2026 SCHOLARSHIPS
Celebrating a Record Year of Scholarships!
The Santa Ynez Valley Foundation celebrated a record year of scholarship giving, awarding $85,000 to 64 local students as they pursue their college and career dreams. Honored for their academic achievement, leadership, community service, and potential, the recipients include 2026 graduating high school seniors and second-year college students continuing their education.
Pictured above: Forty scholarship recipients from Santa Ynez Valley Union High School.
Congratulations 2026 Scholarship Recipients!
2026 Dunn School awardees
David & Jan Crosby Scholarship
honoring the legacy of music icon David Crosby and the contributions of his wife Jan Crosby by supporting students pursuing artistic passions and creative careers. The 2026 recipients were Evan Hecker, Addisynn Laliberte, and Alex Santi.
Walter Hanson Scholarship
honoring the former publisher of the Santa Ynez Valley News by supporting students pursuing careers rooted in service. This year's recipients were aspiring nurse practitioner Jazmine Juarez, future firefighter engineer Diego Pulido, construction management student Levi Snow, and future NICU nurse Haley Spry.
Gianna Bella Memorial Scholarship
supports a student pursuing a career in health and human services, education, or the arts. The inaugural award went to nursing student Meghan Richardson.
Scholarship recipients: Santa Ynez Valley Union High School
In addition to the students receiving named scholarships, the Foundation awarded scholarships to the following graduating seniors from Santa Ynez Valley Union High School:
Fiona Adams • Rylee Arellano • Natalie Bailey • Brandon Barbosa • Samantha Briceño • Kacy Caplan • Cayden Corral • Levi DeJohn • Madison Gerend • Vincent Guerrero • Cooper Haws • Devyn Hazard • Anthony Herrera • Danielle Hyland • Jaretzi Jimenez • Emma Johnson • Ryker Manaku • Jonathan Medina, • Alex Molera • Lexi Molera • Skyla Oslin-Castorena • Aileen Rico • Quinn Robinson • Dominic Rodriguez • Glorian Rodriguez • Maximillian Rosales • Mason Skidmore • Anelly Tovali • Keegan Withrow • Allison Zepeda Lopez • Mario Zepeda Rosas
Scholarship recipients: Dunn School
Scholarships were also awarded to these five local Dunn School seniors: Fallon McKee, Grace Pitts, Diego Stephenson, Grace Sugich, and Margaret Watson.
Second Year College Scholarships
Eighteen college students received scholarships to support their second year of study, building on the awards they first earned as high school seniors. Each continues to pursue their education with distinction and dedication.
Jesse Arango • Addison Bunke • Nataly Davalos • Martin Diaz • Saira Fernandez • Aaron Figueroa • Addison Godfrey • Sadie Godfrey • Mykah Hardy Moniot • Adin Kokorowski • Griffin Markee • Ryder McClurg • Presley Miller • Malia Ortiz • Natalie O'Shaughnessy • Yasmin Ozkan • Meara Samaan • Sofia Tinajero
Youth Community Champion Awards
Kacy Caplan and Adrian Garcia
This award celebrates two young people whose passion and volunteer spirit have already made a difference in our community. The honorees were recognized at the October 2025 Champions of the Valley event, each receiving a $1,000 scholarship.