Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools Susan Salcido awarded $5,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors who served this year as members of the Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools Student Advisory Council, made up of high schoolers from across the county who convene to discuss and advise on topics affecting students, schools and communities.

Throughout the 2023-24 school year, Salcido convened the Council quarterly to gauge their insights on topics such as school safety, campus culture, mental health, attendance, chronic absenteeism, screentime, social media, academics, career pathways, volunteerism, and general attitudes and perceptions students have about school, teaching and learning.

The council recently met for its final meeting of the year. During the session, Salcido surprised students with the announcement that eight graduating seniors will share a $5,000 scholarship, stemming from her distinguished recognition as the recipient of ACSA’s 2023 Marcus Foster Memorial Award for Administrator Excellence.

The award is granted each year to one administrator in the state who most personifies the ideals of Marcus Foster, the trailblazing educator who ushered in an era of innovation for Oakland students in the 1970s. Winners of the award receive a $5,000 scholarship, to be awarded to a high school senior or seniors of their choosing.

Scholarship recipients are:

Student Advisory Council member Jesse Jimenez of Righetti High School shared that he is heading to Stanford University this fall. “This scholarship is coming just in time. My family and I really appreciate this.”

Jesse has served on the council for two years. He said the experience has opened his eyes to new points of view. “It’s been amazing to hear what other students from other high schools have going on at their campuses … what challenges they are facing and trying to solve, like ways to get more students involved and participating at school so they feel part of things.”