Redwood Times

Sanctuary Forest is proud to announce the winners of its 2008 Scholarship Program. Ryan Brown, Michael Radenbaugh, Cassandra Walker, and Ryan Clark will each receive a $1,000 scholarship to help them with college expenses. The scholarships are given to local high school seniors in recognition of their demonstrated commitment to environmental protection. Sanctuary Forest scholarships are generously funded by the business community, the John Dimmick family, and Sanctuary Forest donors.

The business community has sustained its support of the next generation of environmental leaders with two Business Community Scholarships. This year’s sponsors are: Alternative Energy Engineering; Dr. Roy Baker, O.D. and Janice Parakilas; Blue Canoe; Liz and Kent Colwell; Douglas A. Ingold, Attorney at Law; Matarozzi-Pelsinger Builders; Redway Liquors; Les Scher, Attorney at Law; John Schmidt, Trillium Physical Therapy; The Hemp Connection; Jim and Barbara Truitt, Truitt Construction; Chautauqua Natural Foods; and Thrifty Supply.

The winners of the Business Community Scholarships are Michael Radenbaugh of South Fork High School and Ryan Brown of Fortuna High School. The co-president of his school’s Earth Club,

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Michael’s senior project was a homemade solar thermal water heating system for his family’s home. Currently he is building an electric tractor for the Southern Humboldt Community Park. It does not seem surprising, given these recent endeavors, that Michael has chosen Environmental Resource Engineering as his major at Humboldt State University. President of the Fortuna Creeks Project at FHS, Ryan actively participated in creek clean-up, tree planting, and water monitoring. He will pursue a degree in energy resources engineering at California State University at Long Beach.

The Dimmick Scholarship honors the compatible goals of sustainable forestry and environmental protection. It is awarded to Cassandra Walker. This year Cassandra launched the First Annual Arcata High School Earth Week, with students making pledges to improve the environment in attainable, practical ways. An active and energetic leader, she also has participated in numerous school activities and was both cheerleading captain and the Associated Student Body Secretary. All the while, Cassandra made a very strong academic showing. After graduating from CalPoly State University, she intends to either be an environmental lawyer or to merchandise environmentally friendly products.

Sanctuary Forest donors support the Rondal Snodgrass Scholarship, which commemorates Snodgrass’ many years of service as the founding Executive Director of Sanctuary Forest. This year’s recipient is Ryan Clark, who will enter Humboldt State University in the fall. A resident of the Mattole Valley and a graduate of Triple Junction High School, he has worked on the ground for years with restoration groups in the Mattole. He has planted trees, cleaned beaches, and prepared salmon for release. Ryan’s past record proves how deeply he cares about an environment that he promises to always protect.

Through the generosity of John Dimmick, the local business community and our donors, Sanctuary Forest has awarded over $32,000 in scholarships to local students over the last decade. Many Sanctuary Forest Scholarship winners have gone on to work in environmental fields and continue to contribute our community. If you would like to help support the next generation of environmental leaders, please contact Sanctuary Forest about sponsoring one of our scholarships at 707-986-1087 or lynda@sanctuary.org.