(Santa
Ana, CA) - The 2020 Santa Ana College (SAC) Scholarship
Awards Ceremony, virtually held on Friday, May 29, brought
together nearly 450 students, scholarship donors, supporters of the
college and their friends and family, shining a light on donors who, no
matter the circumstances, continue to support the most
deserving Santa Ana College scholars. “It was very important for us
to hold this ceremony and to not allow the current circumstances to stop us
from honoring our students and generous donors. The virtual event proved to be
just as engaging and celebratory as ever, and everyone who joined us was able
to share in the joy and pride that our students experienced,” said Rossina
Gallegos, SAC Foundation President.
Ceremony attendees were inspired by keynote speaker Cindy Shea, an 11-time
Grammy award nominee, and two-time Grammy award winning distinguished trumpet
player, who learned to play the trumpet at the age of eight.
Cindy studied music at California State University, Fullerton and Florida
International University before founding her own all female, wildly successful
ensemble group, the Mariachi Divas in
1999, a mariachi group comprising female musicians of diverse
backgrounds. Her rousing message to students was clear: reach for the
stars and don’t let anyone stand in your way. You are powerful enough to make
your dreams come true.
2020 Scholarship Ceremony Keynote Speaker and Grammy Award Winner Cindy Shea. Also evoking inspiration, the 2020
Scholarship Honoree of the year, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit
Union's continued partnership with Santa Ana College
Foundation has provided scholarships, grants, and program support
to staff, faculty, and students, positively impacting student success
initiatives at Santa Ana College. In addition, SchoolsFirst
FCU has continued to show dedication to helping SAC employees and
their families thrive, providing products and services designed around
their unique needs.
2020
Scholarship Honoree of the year, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union CEO Bill
Cheney with students.
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Some notable guests who were
highlighted and in attendance are: Kim Valentine of Valentine Law Group,
Rossina Gallegos with Union Bank, Bill Cheney, CEO of SchoolFirst Federal
Credit Union, Dr. Linda Rose, President of Santa Ana College, Dr. Vaniethia
Hubbard, Vice President of Student Services at Santa Ana College, and Catherine
Emley, Santa Ana College Scholarship Committee Chair and Medical Assistant
Program Professor.
“Santa Ana College scholarships will help to pay for any future study
abroad programs I plan on pursuing, as well as ensuring that my living expenses
are low to none when I transfer to the university of my choice,” said
Muadh A., SAC student-athlete and transfer scholarship recipient.
“For that, I am sincerely grateful! I came to SAC completely unaware of what
I wanted to do academically and found that there was an abundance of resources
readily available for me. I appreciate all the support I have received and I am
looking forward to an amazing education at my soon-to-be university.”
SAC Student Athlete and Scholarship Recipient, Muadh Abdul Hakim and his mother. During this 2020-2021 academic year,
the SAC Scholarship Program will award and distribute a total
of $587,196 in scholarships to 407 students. Award amounts range from
$500 to $8,000. In addition to the close to $600,000 that is
distributed, the scholarship team holds year-round informational
sessions on outside scholarship opportunities and helps train students on
application competitiveness and competency. SAC Scholarship Program
opportunities are awarded competitively
to hard-working students in need of additional support to
continue their education, who demonstrate great academic merit,
achievement, and leadership. Directly tied to the college’s overall completion
goals which support students as they continue to stay on the
path and reach their academic goals, scholarships are available
to all SAC students who meet the basic requirements who are
incoming, continuing, or transfer bound.
“Community colleges are proud to serve a large pool of high-performing,
first-generation students,” said Rossina Gallegos, Santa Ana Foundation Board
President & Scholarship Donor. “I want to congratulate all scholarship
recipients for their dedication and commitment to their education.”
To view just one of the moving videos shared with attendees, please click here.
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About
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College (SAC),
which turned 100 years old in 2015, serves about 18,000 students each semester
at its main campus in Santa Ana. The college prepares students for transfer to
four-year institutions, and provides invaluable workforce training and customized
training for business and industry. In addition, another 11,000 students are
served through the college’s School of Continuing Education located at
Centennial Education Center. Ranked as one of the nation’s top two-year
colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students, the
college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce
training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and other medical
personnel. SAC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of
the Rancho Santiago Community
College District.
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