Rotary announces scholarships

The 2026 Mariposa Yosemite Rotary Club scholarship winners were recognized during the organization’s monthly meeting on May 21 at Miner’s Roadhouse.

Out of 23 applicants, six graduating seniors from Mariposa County High School were awarded the scholarship.

Recipients include Hailey Watson, Kelsea Coder, Sophia Forga, Tania Marquez-Rojas, Xavier Dacanay and Astrid Golden-Selting.

After high school, Watson plans to study Biology at the University of Utah travel abroad to Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. While at MCHS, Watson played basketball, volleyball and participated in FFA. Along with the Mariposa Yosemite Rotary Memorial Scholarship, Watson received the Mariposa Aces Scholarship. Watson is also a valedictorian this year.

Coder earned valedictorian honors and will be attending Swarthmore College to major in Visual Arts. During her high school career, Coder participated in soccer, track and was involved in Drama Club, French Club, Rotary Interact Club and the California Scholarship Federation. Along with the Mariposa Yosemite Rotary Memorial Scholarship, Coder has received the Brian Moczygemba Memorial Scholarship, the Sierra Tel Scholarship, the Hornitos Patrons Club Scholarship, the Kim Evans Scholarship, the Mariposa Democrats Education Award Scholarship and the Gene Turner Memorial Scholarship.

Forga plans on attending CSU Monterey Bay to major in Psychology. During her time at MCHS, Forga participated in wrestling and was involved in the French Club. Along with the Mariposa Yosemite Rotary Memorial Scholarship, Forga has been awarded the JC Fremont Hospital Foundation Scholarship and the Mariposa Democrats Education Award Scholarship.

Marquez-Rojas is a valedictorian this year and will be attending the University of San Francisco to study Community Health with aspirations to then attend medical school. During high school, she played soccer, flag football and participated in track, Art Club and French Club. Along with the Mariposa Yosemite Rotary Memorial Scholarship, Marquez-Rojas has received the Mariposa County High School Alumni Association Scholarship and the Mariposa Lions Club Scholarship.

After graduation, Dacanay will be attending UCLA to major in the field of Music. During high school, Dacanay played basketball and was involved in French Club, Rotary Interact Club and Spanish Club. Besides the Mariposa Yosemite Rotary Memorial Scholarship, he has been awarded the Mariposa County Board of Realtors Scholarship, the Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce Scholarship, the Mariposa Lions Club Scholarship, the Cousin Jack Music Foundation Scholarship and the Mariposa Community Chorus Scholarship. Dacanay has also earned valedictorian honors this year.

Golden-Selting is a valedictorian who plans to attend UC Santa Barbara to major in Psychology with a minor in Child Development. Golden-Selting participated in softball and was also involved in the French Club. Along with the Mariposa Yosemite Rotary Memorial Scholarship, she has received the DL Weiland Construction Scholarship and the JC Fremont Hospital Foundation Scholarship.

Through memorial funds, local donations and fundraisers, Mariposa Yosemite Rotary Club is able to provide financial support to graduating MCHS seniors pursuing post-secondary education.

Over the last two decades, the club has awarded over 100 scholarships totaling nearly $400,000.

The funds for these awards are raised through local events, including the Rotary Club of Mariposa Yosemite Scholarship Golf Tournament and the Art, Wine & Wheels festival, as well as parking services during the Butterfly Festival and the Mariposa County Fair.

For more information about the Mariposa Yosemite Rotary Club, visit www.mariposayosemiterotary.org