Alondra Zarate, Gabbi Rangel, Fatima Orozco; not pictured, Luna Ramirez Solano. Courtesy photo.
CENTRAL COAST — People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) has awarded four students with the John Fowler Scholarship Award: Alondra Zarate of Isla Vista, Gabbi Rangel and Luna Ramirez Solano of Goleta, and Fatima Orozco of Guadalupe.
The John Fowler Scholarship, named in recognition of former President & CEO of PSHH, was created to support PSHH students in their pursuit of higher education, vocational training, or trade schools. Since 2020, multiple $1,000 scholarships have been awarded each year to high school seniors who demonstrate a commitment to bettering their community, a strong motivation for excellence, and planned enrollment in a degree or certificate program. Each applicant displayed academic excellence in various ways through essay responses, report cards, their involvement in extracurricular activities, and support of their community, to include caring for family members.
As to what is next for these four students, Alondra will be pursuing a degree in fashion at the Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles to “bring more flare and joy to the world”, she says. Gabbi will be starting nursing school, specializing in infirm newborn care as an homage to her premature sisters; Luna will be following in her older sister’s footsteps in pursuit of a medical degree at Chapman University in Orange in the hopes of someday becoming a physician’s assistant; and Fatima is making her way across the country to attend Berea College in Kentucky to study health and behavioral studies with a dream to land a career in the medical field.
“Congratulations to these four bright and compassionate scholars!”, said Kris Reid, PSHH Director of Education. “I have no doubt their talents and passions will go on to make this world a more beautiful and healthy place and wish them nothing but success as they continue their educational journey.”
PSHH’s Education Program serves over 400 students per year at its onsite learning centers which are located across three counties. As evidenced by standardized test scores, the curriculum significantly improves math and literacy skills and accompanies students on the path of lifelong learning. The program also helps prepare college-bound students with application assistance, financial aid navigation, career exploration workshops, campus visits, and mentorship.
To learn more or to financially support the Education program, please visit pshhc.org/education.
About People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH)
Founded in 1970, PSHH is the longest-serving nonprofit affordable housing organization on the Central Coast. With a mission of building homes and providing services to strengthen communities and change lives, PSHH serves low-income households, families, seniors, veterans, farmworkers, those living with disabilities and the formerly homeless. It also provides homeownership opportunities through a self-help “sweat equity” program that has seen over 1,200 homes successfully completed. PSHH has a presence in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura and Monterey counties, manages over 2,000 rental units, and employs over 250 team members. PSHH acknowledges the Indigenous Peoples and unceded territories that our organization now occupies. We recognize the YTT Northern Chumash, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash, Barbeño/Ventureño Band of Mission Indians, Cruzeño Chumash, and Salinan elders, current and future generations as the protectors of these lands. To read the full land acknowledgement, visit pshhc.org/IDEA. For more information about the organization, visit pshhc.org.