LAKE COUNTY— A KHS FFA member and a Scotts Valley 4-Her were awarded scholarships recently. Usually presented at the Jr. Livestock Awards event held at the Lake County Fair, this year’s pandemic made for a less public “reveal” of the Paul and Otha Alexander Memorial Scholarship recipients.
The $500 winner, Eduardo Sepulveda, has been an active FFA member for four years. A 2020 graduate of KHS, Eduardo has been highly involved in his community. He has served as president of his FFA chapter, played golf, boxed, and raised market livestock. A graduate of the California Cadet Academy, a K-Corps member (Search and Rescue), a Lake Co. Sheriff Explorer, and an honor roll student, all experiences which shaped Eduardo’s plans to study Criminal Justice at Sacramento State University in the near future.
First runner up, Jaron Mertle, who was awarded $300 is a 2020 graduate of Clear Lake High School and long time member of the Scotts Valley 4-H Club (13 years). He is a scholarship, sportsman, and athlete. He enjoys hunting and fishing and basketball. Jaron’s goal is to pursue a degree in engineering at UC Merced where he was recruited to play basketball.
Both young men expressed appreciation for the opportunities they had in school and youth organizations by growing up in a rural close knit community. “Both young men possess the kind of character, leadership, and community involvement this scholarship is meant to recognize,” commented Peggy Alexander, Coordinator of the Paul and Otha Alexander Memorial Scholarship. This year marks the 21st year of scholarship awards to local graduates.
