English Instructor Karren Warren, Karl Pister Scholarship winner Celina Rose Gutierrez, and Gavilan College President Dr. Steven M. Kinsella
Community provides $ 112,000 in scholarships to Gavilan College students
On May 8, 2015, The Gavilan College Education Foundation and Gavilan College Office of Financial Aid awarded $ 112,000 in scholarships to Gavilan College students. Thanks to the generosity of donors in the community, 105 awards were given. Some awards were designated for specific fields of study, while others were more general.
The largest award, presented annually, is the Karl S. Pister Leadership Award of $ 20,000 over two years for a student who will be transferring to U. C. Santa Cruz in the fall.
The 2015 winner of the award, English major Celina Rose Gutierrez is a re-entry student and parent, who has served the Gavilan College community as an assistant in the Writing Center. In the greater community, she has volunteered with El Teatro Campesino and the nonprofit organization Andariegas. Her English instructor, Karen Warren, described her as as“ one of those students who is committed to using her knowledge and skills to make a difference, not only in her own life but also to change the community she cares so deeply about” and added that Celina is“ one of the most intelligent, determined,
hard-working and positive students I have worked with.”
In her personal statement, Celina highlighted the importance of scholarships for students like her:“ This scholarship would allow me to fulfill my goals of completing my education and obtaining my Bachelor’ s degree to ultimately be a better provider for my family.... I know that going back to school is the right choice for me and I am immensely proud of my academic achievements... this scholarship will be a lifeline for me and my family.”
A new scholarship that was offered this year as well, the Eunice J. Picetti Memorial Scholarship, was awarded to twelve students. The scholarship fund is a result of the largest bequest ever left to Gavilan College: $ 190,000 from the estate of Fulton Picetti, a 1936 graduate of San Benito Junior College to create a scholarship fund in his sister’ s name. Picetti was a Hollister resident who transferred form San Benito Junior College to Stanford, where he earned a B. A. in Economics. He served as a Lt. Colonel in the U. S. Army and was an owner of Picetti and Anderson Insurance Agency in Hollister.
Scholarships are awarded through the Gavilan College Office of Financial Aid. For information about creating a scholarship, go to gavilan John. edu Garcia / finaid. Go to: gavilan. edu / pio / pressrelease. php? pr = 735 for complete list of 2015 scholarships.
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GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN JULY / AUGUST 2015 gmhtoday. com