By Georgianna Hall
Monticola Club Scholarship Committee
Susanville’s Monticola Club honored the organization’s 2025 scholarship winners at its April 18th luncheon. The local women’s volunteer community service organization is celebrating 112 years of service and has awarded more than 200 scholarships to local students since 1959.
The Etta Tarry Memorial Scholarship of $1,000 is awarded to a Lassen College student graduating and continuing his or her education at an accredited college or university. Lily Ann Tinston is the 2025 recipient of this scholarship and is graduating from both Lassen High School and Lassen College in May 2025.
Lily will be continuing her education at Truckee Meadows Community College or Oregon Institute of Technology majoring in radiologic technology with a view to obtaining certification as an MRI technician.
Lily is an honor student, a four year-FBLA member and officer, a four year member of CSF, a youth sport volunteer, and the Lassen County Farm Bureau newsletter co-editor and printer.
Monticola awards three scholarships of $500 each to graduating high school students. The Spencer Memorial Scholarship was first awarded in 1959 at Lassen High School. This scholarship is named in honor of the club’s founder, Philenda Spencer and her two daughters, Iva Raker, wife of an early California congressman, and Superior Court Judge Gladys Burroughs.
Bella Rivas is the 2025 recipient and will be attending UC Irvine or UC San Diego and majoring in psychology after a semester as an exchange student in Italy. Bella has participated in sports on both the varsity swim and track teams. She is an AP scholar, member of FBLA, drama club and the journalism club.
Bella has also been employed at IGA as a courtesy clerk for two years. She has volunteered in our community as part of the AWANA program through her church and the Rotary Interact Club.
The Monticola Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Alexa Winje. Alexa is eager to make a difference in the lives of children and will be attending Lassen Community College. Her major is early childhood development/elementary education with a view to obtaining her credential.
Alexa is an honor student, a four year volleyball player (captain her junior and senior years), a class officer, a community volunteer and works two part time jobs.
The Monticola Vocational Scholarship was first awarded in 1984. This year’s recipient is Devin DeForest. While in high school Devin has taken automotive classes at Lassen College.
Devin has a strong academic record and has been active in three sports: baseball, basketball and football. He is also active in FBLA, FFA and 4-H. He has volunteered at community events and is a part-time employee at Susanville Grocery Outlet.
Devin will be attending Lassen College continue playing baseball and to earn auto industry certifications with a view to owning an auto mechanic business.
These students are recognized for their academic achievement, athletic skills, community service, and leadership. There were many outstanding applicants, which made it challenging to select just a few.
All Monticola members congratulated the students and wished them well.
Monticola was founded in 1912 and members have focused on a variety of community service projects including the library, health and safety issues, and the HLVRA swimming pool.
