Local boy wins history contest
Quade Kelley, an Encinitas fifth-grader in the PCA Inspire Family of Schools Homeschool, was one of 10 recent winners in the Who Was? History Bee initiative. More than 25,000 students from 49 states participated in the free contest, hosted by Penguin Young Readers and based on the “Who Was?” history and biography children’s book series. The 10 finalists were originally set to compete at a championship in New York City, hosted by authors Jeff Kinney (“Diary of a Wimpy Kid”) and his brother, Patrick Kinney (“Who Is Jeff Kinney?”). Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all 10 finalists were named winners in a video call with the authors. To reach the finals, contestants won classroom and school competitions, took written tests, and wrote an essay about their historical heroes. Quade chose Mother Teresa. Each champion will receive $2,000 and a library of 50 “Who Was?” books. The 10 champions also each received $500 to donate to a first-responder organization, hospital or nonprofit of their choice. Visit www.whowashistorybee.com.
NORTH COUNTY ‘Stuff the Bus’ event collects donations
The San Diego County Office of Education and San Diego County Credit Union have teamed up for the sixth straight year for the Stuff the Bus school supplies drive, aimed at helping the region’s homeless students. More than 22,000 school-age children in San Diego County are homeless, and they have been especially affected by the school and business closures. The campaign is online only this year, with no on-site collection of school supplies. Instead, the campaign is collecting online donations at https://www.sdccu.com/promotions/sdccustuff-the-bus to buy backpacks full of pencils, pens, binders, crayons and more. The Stuff the Bus campaign runs throughjuly and is again partnering with local iheartmedia radio stations Star 94.1, JAM’N 95.7, and Channel 93.3 for special appearances and interviews.
2 friends earn ROTC scholarships
Torrey Pines High School graduates Alec Howell and Michael Cava have each received U.S. Marine Corps ROTC scholarships, worth about $200,000 and $225,000 respectively. The two students are longtime friends and decided to apply for their scholarships together. Besides scoring at least 22 on the ACT, 1000 on the SAT or 74 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test, applicants must also score above 200 on the Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test, which includes pullups or pushups, crunches, and a 3-mile run. The acceptance rate for these scholarships is about 5 percent. Both students started training their junior year. Howell plans to attend the University of San Diego to study finance, and Cava will attend the University of Southern California to study international relations. When they reach their junior years in college, they will attend a 10-week officer candidate school in Quantico, Va., and will be commissioned as second lieutenants in the Marine Corps after they graduate from college.
Local students graduate college
University of Findlay, Findlay, Ohio: Mary Addy of Encinitas, Bachelor of Science in healthcare management
University of Scranton, Scranton, Pa.: Valeria Andrea Villanueva of Vista, Master of Accountancy with a major in accountancy
University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, Ky.: Uday Kiran Pendyala of Escondido, Master of Science in information systems security
Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colo.: Beau Carlborg of Solana Beach, bachelor’s degree in computer science
OCEANSIDE Arts foundation awards scholarships
The Oceanside Cultural Arts Foundation recently awarded scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000, totaling more than $2,000, to three students: Chiara Curnow, Fallbrook High School, who plans to work for a master’s degree in education; Brenna Farris, Classical Academy, who plans to attend Chapman University; and Danika Benson, Oceanside High School, who plans to attend the University of Nevada, Reno. The nonprofit’s goal is to broaden the cultural, visual and performing arts in Oceanside and surrounding communities. Proceeds from its festivals go toward scholarships for graduating seniors from North County to help them continue their arts education. Visit https://ocaf.info.
Genentech Foundation gives grant to MCC
Miracosta College students trying to make ends meet during the COVID-19 pandemic are receiving immediate cash payments funded through a $50,000 grant from the Genentech Foundation. The grant goes to the Miracosta College Foundation’s Student Emergency Response Initiative. “Even before the coronavirus pandemic led to widespread job loss and economic uncertainty, a large population of community college students at Miracosta and throughout California were already struggling financially,” said Kristin Campbell Reed, the foundation’s executive director. “We are honored to help make a difference in these students’ lives.” The grant provides payments of up to $500 to students in need. A portion of the grant will also help fund a student worker in the Miracosta College CARE program. Donations to the foundation’s Emergency Fund exceed $400,000 to date. To donate, visit https://foundation.miracosta.edu/donatenow.aspx.
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