SRHSF Scholarships (Multiple Named Funds)

SRHSF Scholarships

Purpose: The Santa Rosa High School Foundation administers multiple memorial and named scholarships established by families and friends to support graduating seniors pursuing post-secondary education.

Geographic Scope: Santa Rosa High School (Santa Rosa, CA)

Selection Process: Each year through collaborative effort, recipients are chosen and honored at the Senior Awards' Program at the end of the school year.

Available Named Scholarships:

The James Fleck Scholarship

• Amount: Approximately 22 scholarships awarded annually (varies based on investment income)
• Eligibility: Graduating seniors nominated by eleven departments at SRHS
• Requirements: College-bound students
• Background: Established from a bequest exceeding $2 million from James Fleck (SRHS Class of 1946); income generated from investment distributed to qualifying students

The Robert Clell McKinney Scholarship Fund

• Eligibility: College-bound, graduating senior
• Focus: Fine Arts (drawing, painting, and/or sculpture)
• Background: Honors Robert Clell McKinney, North Coast modernist painter and sculptor

The Bruce Mecchi Memorial Scholarship Fund

• Eligibility: Graduating senior pursuing Public Service careers
• Focus Areas: Fire Technology (first consideration), Administration of Justice, Emergency Medical Care Academies
• Background: Honors Bruce Mecchi (SRHS Class of 1968, age 18), who died in a forest fire
• Requirement: Must attend Santa Rosa Junior College

The Jerry Poncia Memorial Scholarship Fund

• Eligibility: Graduating senior
• Focus: Alternates yearly between instrumental music and agriculture
• Background: Honors Jerry Poncia, beloved SRHS counselor known for accordion playing and interest in Sonoma County agriculture

The Berta Wiggins Golf Scholarship Fund

• Eligibility: Graduating senior girl
• Requirements: Member of SRHS Golf Team; passion for golf
• Background: Honors Berta Wiggins (SRHS Class of 1955), accomplished golfer

The Lisa Nilsen Scholarship Fund

• Eligibility: Agriculture student
• Requirements: Active in program, academically talented, program completer
• Background: Honors Lisa K. Nilsen, Ag Booster and Advisory member instrumental in vineyard and farm development

The Jack Kellar "Lucky Jade" Scholarship Fund

• Eligibility: Graduating senior
• Requirements: Continuing education in music at 2- or 4-year college/university or music conservatory; no GPA requirement
• Background: Honors Jack J. Kellar (SRHS Class of 1939), who enjoyed music classes and played in dance band

The Lorenzo Solis Scholarship Fund

• Eligibility: Deserving student
• Requirements: Demonstrated passion for Santa Rosa High School
• Background: Honors Lorenzo Solis, respected head custodian; perpetual scholarship created by retired SRHS staff

The Emmett O'Neill Scholarship Fund

• Eligibility: Graduating senior in Social Science Department
• Requirements: High GPA, demonstrated campus and community leadership, demonstrated broad range of interests in world affairs, intent to pursue social science major in college
• Background: Honors Emmett O'Neil (retired 1999), renowned social studies instructor and developer of Asian Studies curriculum

Henry and Doris Matteri Agriculture Scholarship

• Amount: Two scholarships per year
• Eligibility: Graduating seniors
• Requirements: Enrollment in agriculture program at SRJC; commitment to agriculture-related career; financial need considered; academic standing not required
• Background: Honors Henry Matteri (SRHS Class of 1951) and Doris Ferrari Matteri (SRHS Class of 1950), dairy farmers for 4 decades

Gary Rasche Memorial Shop Scholarship

• Amount: Six (6) scholarships annually (two each from Metal, Wood, and Auto shops)
• Eligibility: Graduating senior shop student
• Requirements: One of the following: (1) Post-secondary education for trade/technical career, (2) Technical or vocational school, (3) Public or private program/training for trade/technical career
• Background: Honors Gary Rasche (SRHS Class of 1961); bequest of $1,000,000 for wood, auto, and metal shops

Peter Slusser Debate and Agriculture Scholarships

• Amount: Two scholarships (one per field)
• Eligibility: Graduating seniors
• Focus: One from Debate Program, one from Agriculture Program
• Requirements: Planning to attend 2- or 4-year college/university; financial need can be consideration but not requirement
• Background: Honors Peter Slusser's interests in debate and agriculture

Cristian Valencia Figueroa Memorial Scholarship

• Eligibility: Graduating senior
• Focus: Boys' soccer or basketball team
• Requirements: Minimum 2.0 GPA, demonstrated love for the game, planning enrollment in post-secondary program (trade school, JC, University)
• Background: Honors Cristian Valencia Figueroa (SRHS Class of 2016, age 22), established by family and friends

Patrick Gallagher Artquest Scholarship

• Amount: One or two scholarships (majority decision by active ArtQuest teachers)
• Eligibility: Graduating student from ArtQuest Program
• Requirements: Pursuing post-secondary education in visual arts; financial need highly considered; quality of work, talent, and commitment to visual arts career evaluated
• Background: Honors Patrick Gallagher, SRHS teacher for 35 years and founding member of ArtQuest

Betty Jean Gong Business Scholarship

• Amount: One scholarship
• Eligibility: Graduating senior
• Requirements: Enrollment in 2- or 4-year accredited college/university; promising pathway to business-related career; financial need major consideration; scholastic standing not necessarily required
• Background: Honors Betty Jean Gong, founder of G&G Supermarkets landmark in Santa Rosa

Paul Huntzinger Scholarship (Class of 1963)

• Amount: Three scholarships per year
• Eligibility: First-generation college student
• Requirements: Full-time enrollment in post-secondary program/institution
• Background: Paul Huntzinger donated $20,302 in summer 2023 with additional funds bringing corpus to over $60,000; designed to help first-generation students access higher education opportunities

Marie Hindringer Kelly Memorial Scholarship (Class of 1957)

• Amount: Four to six scholarships annually (determined by Scholarship Committee)
• Eligibility: Graduating student
• Focus: Arts-oriented student (music, dancing, drama, art)
• Background: Honors Marie Kelly (SRHS Class of 1957), Miss Sonoma County 1960, runner-up to Miss California 1961; established through large donation reflecting importance of SRHS in her life

Chuck Kracker Scholarship

• Amount: One scholarship per year
• Eligibility: Graduating senior
• Focus: Career Technical Education, vocational and skilled labor careers
• Background: Honors Chuck Kracker (SRHS Class of 1975), FFA member, self-made businessman in trucking and agriculture industry

Sandra Husby Spencer Memorial Scholarship

• Amount: Multiple scholarships per year (specific number not stated)
• Eligibility: Graduating senior
• Requirements: Hardworking, dedicated students with educational or vocational goals after high school; passion for SRHS and school spirit
• Background: Sandra worked as paralegal into her 80s and donated $326,000 at passing; funds split between Panther Project Fund and scholarships

Contact Information:

Email: scholarship@srhsf.org

For establishment inquiries: Monica Baldenegro or Kristine Erken

- mbgrockssrhs@gmail.com
- kerken@srcs.k12.ca.us

Phone: (707) 571-7747

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 11006, Santa Rosa, CA 95406