The 2014-15 academic award winners were recently announced by the Richard J. Ernest Scholarship Trustees. Congratulations to:
Jennifer Frost
Mikel Frost
Celina Gomez
Alana Gookin
Kylie Johnson
Madison Scott
Teri Szczepanek
Joanna TenEyck
Garrett M. Warren
Rudi M. Yniguez
Jennifer is the daughter of Steven and Wanda Frost, who both reside in Redding. She recently graduated magna cum laude from California State University, Sacramento, with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and became a private pilot in December 2013. Jennifer believes flying for CAL FIRE would be the ultimate career opportunity and plans to pursue that dream by enrolling in an institute of higher learning, such as Flight Incorporated – Flight Training Institute.
Mikel’s parents are also Steven and Wanda Frost of Redding. He continues to attend Shasta Community College, completing lower division transferable credits in preparation of the next step in his college education. Mikel states he is a progressive young man, very proud to be an American, and places a high emphasis on faith, education, family, integrity and service to others.
Celina resides in Fresno with her parents, Michael and Heather Gomez, who she states have always given her encouragement, support and motivation to obtain a higher education. Celina plans to pursue her aspirations of becoming a nurse anesthetist so she can help ease the pain of others.
Alana is the daughter of Pete and Lynn Gookin of Columbia. She is studying agriculture at California State University, Fresno, with the goal of obtaining a BS degree in livestock business management with a minor in agriculture business. Jennifer notes she will be participating on the beef show and livestock judging teams this coming fall.
Kylie’s parents are Robert and Sara Johnson from Awahnee. She just finished her first year at the Honor’s College of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, majoring in political science. Kylie reports this past year she trained for and completed the Tough Mudder Race supporting the Wounded Warriors project, involving ten miles and 25 obstacles of mud, water, hills and walls.
Madison is the daughter of Bryan and Karrie Nunes of Redding. She is in her third year at Shasta College working towards a career goal of becoming a physical therapist assistant. Madison looks forward to learning how to heal patients with different disabilities and improving people’s lives.
Teri is from Etna and her parents are Dan and Linda Szczepanek. She attends California State University, Chico, working on a degree in nutrition. Teri explains during prior summers she has been employed as a seasonal firefighter. However, this year she is working an on-campus job while completing hours towards a graduation requirement as an intern for the Center for Nutrition and Physical Promotion (CNAP).
Joanna is the daughter of Joe and Veronica Ten Eyck from Penn Valley. She is attending Sierra College, pursuing her dreams and goals of obtaining master and bachelor degrees in agricultural sciences and agricultural marketing, respectively. Joanna points out the world relies on agriculture as the supplier of furniture, clothing, construction, automotive material and food, and she wants to help move it towards a more sustainable future.
Garrett is the son of Joe and Rebecca Warren of Redding. He studies philosophy at North Park University in Chicago. Garrett explains his desire is not to simply put a “quick fix” on social ills but to instead mend the source of the problem. After studying for one semester in India, his resolve to this commitment is even stronger.
Rudi’s parents are Rudy Yniguez and Jenni Middleton from Redding. As a student at Williams College in Williamstown, MA, she was given the chance to study in Morocco this past year and awarded the opportunity of studying at Oxford University for her junior year. Rudi notes that adding the element of travel into her college experience further widens and reformulates her world view, as well as her place in the world.