This article is part of the ’24-’25 Donor Yearbook & Annual Report. Click here to download the full report (PDF).
The Foundation’s Scholarship Program continues to celebrate and invest in the incredible talent of students across our four-county region. For the 2024–2025 fiscal year, 363 students were awarded a total of $967,000 through 514 scholarships. These scholarships reflect not just financial support, but also a powerful vote of confidence in the dreams and goals of the young people who are shaping the future of our rural communities.
Our region is rich with students whose ambitions span medicine, the arts, science, education, and countless other fields. Many are the first in their families to pursue higher education, carrying forward a legacy of curiosity and leadership. In fact, 63 percent of recipients are first-generation students. In working to realize their highest aspirations, they embody the determination to chart new paths. More than half of this year’s scholars (55 percent) identify as students of color, reflecting the deep diversity that strengthens and enriches our communities.
The program itself is growing right alongside these aspirations. HAF+WRCF has continued to expand the number of scholarships offered, with this year marking record levels of applications and available opportunities. Applications increased by 14.2 percent from last year, and have grown by 41 percent since 2022—a continued sign of the momentum among students in our region as they reach their educational goals.
On average, each recipient received more than $2,000 in support. While the dollar amount is meaningful, the deeper impact lies in the way scholarships unlock possibilities: creating space for students to focus on their studies, explore their passions, and lead with confidence. These scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of donors and the enduring commitment of our communities to invest in their young people.
SCHOLARSHIP HIGHLIGHT: Fortuna High Grad Awarded Two Scholarships In Pursuit of Higher-Ed Goals
Samantha Camacho, an aspiring pre-med student, is among this year’s recipients of the David J. and Elizabeth (Betsy) K. Somerville Scholarship, as well as the William Tamo Memorial Scholarship, which supports nursing students who graduate from Fortuna High. “I’ve always been really interested in the medical field and helping others. I love anything hands-on helping people, so that’s where I see my future,” says Samantha.
Beyond her academic goals, Samantha’s wide-ranging involvement in school and community life has given her experiences she’ll carry into her future. She reflects that serving as Senior Class President honed her leadership and organizational skills, while volunteering with Fortuna Creeks Club, Teen Court, and the local fire department taught her determination, integrity, and a deep sense of service. She shares that these opportunities have shaped her into someone who can communicate, lead, and make thoughtful decisions, and that she’ll carry those skills into her future career.
Samantha comments that tools like the Foundation’s Universal Application and Scholarship Finder alleviate potential financial hardships as well as application fatigue when applying for school. “Sometimes it can be overwhelming because there’s so many different scholarships,” says Camacho. “Programs like Scholarship Finder have helped me a bunch, and it helps many of my friends. I’m glad there are these opportunities because it really helps me get to where I want to be in the future and have an opportunity to pursue