Each year, CASA of Santa Cruz County is honored to support young people striving to build bright and promising futures. Our 2024 CASA Scholarship recipients have all experienced the foster care or juvenile justice systems, yet their resilience, determination, and ambition continue to shine.
A CASA Scholarship provides more than just financial assistance—it is a statement of belief in their potential and a reminder that they are not alone in their journey. Whether pursuing college, vocational training, or other educational opportunities, these remarkable students are taking bold steps toward their goals, and we are proud to celebrate their achievements.
We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to the generous donors who make these scholarships possible. Their support empowers these young adults to continue their education and move forward with confidence.
The following are the inspiring stories of our 2024 CASA Scholarship recipients:
Paul Hopper Memorial Scholarship - 4 Awards
A formerly incarcerated teen recently re-integrated into the community. CASA supported him in securing housing, employment, and community connections. He is currently taking general education courses at Cabrillo College, using this scholarship to help ease financial burdens as he builds a stable future.
A currently incarcerated 16-year-old who is highly motivated to change his life’s trajectory. He has already graduated high school and is taking online college courses, with plans to transfer to a four-year college upon release. Pursuing a business degree, he hopes to start his own company and be a role model for his community. He expressed deep gratitude to the donors, saying, “Every small act of kindness has a ripple effect, and this will cause a great ripple effect.”
A renewal recipient who previously received the Paul Hopper Memorial Scholarship and is now excelling at San Francisco State University. Academically thriving with a 3.9 GPA, she recently switched her major to Biology with a minor in Criminal Justice. She shared, “Endlessly grateful that this scholarship helped me pay for rent.”
A new recipient who grew up in foster care, experienced over 30 placements, battled substance use disorder, homelessness, and incarceration. Now six years sober, she is taking classes full-time at Cabrillo College, working toward becoming a radiology technician with a 3.75 GPA. Her recommender described her as someone who “converts pain into hope.”
The Zachary Parrish Memorial Scholarship – 5 Awards
A former foster youth who endured countless placements and is now pursuing a degree in Criminal Studies at Cabrillo College while working full-time as a nanny. Her resilience and optimism shine as she builds a promising future.
A former foster youth with a family history of substance use disorder who has broken the cycle. Now a CASA volunteer and working as a substance use disorder counselor, she is studying at Cabrillo and hopes to transfer to UCSC to open a youth inpatient treatment center in the county.
A foster youth who has been in care since age six and took on significant responsibility for her four younger siblings. She is studying business and accounting at Cabrillo, with aspirations to transfer to a four-year university.
A former foster youth who continues to pursue a better life despite setbacks. She remains dedicated to her education and is currently taking general education classes at Cabrillo College.
A former foster youth who entered care at age three and later faced homelessness as a single mother. Now a student and staff member at Cabrillo College, she works as a counselor for system-involved high school students and hopes to transfer to UC Berkeley to study Social Welfare.
Bill McCabe Memorial Scholarship - 1 Award
A renewal recipient who was first awarded the Bill McCabe Memorial Scholarship in 2023 and continues her academic journey at Cal State Fullerton. As a first-generation college student, she is determined to earn her degree to set an example for her siblings. She shared that the scholarship “helped ease a portion of costs and allowed me to cover textbooks, school supplies, and a part of my tuition.” In 2024, she plans to use it to purchase textbooks and invest in a better technology device to support her studies.
OSI Engineering Scholarship – 2 Awards
A former foster youth from Watsonville, raised by extended family, is in his third term of a digital marketing pre-apprenticeship program at Long Beach City College. Despite setbacks he is determined to earn a business degree. He also actively advocates for foster youth with local elected officials.
A recent high school graduate who entered foster care at a young age and was later adopted by her single grandmother. She is currently earning a Medical Assistant Certificate through Santa Cruz County Adult Education as her first step toward a career in medicine.
These inspiring students exemplify the strength and perseverance that CASA aims to uplift. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, they have the opportunity to pursue their dreams and build successful futures.
Congratulations to our 2024 CASA Scholarship recipients! We can’t wait to see all that you accomplish.
