2026 Scholarship Recipients

Loreta Carota, RESDC 2026 Merit Scholarship Recipient – $2,000.

Loreta graduated from Helix Charter HS, La Mesa, CA, with a 4.67 GPA, she is sponsored by her grandmother Connie Janzen.

Personal Statement: “I am applying to college to become an elementary school teacher. When I tell people this, they sometimes respond with surprise or mild disappointment, as if teaching young children is a small goal. But I see it differently. The adults who shaped me most were my early teachers. They taught me English when I arrived in kindergarten speaking only Dutch with a passive knowledge of English. They noticed when I was struggling and found different ways to explain things until something clicked. They made me believe I belonged in a classroom where I initially felt invisible. That kind of work changes the direction of a child’s life. It changed mine.”

Over the past several years, Loreta has been preparing for this career in ways that go beyond taking the right classes. She has taught ballet every week to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The classes included students with vastly different needs, in the process Loreta learned to plan lessons that give each person something to work toward. She tutors English Learners at Vista La Mesa Academy, which mirrors her own experience learning a new language while trying to keep up academically. Loreta completed an Education Pathway program at her HS that placed her in elementary classrooms where she could observe experienced teachers who manage thirty different learners at once. Through these experiences she learned that teaching is not about standing in front of a room and talking. It also requires watching closely, adjusting constantly, and caring about each student as an individual.

School and Community References: Loreta is not applying to college to discover her path; she already knows it. She wants to teach young children, a goal she has been preparing for most of her life. She is planning to attend a four-year university in the fall and begin the Liberal Studies program aligned with elementary teacher preparation, followed by a credential program, student teaching and a master’s degree. Loreta is extremely involved, hardworking, and a thoughtful role model and leader for other students.

Caden Hannah, RESDC 2026 Merit Scholarship Recipient – $2,000.

Caden graduated from La Costa Canyon HS, Carlsbad, CA, with a 3.88 GPA, he is sponsored by his grandfather William Trachta.

Caden’s Personal Statement: “applying for this scholarship is both an honor and a tribute to the legacy of my grandfather, who worked 26 years for the County of San Diego. He is also a Vietnam war veteran. His example instilled in me great respect for public service and showed me the impact one person can make over time. I am proud to carry forward the values he modeled for me. If I were to describe myself in three words, they would be competitive, compassionate, and loyal. These traits have guided my actions throughout high school and have shaped who I am”.

Caden’s competitive spirit was recently recognized in the SD Union Tribune, when he hit four three-pointers, including a game winner at the buzzer. This experience taught him the value of perseverance and personal growth. Compassion has been central to his involvement in Assisteens, a volunteer organization where he served as Treasurer and participated in philanthropic events across his community, including “Fill-a-Belly” program, where they prepared and distributed homemade meals to people with food insecurities. One memorable connection was with a military veteran who appreciated the chance to talk and be listened to. Loyalty defines his relationship with family, teammates, and school. He is steadfast in his commitments, whether supporting his family, excelling academically, or helping teammates succeed. Loyalty is reflected in his love for basketball, where he has assisted with youth camps and programs for students with special needs.

School and Community References: Caden stands out not only for his academic excellence, but more importantly for his genuine kindness, empathy, and leadership that truly define his character. He is an incredibly self-motivated student who demonstrates passion and heart in his approach to learning and life. Caden has been admitted to Indiana University Kelley School of Business, into their business and finance program.

James Hayes, RESDC 2026 Merit Scholarship Recipient – $2,000.

James graduated from Ann Sobrato HS, Carlsbad, CA, with a 4.41 GPA, he is sponsored by his grandfather Daniel E Kelley.

James’ Personal Statement: “Whether battling the Live Oaks Nuts, our town rivals, on the court during a Friday night game or swapping scuba regulators with three feet of visibility in freezing Monterey Bay, I am never one to quit. My first year in the DIME Dual Immersion program (exclusively Spanish teaching) had slugged me in the gut, leaving me confused and depressed. Luckily, the year came to a finish. As the mountain of tension crumbled into a hopeful summer with my family, I can remember conversations I had with my parents who told me even adults make mistakes and that this may have been one of them. I was given the choice to switch to an English classroom the next fall. Looking back, thinking about my decision, a stronger voice continued to echo in me, an emphasis in my household on “finishing what we started, with diligence.” My response to the choice was to stay where I was and to finish what I started. As my Spanish skills grew thanks to the dual immersion program, AP courses, and working towards a seal of biliteracy, so did my character”.

Water polo was an example of James’ growth. The coach (his art teacher) invited him to join the team; he decided to give it a try. Soon he found out that his recreational swimming skills were no match for the demands of this brutal sport that caught him paddling over to heave in the gutters. However, James persisted and put in the hard work. Eventually, all the pain and frustration were memories, and he became a leading scorer and team captain. The “consistent follow-through” in his decisions, has made him who he is today. His decision to stick with the dual immersion program; his decision to always stand with his family; his decision to be a Christian have built his spirit and character.

School and Community References: James has earned placement on the Superintendent’s Honor Roll every semester of high school. This accomplishment reflects not only his intelligence, but also his steady work ethic and commitment to always doing his best. This level of performance requires focus, time management, and determination. He speaks clearly about the importance of protecting marine environments and hopes to contribute meaningfully to conservation and scientific understanding. His academic discipline, combined with his passion and practical experience, makes his goal both realistic and inspiring.

Emilee Mercado, RESDC 2026 Merit Scholarship Recipient – $2,000. George Shoemaker Memorial Award.

Emilee graduated from Mira Mesa HS, San Diego, CA, with a 4.25 GPA. Emilee is recipient of the George Shoemaker Memorial award for $2,000. Born in Dec 1930, George Shoemaker was a RESDC Board member for over 30 years, after 27 years of service with SD County, he retired in 1982. George passed away in January 2022. Emilee is sponsored by her grandmother Judy Taylor.

Emilee’s Personal Statement: “for the past four years, I have invested everything I had in my school, work, family, community, academics, extracurriculars, sports, and future goals. I believe that my hard work and dedication to these commitments, along with my strong values for education prove that I deserve this award.”

Emilee has been a prominent participant in the school’s Associated Student Body (ASB), elected as Vice President her sophomore year. Also, active participant with the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF); National Honors Society; Prom Committee President; co-founder of Pickleball Club; as President of the club, she promoted the school’s open courts, where students of all skill levels are welcome to participate during lunchtime. Emilee was selected to the school’s tennis varsity team in her junior year. She played a significant role in winning a CIF Championship for the first time in school history. Emilee helped plan and run fundraisers to fund various class events. She handled promotions and all communication with vendors and service providers; her efforts resulted in over $3,000 in sponsorships for the graduating class. Through these activities, she has gained considerable organization, delegation, marketing, and public speaking skills. Emilee’s extracurricular activities include volunteering at a local elementary school, teaching to read and write; assisting the elderly in the community; volunteering at the San Diego Ice Arena, leading group classes for beginner skaters. Emilee maintained her status on the Academic and Principal’s Honor Roll all four years.

School and Community References: Emilee is committed to helping others; a positive role model to all. “The principal at a local elementary school, where Emilee volunteers, calls her, “teacher;” Emilee has given over 300 hours to our school and community.” She is interested in the world of business and is pursuing a career in marketing. She will excel in this pathway, as she has always been highly skilled in design, as well as marketing, through the work she has done for the Student Council.

Daniel Michael Vinegrad, RESDC 2026 Merit Scholarship Recipient – $2,000.

Daniel graduated from Coronado HS, Coronado, CA, with a 4.70 GPA, he is sponsored by his father David Vinegrad.

Daniel’s Personal Statement: “at home, my parents encouraged independence while holding me accountable, shaping my ability to manage responsibilities with consistency and discipline. As I grew older, balancing rigorous coursework with part-time work and leadership roles required maturity and focus. There were moments when managing advanced classes, research commitments, and community initiatives felt overwhelming, but those challenges strengthen my work ethic and reinforced a lesson my family always emphasized: meaningful opportunities are earned through sustained effort.”

Daniel’s commitment to service became deeply personal when the Tijuana River sewage crisis intensified and beaches across San Diego County closed under contamination warnings. An event that once felt like a distant policy issue became immediate and urgent. As a direct consequence, Daniel founded Coronado High School’s Stop the Sewage Club, growing it into an 80-member organization focused on clean water advocacy. Since its founding, Daniel has led letter-writing campaigns, organized beach rallies, hosted community forums and traveled to Sacramento to lobby for change with one goal in mind: protecting our coastline.

Daniel’s desire to help others is evident in his work as a high school intern at Emerald Keepers, studying environmental data systems. Also, co-managing Coronado Crops, a student-led gleaning initiative to reduce food waste. He also serves as a Surf Instructor at Blue Wave Surf Coronado, teaching ocean safety and environmental stewardship to younger students. In five to ten years, Daniel sees himself designing water infrastructure and coastal resilience systems that directly protect public health. He hopes to work at the intersection of engineering, public policy, and community engagement, ensuring that solutions are both technically sound and accessible.

School and Community References: Danny’s ability to bring people together is one of his greatest strengths. He worked with local officials and environmental organizations to raise awareness and push for solutions to the Tijuana River sewage crisis, demonstrating maturity and communication skills well beyond his years. In the Fall of 2026, he will begin studying environmental engineering at Stanford University; next critical step toward his vision for environmental advocacy in our community.

Allana Reyes, RESDC 2026 Merit Scholarship Recipient – $2,000, and the La Rue Pierce Volunteer Service Award – $1,000.

Allana graduated from Altus Schools East County HS, El Cajon, San Diego, CA, with a 4.36 GPA. Allana was awarded a $2,000 merit scholarship, and $1,000 La Rue Pierce voluntary service award. She is sponsored by her grandmother Lourdes Ramirez Reyes.

Allana’s Personal Statement: “As a high school senior at Altus Schools East County in a dual enrollment program at Grossmont College, Allana has developed a passion for medication research and development. She is fascinated by the natural world; from getting the first microscope to joining the BE WISE program to pursuing a career in Biology, her passion has been lifelong. As soon as she was able to answer the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?”; her answer, “scientist.” However, it was only through her own experiences and the help from her mentors that this passion was directed towards the world of medicine”.

Allana’s community service includes, BE WISE member since 2021; Teen Science Café Leader since 2025; the Jacobs & Cushman SD Food Bank 5-hours/week, since 2025; SD Blood Bank 4-hours/week, since 2025; the Animal Pad volunteer, 2-hours/month since 2025; Girls Who Lead externship, 30-hours/one week; private caregiver 5-hours/week, since 2020. Her altruistic nature allows her to connect with the community and understand their needs and strengthens her passion for helping others.

School and Community references: Allana revealed herself as a diligent, hardworking, and respectful learner. Able to work independently and maintain strong grades in all assigned coursework over the past 4 years, and she tries to engage in insightful discussions that show her desire to learn and understand content more deeply. Allana is planning to attend a 4-year university to study cellular and molecular biology to gain further experience with research, in order to secure a future career in medication development. □