Don Diego Scholarship Foundation offers 12 sizable scholarships in 2014 - Application deadline April 1

DEL MAR - Beginning in 2014, 12 exceptional high school seniors will embark on college careers supported by sizable scholarships from Don Diego Scholarship Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the San Diego County Fair.

In past years, four recipients were selected. Together, this year’s dozen will enjoy $39,000 in funding, an increase of nearly 60 percent compared with $25,000 in funding in 2013 and nearly 100 percent over 2012 and past years.

In the new plan, three scholarships – $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000 – will be awarded in each of four categories: 4-H, FFA, Fair Employee and Fair Exhibitor. One of the four $5,000 recipients, deemed most outstanding by the judging committee, will also receive the $5,000 Spanjian Family Scholarship, for a total $10,000 award. This endowment scholarship, created in 2013, honors Don Diego founder Robert Spanjian, who has served as secretary-treasurer since the Foundation’s inception in 1986.

The Don Diego college scholarships are offered 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. Eligibility requirements and the application form are at http://www.dondiegoscholarship.org/scholarships. Those interested in becoming a donor to the scholarship fund can find information at that same site.

Questions may be directed to executive director Chana Mannen at [email protected] or phone (858) 792-4210.