2018 Pedrozzi Scholars Announced

LIVERMORE, CA - To mark the beginning of the second decade of scholarships, the Pedrozzi Foundation recently awarded $412,000 in scholarships to 114 local scholars. Since 2008, the Pedrozzi Foundation has awarded $4 million to 1,100 Livermore students. Of the 2018 Pedrozzi Scholars, seventeen percent will be the first in their family to attend college. These scholars will be attending community college, undergraduate, graduate, and trade schools in the upcoming school year.

The annual Scholar Recognition Even at the Bankhead Theater brought together people from across the community and both past and present Pedrozzi Scholars. Morgan Mayhew, a 2017 Pedrozzi Scholar studying music therapy at the University of Kansas, performed a piece on the flute and 2008 Pedrozzi Scholar Cassie Braun spoke words of advice for students heading off to college.

The 2018 Pedrozzi Young Scholars were celebrated for their achievement and encouraged on the remainder of their academic journey. The Pedrozzi Young Scholar program seeks to promote equity in opportunity for Marylin Avenue Elementary School honor students in pursuit of their educational goals beyond high school. The program seeks to expose students and their families to resources and support for their journey towards college and career readiness.

The number of Pedrozzi Scholars continues to grow each year as generous members of the Livermore community fund scholarships as a form of giving back and to honor peers, family members, and friends. This year there were fifteen scholarships funded by community members.

Supporters Mim John, Gary Johnson, Jay and Mary Davis, and Board President Kathy Coyle continue to provide scholarships each year. An endowed scholarship honoring musician Charles Amirkhanian, donated by an anonymous Livermore couple, provided a music scholarship for a second year. In addition to these scholarships, several new scholarships were provided this year by gracious donors.

After learning more about the foundation and deciding she wanted to invest in today’s youth, Elaine Prohaska funded the Elaine and Jerry Prohaska STEM Scholarship. Melia Miller, the recipient of the scholarship, is pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering.

Bryan Balazs and Lori Souza funded three Pedrozzi Continuous Achievement Scholarships, which provide additional support to Pedrozzi Scholars at community colleges. 2018 Recipient Suzanne Montgomery said, “I am a mother of two young children, which at times can be difficult while attending school, but my children are also the driving force of my inspiration. This scholarship will help me pay for school supplies and gas to get to and from school, as well any other financial obstacles I might run into.” The endowment for these scholarships will support students who are overcoming challenging circumstances while still pursuing their education.

The Rotary Club of Livermore funded two scholarships to honor long-time Rotarians and influential Livermore community members Leo Croce and John Shirley. Rachel Roter received the Leo Croce Undergraduate Scholarship for her passion for education just like that of Leo Croce. Shelby Rocereto received the John Shirley Undergraduate Scholarship, named after a former veterinarian, for her interest in veterinary medicine. Shelby captured how scholarships do more than just ease the financial burden of college and wrote, “Not only does this scholarship help me financially, but it also encourages me to continue performing my best in college.”

Along with undergraduate, community college, and graduate scholarships, vocational scholarships are awarded each year. As in recent years, Alan and Mary Burnham continue to fund the Francis Burnham Vocational Scholarship. This year, in partnership with ABC NorCal, the foundation provided the ABC NorCal Apprenticeship Tool Scholarship to Jorge Gonzalez, an electrical apprentice. Upon receiving the scholarship, Jorge stated, “Along with tools, while on the job you want to be properly equipped with the right attire, from boots to a pair of sturdy work pants. This scholarship is going to help me become prepared for many occasions, and for that I’m thankful.” Jorge’s scholarship was funded by Board Treasurer John Houghton in addition to two STEM scholarships.

Contact the Foundation at 925-456-3700 or info@Pedrozzi.org; visit Pedrozzi.org to learn more.

2018 Pedrozzi Scholars:

Pedrozzi Young Scholars: Kimberly Cano, Angelina Cruz, Yoselin Delgado, Candice Dy Cruz, Flor Jimenez, Vanessa Perez, Alessandra Puentes, Katherine Robles, Samantha Romero, Priel Wolfe

Community College Scholarships: Xochitl Ayala, Willow Ayres, Kimberly Beltran, Sierra Bolar, Alyssa Bonfiglio, Katherine Cama Diaz, Codey Colagross, Ailyn Dominguez De Alba, Emily Ilharreguy, Camille La Blanc, Lillian Lowe, Katherine Mathers, Mekhi McElroy, Suzanne Montgomery, Laura Rambo, Candace Rho, Luciana Romero, Diana Salguero, Fabiola Valle, Karen Vazquez, Nathan Wilson, Devan Yarnell

Undergraduate Scholarships: Alice Aufderheide, Soma Sai Kumar Badri, Jinyoung Bae, Destiny Balch, Eve Banas, Garrett Barker, Nicole Bartels, Cassidy Bates, Jessica Bennett, John Bennett, Gabriella Bond, Chloe Brickwedel, Miriam Brown, Nicholas Chan, Julia Cleric, Ashley Cole, Piper Cooke, Shahaf Dan, Lauren Dethier, Fotios Dimitropoulos, Andrew Divita, Sydney Duncan, Weston Everett, Kathryn Falgout, Juan Fernandez, Andrea Flores, Devin Funaro, Dominic Giuliano, Ashley Guerrero, Dallin Harwood, Olivia Howe, Jaden Husser, Jasmine Jaing, Paige Johnson, Megan Johnston, Emily Jones, Reece Kerstetter, Madelyn Krueger, Nikhil Kumar, Matthew Laurence, Milla-Maria Lindevall, Mason Lydon, Isabel Mariano, Melia Miller, Sarah Morgan, Catherine Munzar, Matthew Myers, Sarah Ng, Chidinma Onwuegbu, Britney Ortiz, Anthony-Joseph Oto, Ki Ja Ourdoune, Gianna Paden, Sheridan Peters, Maya Pillon, Madelyn Potts, Lily Prusso, Connor Razma, Shelby Rocereto, Lauren Rodgers, Adrien Rooney, Sierra Rose, Rachel Roter, Maile Sasaki, Katherine Seidl, Alyssa Silva, Tylor Silva, Meenakshi Singhal, Kate Sire, Sophia St.Clair, Matthew Stepanek, Rochelle Stewart, Connor Sweeney, Rachel Sylwester, Ivy Tang, Emily Trask, Mariana VandenHeuvel, Huong Vu, Andrew Walker, Emily Wapman, Chelsea Warner, Justin Watson, Fiona Weaver, Molly Wharton, Alice Williams, Heather Woelk, Hunter Woffinden, Erika Yang

Graduate Scholarships: Stacy Amador, Sara Journey, Emily Kalantar

Vocational Scholarship: Neydelin Torres

Apprenticeship Tool Scholarship: Jorge Gonzalez

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ABOUT THE PEDROZZI FOUNDATION

The Pedrozzi Foundation provides college and vocational scholarships and resources to Livermore students. We believe that all students deserve the chance to pursue their educational and career goals and that the lack of finances or information should not be a barrier. Every day we create an impact by helping our students achieve their dreams. The Foundation was established by Mario Pedrozzi, a Livermore businessman, who left his estate as a gift to the community. Other community members are continuing Mr. Pedrozzi’s legacy by generously donating to this unique and high-impact community organization. Learn more at Pedrozzi.org.