Six seniors who earned scholarships in January competition get their own February exhibition in Los Olivos

The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara honored six student artists during a reception and exhibition at Fess Parker Winery in Los Olivos on Thursday, Feb. 12. All are seniors at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School who took part in the Foundation’s second annual Santa Ynez Valley Art Scholarship Competition on Jan. 22. Each will receive a college scholarship.

“We are pleased to celebrate these remarkably talented young artists, whose evident skill and creative energy are a testament to the guidance they have received from parents and teachers alike,” said Melinda Cabrera, president and CEO of the Scholarship Foundation. “Our thanks to the folks at Fess Parker Winery and to the generous donors who make these wonderful scholarships possible.”

The Scholarship Foundation invited seniors at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School to submit a portfolio of original work for its art competition on Jan. 22, with 15 student artists participating. A panel of prominent local artists judged the submissions in the school’s boardroom — Renée Kelleher, Karen McLean-McGaw, and Ginny Speirs.

Selected as winners were Caralyn Barber (Children’s Creative Project Art Scholarship), Emma Johnson (Hazen Family Foundation Art Scholarship), Alex Molera (Hazen Family Foundation Best of Show Art Scholarship), Stephanie Rondan (Towbes Foundation Art Scholarship), Anelly Tovalin (Carver Family Art Scholarship), and Devin Van Schmus (Towbes Foundation Art Scholarship). Each will receive a college scholarship in the amount of $3,000 or $3,500.

The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara is the nation’s largest community-based provider of college scholarships, having cumulatively awarded in excess of $167 million to some 64,000 county students since its founding in 1962. A nonprofit organization, the Scholarship Foundation also provides free financial aid advising services. For additional information, visit www.sbscholarship.org.