The Monticola Club, a cornerstone of the Susanville community for more than a century, gathered on April 17th, to honor four exceptional local students during their annual scholarship luncheon. Celebrating 114 years of community service, the club’s tireless fundraising efforts once again allowed them to invest in the next generation, awarding three $500 scholarships to Lassen High School seniors and a $1,000 memorial scholarship to a Lassen College graduate.
The first of the high school honors, the Monticola Vocational Scholarship, was awarded to Miguel Hernandez. Since its inception in 1984, this scholarship has supported students pursuing specialized technical careers. Miguel, an AP Scholar with Honors who has been recognized for his academic excellence in rural and small-town categories, is headed to Chico State. There, he will turn his passion for 3D graphics and animation into a career in game development. Beyond his technical skills, he joined the California Scholarship Federation, volunteers and performs community service including cleaning Diamond Crest Cemetery for Memorial Day.
The Spencer Memorial Scholarship, the club’s oldest tradition dating back to 1959, was presented to Marie Giles. A true standout at Lassen High, Marie has balanced life as a multi-sport athlete in soccer, field hockey, and track with significant leadership roles. In addition to winning the 2023 Rotary speech contest, she founded the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at LHS and is a dedicated lifeguard and swim instructor. Having been accepted to both Westmont University and UC Davis, Marie plans to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering.
The 2026 Monticola Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Londyn Smith, whose diverse interests range from the FFA Ag Sales team and golf to drama and the school newspaper. A consistent Honor Roll student who also finds time to work and babysit, Londyn is headed to Brigham Young University. She plans to study Psychology with the noble goal of becoming a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals living with brain injuries, autism and developmental disabilities.
Finally, the club presented its highest honor, the $1,000 Etta Tarry Memorial Scholarship, to Lassen College graduate Reegan Dunten. Named for a former club member and awarded since 1979, this scholarship supports students continuing their education at four-year universities.
Reegan, who impressively graduated from LHS and LCC concurrently in 2025, is currently a first-generation student-athlete at Southern Oregon University. While playing on the SOU football team, Reegan has emerged as a powerful voice for environmental sustainability and Native agriculture, serving as a Tribal Agriculture Fellowship Ambassador and meeting with government agencies like the USDA to advocate for environmental studies.
Through these awards, the Monticola Club continues its century-long legacy of fostering talent and supporting the ambitious dreams of Susanville’s students.
