Wall of Honor Scholarships
Thanks to generous donations from our partners and other charitable sources, the John Garcia Youth and Wildlife Foundation offers four distinct scholarships to qualified graduating high school seniors each year, dependent upon funding. These scholarships honor the legacies of individuals who’ve dedicated their lives to family, education, work and the great outdoors. The scholarships ensure that future generations will share these very same values in the years ahead.
The scholarships range from $300 to $500 and are open to graduating seniors from all Gateway Community Charter high schools. Teachers and administrators from Gateway Community Charters may nominate candidates by submitting up to two written pages explaining why the candidate should be selected, along with up to three supporting documents such as transcripts, volunteer service records and newspaper articles, to the John Garcia Youth and Wildlife Foundation via the links below.
Award recipients are chosen by the John Garcia Foundation or a designated party. In the case of a tie, the final decision is made by Gateway Community Charters administrators. Scholarship recipients will receive a written check in their name from the Foundation. The scholarships are intended to provide financial help to graduating seniors who plan to attend college or a vocational school after high school.
While the Foundation hopes to award the scholarships listed below annually, the actual number of awards issued per year is dependent upon donations from our partners and other charitable sources. The four scholarships are similar, but each embodies the values of their particular namesake. Gateway Community Charters teachers and administrators are highly encouraged to submit eligible candidates. For more information, please contact us.
Dr. Lee Negri
The Dr. Lee Negri Scholarship
The late Dr. Lee Negri was the longtime Director of the San Juan Unified School District, a lifelong educator and a founding member of the John Garcia Youth and Wildlife Foundation. The Foundation awards up to two $500 scholarships in Dr. Negri’s name to qualified student candidates for the purposes of pursuing a career in wildlife management or a related field. The scholarships are made possible by a generous donation from Edward Jones Investing. To apply or for more information on the Dr. Lee Negri Scholarship, please contact us.
John Garcia
Garcia Foundation Board of Directors Scholarship
John Garcia’s life was tragically cut short by meningococcal meningitis in 2000, just after he graduated from high school. His legacy lives on with the John Garcia Youth and Wildlife Foundation, which awards up to two $500 scholarships to qualified students who exemplify John’s compassion for other people, his dedication to education, his athleticism and his love for the great outdoors and wildlife. To apply or for more information on the Garcia Foundation Board of Directors Scholarship, please contact us.
Louis Antone Orzalli
Louis Antone Orzalli Memorial Scholarship
Born in 1909 in Nevada City, Louis Antone Orzalli left school at age 14 to work in the gold mines. He later served with distinction in WWII. He spent summers and falls “cowboying” in the the high Sierra and had a profound love for hunting, fishing and the great outdoors. His own education may have been limited, but he stressed the value and importance of eduction to his children. The Louis Antone Orzalli Memorial Scholarship awards up to $300 to qualified students who demonstrate the late Orzalli’s strong work ethic and commitment to education. “I’ve never known anyone who placed a greater value on learning,” explained Randy Orzalli, president of the John Garcia Youth and Wildlife Foundation. “Dad would be pleased to be helping a deserving student and extremely proud to be honored in this way.” To apply for more information on the Louis Antone Orzalli Memorial Scholarship please contact us.
Dan Santo
Dan Santo Memorial Scholarship
Dan Santo (1938-2011) grew up in Arcadia, California and met his soulmate, Christine, at Whittier College. Dan served in the US Navy and Naval Reserve and earned a law degree at University of San Diego. After the Navy, Dan worked as a contracts administrator in the aerospace industry, and later, he began a new career in school facilities. He was passionate about giving back to his community and mentoring young people. Dan served on the boards of many organizations supporting experiences for young people in music and the arts. Dan also supported organizations which provided young people in urban settings to connect with nature, including field trips that emphasize habitat and wildlife conservation. This scholarship in Dan’s honor provides a total of $1000 for up to two qualified graduating seniors from Gateway Community Charters. To apply or for more information on the Dan Santo Memorial Scholarship, please contact us.
Larry Branum
Larry Branum Memorial Scholarship
A Garcia Youth & Wildlife Foundation Scholarship
Larry Branum 1952 – 2016
Larry Branum believed in giving people a chance to improve their life through training and hard work. He was a champion for our schools and for all students, particularly those with special needs.
Larry was a member of the American Contractors Inspection Association, (ACIA) Sacramento-Sierra Chapter, and was honored for his contributions with a President’s Award for Outstanding Service to ACIA at their 2015 Symposium. Larry Michael Branum was the Senior Director of Support Operations Services for the Yolo County Office of Education. He was strongly committed to creating beautiful, safe and appropriate work and play area for the students and staff of the schools he served. This $500 scholarship is awarded to a qualified graduating senior at Gateway Community Charters. To apply or for more information on the Dan Santo Memorial Scholarship, please contact us.