Phoenix Scholarships Help Re-entry Students Pursue their Goals

VENTURA, Calif. - March 12, 2014 - PRLog -- The Ventura College Foundation is awarding Phoenix Scholarships to 32 adults who decided to return to school at Ventura College to achieve their career goals. Scholarship recipients with minimal or no financial resources to cover the costs of their education will receive scholarships of $1,000 each at the 15^th annual scholarship ceremony, held 6-8 p.m., March 20 at Wright Event Center on the Ventura College campus, 57 Day Road. The Ventura College Foundation’s staff and board of directors will host the event.

“I’m always inspired by the scholarship recipients’ stories of perseverance as they overcome financial and personal challenges to be in school so they can upgrade their skills,” said Norbert Tan, executive director of the Ventura College Foundation. “It’s stressful trying to pay for college when you’re already balancing school with working and caring for a family, so being able to give these hard-working students a Phoenix Scholarship is very rewarding.”

Ventura College Foundation board members started the Phoenix Scholarship Program in November 1999 after learning about the special needs of Ventura College re-entry students. Re-entry students are defined as people who return to school to learn new skills in order to be competitive in the marketplace or who are returning to school after an extended break.

Phoenix Scholarship recipients are selected based on their academic goals and progress, along with their financial need.To be eligible for a scholarship, the students must submit an application and essay, and obtain recommendations from counselors, faculty and employers.

Established in 1983, the Ventura College Foundation provides financial support to the students and the programs of Ventura College to facilitate student success and grow the impact and legacy of Ventura College as a vital community asset. The Foundation also hosts the Ventura College Foundation Marketplace, an outdoor shopping experience held every weekend on the Ventura College campus east parking lot. For more information, visit www.venturacollege.edu/foundation.

2014 Phoenix Scholarship Recipients

Amanda Marie Adams

Donald Adams

Allison Paige Akrop

Julia Barrios

Kristen Marie Cappellucci

Mariesa Kristine Chavez

Crystal Coke

Morgan Conner

Dana Jean Espina

Christy Ferguson

Whitney Glidden

Sandy Gonzalez Zavala

Katherine Elizabeth Gronewold

Maria Guerrero

Katiuska Hernandez Caro

Scott L. Kosche

Carlos Valentino Landeros

James Williams Mallinson

Keith Allen Manson

Sara Medina

April Pentangelo

Jeanette Susanne Rennie

Wayne Romans

Christopher Salazar

Amber Elizabeth Shields

Caryanne Shin

Nicole Marie Snyder

Rachel Stark

Lucas Thayer

Kelsey Tribble

Kristen True

Dolores Yolanda Velasquez