.

Sarah C.
Sarah is planning on obtaining a degree in special education and returning to Portola to work in the schools. She has given 274 hours of community service during her years in high school. She has maintained a GPA of 4.0 in her senior year. Her references cite her ability to work alone and her trustworthiness.

Mariah M.
Mariah plans on becoming a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. Her references cited her kindness, consideration and maturing. She is seen as a young woman who “perceive the world as a place she can contribute to”. Mariah has gone out her way to be of assistance to special needs children in the school. Mariah has also contributed over several hundred hours in community service.

Dayna C.
Dayna is planning to attend a community college for two years to prepare for her major which will either be in agriculture sciences or occupational therapy. She grew up on a ranch in Sierra Valley. She is recognized for her outstanding leadership skills and unique abilities to work with others. Since the 9th grade, she has volunteered her time to many local organizations. She was Senior Class Vice President.


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