Students net $120,000 from community

In another annual show of nearly unfathomable altruism, the mountain community united to gift more than $120,000 in scholarship awards to seniors graduating from Yosemite High School in the Class of 2026.

Home of the Badgers, Yosemite High is helmed by Principal Jessica Fairbanks in the district led by Superintendent Brian Beck. The generous gathering took place on Tuesday, May 12, in the theater building on campus.

“The Community Awards is an incredible night!” said Fairbanks.

“I am completely blown away by the energy and talent of these amazing students — they really are the stars of the show. But what makes it even more special is seeing this wonderful community show up so big to support them. The generosity in the room was just awesome and it’s a beautiful reminder of what we can do when we all come together.”

Award sponsors and recipients are as follows:

• Barbara Branch Memorial: Mikaila Ruiz

• Barry Bartlett Service Award: Michael Hernandez Castillo

• Bass Lake Chamber of Commerce: Wyatt Lopez

• Bass Lake Lions Club: Gabriela Martinez Solis, Thomas Hu, Daisy Camacho, Ezekiel Peterson, Logan Peugh, Joslyn Fairbanks, Alyssa Misa, Avah Garza, Lucas McGoldrick, Riley Roussell and Madeline Townsend.

• Billy Vukovich III Memorial: Jayce Miller, Kailyn Kem, Alexa Gallegos, Veronica Orozco, Tianna Starner, Aiden Greathouse, Evelyn Desanders, Daisy Camacho and Lysje VanDeWal.

• Billy Vukovich III Memorial/Auto: Wyatt Lopez

• Brendan Gillaspy Memorial: Delaney Franklin and Wyatt Lopez

• Billy Cudd Memorial: John Dudley and Chase Baldwin

• Chawanakee Education Foundation – North Fork Endowment: Ryley Flaming, Wyatt Lopez and Chance Cruger-Vance.

• CHP Oakhurst Senior Volunteer Program 456: Riley Roussell

• Chowchilla Western Stampede: Wyatt Bryson and Ryler Fairbanks

• Coarsegold Chamber of Commerce: Zoe Tringali and Mikaila Ruiz

• Coarsegold Elementary School PTO: Mikaila Ruiz, Lily Hendricks and Daisy Camacho

• Coarsegold Gold Prospector’s Association: John Dudley

• Eakin Peirsol Memorial Award: Lily Hendricks, Alyssa Misa, Daisy Camacho and Mikaila Ruiz

• Emadco: Madeline Townsend

• Gerald A. Smith Memorial: Lysje VanDeWal and Evelyn DeSanders

• Golden Chain Theatre – MaryLou Finley Memorial Performing Arts Award: Allyson Ferbrache, Olivia Auston, Makenzie Sconce, Alison Shockley, Lysje VanDeWal and Madeline Townsend

• Jamison, Chappel & Beaumont: Chance Cruger-Vance

• Ladies of the Lakes: Sophie Flanagan, Alyssa Misa, Zoe Tringali, Gwen Farrell and Ezekial Peterson

• Madera County Retired Teachers Association: Allyson Ferbrache

• Madera County Cattlewomen’s Association: Wyatt Bryson and Ryler Fairbanks

• Madera Quarry Scholarship: Wyatt Bryson and Makenzie Verrastro

• Marine Corps League – Eugene Griswald Scholarship: Alyssa Misa

• North Fork Women’s Club: Kaydynn Ellis

• Oak Creek Intermediate School: Wyatt Lopez and Allyson Ferbrache

• Oakhurst Democratic Club – Eleanor Roosevelt Service Award: Madeline Townsend, Lily Hendricks and Tiana Starner

• Oakhurst Elementary School: Logan Peugh, Allyson Ferbrache and Tiana Starner

• Oakhurst Sierra Rotary Club (Noon): Lucas McGoldrick, Allyson Ferbrache, Toni DeVito, Riley Roussell, Ryler Fairbanks, Sophie Flanagan, Makenzie Sconce and Wyatt Lopez

• Oakhurst Sunrise Rotary: Allyson Ferbrache, Lucas McGoldrick, Lily Hendricks and Riley Roussell

• Recycle Award: Alison Shockley

• River Creek Golf Course: Brady Olson

• Rodney Peter DDS: Mikaila Ruiz and Delaney Franklin

• Roger Mercier Memorial: Tiana Starner and Wyatt Bryson

• Sierra Ambulance – Cathy Kern Memorial: John Dudley and Chance Cruger-Vance

• Sierra Lions Achievement Award: Aiden Greathouse, Ryley Flaming, Lily Hendricks and Gabriela Martinez-Solis

• Sierra Oakhurst Kiwanis Club: Brady Olson

• Sierra Tel: Toni DeVito, Alyssa Misa and Ezekiel Peterson

• Soroptimist International of the Sierras: Madeline Townsend, Alison Shockley and Lily Hendricks

• Swortzel Trust: Erika Sanchez

• Tavis Corporation: Thomas Hu

• VFW Post 8743: Alison Shockley

• Vision Academy of the Arts: Madeline Townsend

• Wasuma Elementary School: Brady Olson and Ryler Fairbanks

• Wilma Ely Memorial: Erika Sanchez and Wyatt Bryson

• Yosemite Badger Youth Football & Cheer: Gwen Farrell and Lucas McGoldrick

• Yosemite Baseball Boosters: Brady Olson

• Yosemite Unified CSEA Chapter 698: Kylie Garcia and Alyssa Misa

• Yosemite Vista Volleyball Club Scholarship: Toni DeVito, Alyssa Misa and Zoe Tringali

• Yosemite Youth Basketball Association: Lucas McGoldrick, Kaydynn Ellis, Gwen Farrell and Sierra Brooks

• Yosemite Ag FFA Boosters: John Dudley, Makayla Ortiz, Ryler Fairbanks and Wyatt Bryson

For more on Yosemite High School and Yosemite Unified School District, visit www.yosemiteusd.com or phone (559) 683-8801.