by Christy Crespin, Scholarship Committee Chair
On behalf of the CCB Scholarship Committee members, a hearty congratulation goes out to this year's winners for the academic school year 2017-2018. This year six applicants were awarded scholarships in the amount of $15000 from the CCB and Active Blind, Inc. from Los Angeles, CA. We appreciate the late Anthony G. Mannino, past president of CCB [1966 to 1974], and the Catalano family who hold the funds in trust through Active Blind, Inc.
Mia Carius, age 26, from Lemoore, CA, has earned her bachelor of social work degree and is obtaining her master's degree from California State University, Fresno in clinical rehabilitation counseling and mental health counseling, toward her goal of working in the field of vocational rehabilitation counseling.
Cheng Xiong, age 19, from Fresno, CA, is a freshman at Clovis Community College. His primary goal is to become an assistive technology instructor for people who are blind; his secondary goal is to continue his education to work as a vocational rehabilitation counselor.
Rostom Dadian, age 27, from Glendale, CA, transferred into California State University, Los Angeles. His goals are to work in the business sector, designing websites, educating the public through inspirational speaking, and to possibly further his education to earn his juris doctorate.
Chad Deuschle, age 37, from Perris, CA, transferred to California State University, San Bernardino majoring in administration in human services management. He works and attends university, and continues to adapt to a relatively new visual impairment. His goal is to continue working in the field of hotel management.
Adrian Hermosillo, age 19, from Yucaipa, CA, is a sophomore at Crafton Hills College majoring in business administration. His goal is to continue his education at California State University, San Bernardino, majoring in business administration. He would like to work in a management or leadership role in a nonprofit agency and believes a degree in business administration will assist in forming a broad prospective that will allow the nonprofit agency to provide viable and healthy services.
Lorise Diamond, age 50, from Bonita, CA, attends San Diego State University. She received a bachelor degree in communication with an emphasis on rhetoric with double minors in sociology and honors interdisciplinary studies. She is relatively new to her visual impairment, and has worked as a performer and in the field of nursing. She has received scholarships from the American Council of the Blind, has attended the ACB Leadership Institute, and has numerous community involvements. She is pursuing a master's degree in communication from San Diego State University and is working toward a goal of writing grants, proposals, and appeals for companies or as a freelance entrepreneur.
The 2018-2019 CCB Scholarship Application will be available via the CCB website on February 1 through May 15, 2018. We encourage residents of California, regardless of school attending, to apply.
I would like to thank the Scholarship committee members: Robert Wendt, Rob Turner, Leslie Thom, Guillermo Robles, Linda Porelle, Steve Fort, and Nelly Emerson for a great job and productive year.
