Don Diego Scholarship winners celebrate at the 2012 Don Diego Gala, with Don Diego Board Vice Chairman Jon Liss; 2012 scholarship recipients RaeAnne van Tol, Kirby Challman, Kendall Lynch and Meredith Lehmann, and Don Diego Board Chairman Paul Ecke III. Courtesy photo

DEL MAR — The Don Diego Scholarship Foundation is offering four $5,000 college scholarships to outstanding high school seniors throughout San Diego County who have participated in the San Diego County Fair and/or other activities associated with the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The deadline to apply is April 1, 2013.Eligibility requirements and the application form are at dondiegofund.org/files/pdf/2013DonDiegoScholarshipApplication.pdf. Applications can be completed online or in print. For questions, contact Executive Director Chana Mannen at [email protected] or (858) 792-4210.

In 2013, the foundation will award one $5,000 scholarship in each of the following categories: 1) 4-H member; 2) Future Farmers of America (FFA) member; 3) employee at the Fair, Racetrack or Fairgrounds; and 4) exhibitor at the Fair.

Over the years, scholarships have gone to students across the county, from Fallbrook and Escondido to Alpine and El Cajon; from Carlsbad and Encinitas. Recipients like 2003 recipient Alysha Stehly, who co-owns Vesper Vineyards in Valley Center, often return to the region to make a difference in their community and the scholarship enables them to pursue their college and career dreams.

The Foundation was named after Tom Hernandez, who served as the Fair’s goodwill ambassador from 1947-1984. Funds are raised through an annual gala, the Amigo Club which offers entrance to year-round Fairgrounds events for just $99, and donations. For more information, visit dondiegofund.org.

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