The Three Valleys Community Foundation (3VCF) is now taking applications for the David Yandell Award Service Scholarship, which will provide $10,000 to an Amador Valley High School student who displays exceptional service and leadership in the school community.
According to a foundation press statement, the nonprofit collaborated with Amador to design the new scholarship, which will be presented to a student for the first time this year, beginning with the 2024 graduating class.
“It is exciting to work directly with community members to help them realize their philanthropic goals and channel funds toward worthy causes,” Three Valleys CEO Kelly Bowers said in October, when the creation of the scholarship was first announced. “As a former Superintendent of Schools, I can’t think of a better investment than furthering the education of our next generation.”
The scholarship will be applied immediately to the students’ higher education expenses, such as tuition and other fees.
According to Bowers, the scholarship is offered to all graduating Amador seniors, with preference given to those who can demonstrate financial need and those whose parents or guardians have worked in education.
The application window will close at 5 p.m. on May 10.
The scholarship and award are named after David Yandell, a retired but highly respected counselor and teacher at Amador who worked at the school for many years until retiring in 1997.
“While at Amador … I valued the opportunity to work with students to open the doors to their future,” Yandell said in the press release. “The most important skill for them to learn was how to deal with a changing world. And now, having been retired for over 20 years, I am honored and touched to have this award and scholarship for students who have shown outstanding service to their school and community.”
According to the foundation, a senior service award was established several years ago in Yandell’s honor but now thanks to his youngest son, Keith, the award will now include that $10,000 scholarship.
“As the son of an educator, I value and appreciate the sacrifice and contribution of public educators and the importance of educational opportunity beyond high school,” Keith — who is also an Amador alum — said in the press release. “This is my way of honoring my father and his legacy as well as giving back to Amador, which has given my family so much.”
Amador Principal Jonathan Fey also expressed his enthusiasm for the new scholarship in the press release and said the school was pleased to partner with Three Valleys to provide this opportunity for students.
“I am inspired by David’s legacy and Keith’s benevolence and I am confident others will be too,” Bowers said. “Looking ahead, it is my sincere hope this is the first of many legacy scholarships that 3VCF will host and support.”
