Twenty-three outstanding graduating seniors from San Joaquin County high schools have been awarded an approximate total of $72,000 in scholarships from the Friedberger Educational Fund to continue pursuing their education.
Each of the students was awarded approximately $3,130 to be paid out in installments over four years. More than $900,000 has been awarded since 2007. Since the selection of the first recipients in 1964, the Friedberger Educational Fund Scholarship has awarded more than $2.9 million to local students.
The fund was established in 1963 by William Friedberger, a prominent Stockton physician and longtime medical director at San Joaquin General Hospital. He established the fund in memory of his father and mother – Arnold and Lotta Friedberger. They were 19th-century pioneers to the Mother Lode and Stockton from their native Germany. The Bank of Stockton has been the fund manager since the scholarship was established.
Among the recipients was Escalon High School graduate Melissa Mendieta-Hernandez.
Other schools with award winners included Tracy, Lathrop, Middle College, Bear Creek, Cesar Chavez, Ripon Christian, West, Lodi, Kimball, Lincoln, Stagg, Weston Ranch, Sierra, East Union, Franklin, McNair, Manteca, Tokay, Edison, Linden, Stockton Collegiate International Schools and Health Careers Academy.
To qualify for the scholarship, nominees had to meet a list of criteria. The list included: a need for financial assistance, excellent schoolwork, outstanding character, leadership, public service, and intent to enroll in an institution of higher learning in California. Each high school in the county may nominate one applicant per year. The schools can be either public or private.
The applications were reviewed by a three-member awards committee, which included representatives of Stockton Unified School District Superintendent John Ramirez, Jr., former San Joaquin County Superintendent of Schools James A. Mousalimas, and Jeremy Silcox, committee member-at-large.
The total scholarship award for each student is $3,130.43, to be paid in four installments of $782.60.
The San Joaquin County Office of Education would like to congratulate all the 2021 Friedberger Educational Fund Scholarship awardees.
