{"id":24310,"date":"2026-06-16T10:19:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T17:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vccf.org\/?p=24310"},"modified":"2026-06-16T10:21:58","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T17:21:58","slug":"celebrating-vccfs-2026-scholarship-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vccf.org\/it\/celebrating-vccfs-2026-scholarship-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating VCCF&#8217;s 2026 Scholarship Students!"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Scholarship Video 2026\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/1200897359?h=60fe1c57be&amp;dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Message from Our Scholarship Team<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Happy summer from the <a href=\"https:\/\/vccf.org\/it\/scholarships\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"22926\"><strong>Programma di borse di studio VCCF<\/strong><\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As another incredible season closes, we are proud to share the remarkable growth and impact of the VCCF Scholarship Program in 2026.<br>This year\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>We received 1,345 scholarship applications, up from 1,291 last year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We awarded 610 scholarships totaling an extraordinary $2,009,312, making this our largest award year ever!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We welcomed SIX new scholarship funds, adding an additional $114,000 in support for local students pursuing higher education.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"521\" src=\"https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/student-6-1024x521.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24314\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.9654869844983913;width:476px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/student-6-1024x521.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/student-6-300x153.jpg 300w, https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/student-6-768x391.jpg 768w, https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/student-6-1536x781.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/student-6-2048x1042.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/student-6-18x9.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>None of this would be possible without the dedication of <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/vccf.org\/it\/scholarships\/readers\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"http:\/\/vccf.org\/scholarships\/readers\/\">our volunteers<\/a><\/strong>. This year, more than 170 readers gave their time to review and score scholarship applications, and to represent VCCF at high school senior award ceremonies throughout Ventura County. Their commitment, compassion and belief in our students are at the heart of this program\u2019s success, and we are deeply grateful for their support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One highlight of our spring was visiting a local high school alongside one of our volunteers. Sierra, one of our volunteers and I had the opportunity to meet with the school\u2019s college and career guidance team and learn more about their work mentoring students through scholarship season. Their dedication to student success is truly inspiring and we are thrilled to report that every city in Ventura County was represented in our VCCF Scholarship awards for 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We would like to give a heartfelt thank you to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/vccf.org\/it\/scholarships\/donors\/\"><strong>our donors<\/strong><\/a>, whose passion for our community helps to lift up hundreds of our local students to reach their educational dreams. We are also continuing our work towards an exciting goal: establishing a new community endowed scholarship fund, allowing donors to contribute at any level in support of Ventura County students. This shared investment in education reflects the very best of our community, people coming together to reduce financial barriers for students and create greater access to higher education.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/teach-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24313\" style=\"width:334px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/teach-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/teach-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/teach-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/teach-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/teach-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/teach-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/teach-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/teach-12x12.jpg 12w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Thank you for being part of this important work and for continuing to invest in the future of Ventura County students. We are so grateful for your partnership and support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wishing you a wonderful summer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Warmly,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kirsti e Sierra<br><em>Kirsti Vomund, Scholarship Director<br>Sierra Kettenberg, Grant &amp; Scholarship Program Specialist<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Our Student Gratitude Gallery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Students across Ventura County have accepted awards from the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vccf.org\/it\/scholarships\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"22926\">Programma di borse di studio VCCF<\/a><\/strong> for our 2026 season, lifting up 440 students to achieve their academic dreams. These students would like to say thank you to our donors and volunteer readers who made this possible, and share a bit about their lives and hopes for the future\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Miguel-Rodriguez.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24287 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Miguel-Rodriguez.png 600w, https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Miguel-Rodriguez-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Miguel-Rodriguez-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Miguel-Rodriguez-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>&#8220;Just a couple days ago, I asked myself how I was actually going to pay for college, and at the time I honestly had no clue. Then a couple days later, I opened my email and was surprised with a couple of emails congratulating me for winning some scholarships. I was in shock and extremely excited. Opportunities like this are what really makes or breaks going to college for a lot of people, including myself.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; Miguel<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px;width:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 30%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\">&#8220;While the scholarship provides valuable support for my legal education, what means even more to me is the confidence and encouragement it represents. Knowing that others believe in my potential and are willing to invest in my future is both humbling and inspiring. Throughout my education and career, I have been committed to serving my community and advocating for youth and families. This scholarship affirms that commitment and strengthens my resolve to continue pursuing meaningful work that creates positive change.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\">&#8211; Valerie<\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Valerie-Salazar.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24300 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Valerie-Salazar.png 600w, https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Valerie-Salazar-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Valerie-Salazar-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/vccf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Valerie-Salazar-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-50\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-fl-topbar-bg-color has-fl-accent-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-medium-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\">Per saperne di pi\u00f9<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Message from Our Scholarship Team Happy summer from the VCCF Scholarship Program! As another incredible season closes, we are proud to share the remarkable growth and impact of the&hellip;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24310","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog-posts"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vccf.org\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24310","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vccf.org\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vccf.org\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vccf.org\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vccf.org\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24310"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vccf.org\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24310\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vccf.org\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24310"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vccf.org\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24310"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vccf.org\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24310"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}