Susanville’s Monticola Club honored its 2019 scholarship winners at luncheon meeting on April 18th. The local women’s volunteer community service organization is celebrating 107 years of service and has awarded 192 scholarships 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. Gabriella Geoia is the 2019 recipient and has been accepted at Chico State. Her goal is to earn a Master’s degree and become a high school teacher or college instructor.
Monticola awards three scholarships of $500 each at Lassen High School. The Spencer Memorial Scholarship was first awarded in 1959. 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. Gracie Claypool is the 2019 recipient and will be attending Sonoma State University in the nursing program.
The Monticola Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Isabella Geoia. Geoia will initially attend Lassen College then transfer to a four-year university to obtain a Bachelor’s degree and teaching credential.
The Monticola Vocational Scholarship was first awarded in 1984. This year’s recipient is Brendon Boyles. Brendon is also initially attending Lassen College. His goal is to work in the field of psychology or professional photography.
Scholarship committee chair Georgianne Hall said that students are recognized for their leadership, community service and academic achievement. Committee members Linda Heyland, Carol Van Amburg and Patty Davie noted that there were many outstanding applicants which made it challenging to select just a few.
All Monticola members congratulated the students and wished them well in their endeavors.
Monticola Club was founded in 1912, and members have focused on a variety of community service projects including the library, beautification projects, health and safety issues and, most recently, the new swimming pool. On Saturday, May 11, the Monticola Club members will be hosting a special Mother’s Day brunch to help fund the scholarship program and other projects.
