We are pleased to announce 7 scholarship winners this year!
Thank you to all who have contributed to make this possible.
Proceeds from the conference and from networking mixers
held throughout the year help fund the scholarships.

Brinda Gillaspy, Patterson

Brinda has a career in cosmetology, working as a hair stylist in Patterson. Realizing there is more to helping her clients look and feel great, she began studying health and wellness. She has recently become a movement coach based on cutting-edge neuroscience findings, helping people rehabilitate, reeducate, and restore movement and performance abilities. This can relieve pain, improve balance, enhance athletic performance, and much more.

Brinda is currently taking a series of Z-Health certification courses, then will begin work towards becoming a Master Trainer. She plans to offer group and personal courses in the local area for all: young and old, sedentary to professional athletes, inspiring and educating them to achieve what they may have thought would never be possible.

Vannita Johnson, Stockton

Vannita has an AA degree from San Joaquin Delta College. She is currently enrolled at the Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, working towards becoming an LVN while pursuing an Associate Degree in Nursing. She currently works as a CNA and home health aide, and has volunteered helping the homeless.

In 1997, Vannita was diagnosed with a brain tumor. After her first surgery, she had to relearn to talk, read, write, and walk. While healing, she discovered a new purpose. She was inspired to pursue a career where she could help others in the same way she was helped. She returned to school in 2005. Vannita ultimately plans to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, then become a charge nurse in neurology.

Jaskirat Kaur, Modesto

Jaskirat has an Associate of Science degree in Computer and Electronics Engineering Technology, and is pursuing a BS in Electronics & Engineering Technology. She also works at the college doing office work and tutoring electronics, physics and math. She is described as a model student with an excellent work ethic. Jaskirat stays late in the lab after completing her own work to help other students.

She is fluent in three languages, learns quickly, and never gives up. She plans to pursue a Masters Degree then a PhD in Electronics towards her career goal to become a successful electronics engineer, and hopes to inspire more women to choose an electronics engineering career.

Angelique Montgomery, Stockton

Angelique recently began working towards an Associate Degree in Visual Communication, and a Bachelors Degree in Project Management. She earned high honors for the summer quarter. She is also attending junior college earning Early Childhood Development credits.

Angelique has a passion for working with children. She enjoys helping them learn and develop, thrive and grow. In addition to her busy academic life, she assists her working mother in taking care of her disabled father and two special needs siblings. Her ultimate goal is to own a daycare center for lower income families, to provide them with affordable, quality daycare.

Susan Montgomery, Stockton

Susan's personal goals are to be “the mother that my children need, the wife that my husband deserves, the daughter worthy of her parents' pride, and the friend that others can count on.”

She provides for her family that includes two college students and two special-needs younger children, all while working on her own degree.

She has recently returned to college, where she works as an administrative assistant to the dean. She is following in her children's footsteps, pursuing an Associate Degree in Visual Communication and a Bachelors Degree in Project Management. Her career goal is to own a graphic design business using all mediums.

Nina Nand, Salida

Nina works full time as an Office Coordinator at the Stanford Emanuel Radiation Oncology Department, while working towards a degree in Business Management. She will become the first women in her family with a college degree, and hopes this inspires other women.

She is adored by patients, and according to her co-workers, is the “heart and soul” of her department. The clinic would not run as smoothly without her organizational skills, warmth, confidence, and calm demeanor during chaos. She never loses sight of the reason for her work: the patients.

Her goal is to utilize her experience and education within the healthcare industry in patient-focused services, effecting positive changes for healthcare consumers.

Amy Richardson, Denair

Amy has a BA in Child Development, and and Adult Education Credential. She currently works closely with cancer patients in her role as Concierge at the Emanuel Cancer Center, acting as liaison between healthcare providers and cancer patients and their families, and leading support groups. She has recently completed courses in Bereavement Training and Grief Counseling at the Center for Loss and Life Transition. She plans to get her Masters Degree in Social Work.

Touched by a loss in her family to cancer, she was drawn towards a new vocation to help cancer patients and their families. This work, in turn, has inspired her even more deeply to give back to her local community in social work or grief counseling, either in private practice or with the Hospice of Emanuel.

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ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP

Selection Process