County announces scholarship winners

EL CENTRO -- The Imperial County Board of Supervisors Tuesday announced the 15 winners of its 2020 Public Benefit School Program.

The program awarded two $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school students or students currently attending Imperial Valley College and one $ 5,000 scholarship to a graduating high school student attending an accredited four-year university for each supervisorial district.

In March, the Board of Supervisors approved the allocation of $35,000 and the formation of a committee to review applications and make a recommendation for scholarship winners.

“It is a great pleasure for this board to utilize funds through the Public Benefit Program to provide opportunities for students continuing their education,” Chairman of the Board and District 2 Supervisor, Luis A. Plancarte said. “I look forward to what these individuals will accomplish in the future and their contribution back to our community.”

The scholarship winners, by district:

District 1

• Valerie Raygoza, San Diego State University, $5,000

• Enrique Valdivia, Imperial Valley College, $1,000

• Jireh Serrato, Imperial Valley College, $1,000

District 2

• Kailah Alvarez, University of Arizona, $5,000

• Alejandra Moreno, Imperial Valley College, $1,000

• Lessley Martinez, Imperial Valley College, $1,000

District 3

• Gabriella Esparaza, University of Arizona, $5,000

• Isabella Harvey, Imperial Valley College, $1,000

• Vianca Carruth, Imperial Valley College, $1,000

District 4

• Kendall Shields, Harvard University, $5,000

• Abigail Velasquez, Imperial Valley College, $1,000

• Cristopher Carrillo, Imperial Valley College, $1,000

District 5

• Sakhi Patel, University California Irvine, $5,000

• Melissa Villarreal, Imperial Valley College, $1,000

• Jorge Chavez, Jr., Imperial Valley College, $1,000

A video highlighting all scholarship recipients can be viewed at https:// www.youtube.com/ watch?v=MkwVgZvf_TY