Maddock receives After-the-Fires Scholarship

SAN DIEGO — Angela Maddock, a Fallbrook High School senior, was one of 16 area students awarded Gwen Stefani After-the-Fires Scholarships at the San Diego Foundation’s 10th annual Scholarships Awards Ceremony on May 17 at the University of San Diego’s Shiley Theatre.

This new scholarship fund stands out for its heartfelt response to the tragic losses caused by the wildfires that devastated San Diego County last October.

Entertainer Gwen Stefani donated $165,000 in proceeds from her October 30, 2007, San Diego concert to The San Diego Foundation Fire Relief Fund. As a result, the Gwen Stefani After-the-Fires Scholarship fund was created for high school seniors and college students who lost their homes and/or sources of income during the disaster.

“When the fires happened and we decided to donate the San Diego show proceeds to charity, it felt good to know that I could help in some way,” said Stefani, who surprised the crowd by personally presenting the scholarships to the recipients. “To be able to meet these kids and see that the scholarships are having such an impact on their future is very rewarding. It was an exciting day.”

The scholarship recipients come from all backgrounds with a variety of academic aspirations, yet they share the bond of losing everything in the October fires. These students will be able to continue with their educational pursuits thanks to the financial assistance they receive from the scholarship.

The San Diego Foundation continues to offer the scholarships for fire victims and the application deadline has been extended to June 30 to allow more students the opportunity to apply for scholarship assistance. The application form is available at http://www.sdfoundation.org.