Johnny Ritchey Scholarship Program

The Johnny Ritchey Scholarship Program supports first-generation, underserved high school seniors in San Diego County with resources to help them reach college. The program was expanded in January 2023 to provide up to 10 scholarships.

Geographic Scope: San Diego County, California

Focus Areas:

• Support for first-generation college students
• Assistance for underserved high school seniors
• Students who have overcome significant personal adversities

Eligibility:

• First-generation, underserved high school seniors in San Diego County
• Students who have encountered and overcome significant personal adversities
• Students demonstrating grit, determination, and courage in pursuit of higher education
• Pre-screened students affiliated with Reality Changers of San Diego (primary nomination source)

Award Details:

• Up to 10 scholarships available
• $10,000 per scholarship ($2,500 annually over four years)

Program Partners:

• California Masonic Foundation (administering organization)
• San Diego Padres Foundation
• Reality Changers of San Diego

Background: The program honors Johnny Ritchey, a trailblazing baseball player described as the "Jackie Robinson of the West Coast" who broke the color barrier in the Pacific Coast League in 1948. Ritchey played for the San Diego Padres as a catcher in 1948 and 1949.

Contact Information:

• California Masonic Foundation
• Website: masonicfoundation.org
• Grand Lodge of California: (415) 776-7000
• Email: memberservices@freemason.org

Application Process

1. Nomination: Reality Changers of San Diego nominates pre-screened students affiliated with their organization to apply
2. Online Application Submission:
   • Applications collected exclusively online
   • Previous deadline: Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at 4pm PST (note: this was a past deadline; current deadline information not provided in available materials)
3. Review and Selection:
   • Selection committee reviews all applications
   • Finalists are invited to participate in interviews with representatives of the Padres Foundation and local members of the Masons of California
4. Award Announcement:
   • All chosen recipients attend an on-field pregame ceremony at Petco Park to be announced publicly

Required Materials:

• Application form (submitted online)
• Evidence of overcoming personal adversities
• Information demonstrating first-generation student status
• Demonstration of college readiness and commitment

Contact for Current Application Information:

• Reality Changers of San Diego (nominating organization)
• California Masonic Foundation: masonicfoundation.org