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Employee Scholarship Fund

The mission of the Desert Scholarship Foundation is to administer and manage scholarship programs to facilitate more opportunities for neighbors to better themselves through education. The Desert Scholarship Foundation manages The Lakes Employee Scholarship Fund.

What Can the Membership Do?

The Lakes Employee Scholarship Fund has awarded 84 scholarships totaling $351,000 since 2018, helping employees and their families pursue their educational goals. Each year, the program continues to make a meaningful difference by providing deserving recipients with financial support as they work toward their educational goals.

Scholarships are awarded as last-dollar funding, meaning recipients use all other available financial aid first. Applicants must maintain a strong GPA, and eligibility is reviewed annually so every qualified applicant has an opportunity to benefit. The fund is professionally managed and administered by the Desert Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Support the Annual Household Contribution

Beginning each March, a $100 annual contribution per household will appear on member statements. This voluntary contribution is expected to generate more than $90,000 each year, creating a strong and sustainable foundation for the scholarship program.

Members may opt out if they choose. Those who already contribute monthly will be contacted by Sheila to discuss whether they would like to amend their current contribution.

Make an Additional Donation

Members who would like to give more may make an additional one-time or monthly contribution. It is easy to add a recurring donation to your monthly statement.

Email Sheila at [email protected] to get started.

Participate in Scholarship Events

Support the fund while enjoying several exciting events throughout the season, including:

  • Thanksgiving weekend putting contest

  • Professionally run bingo events

  • Golf cart drawing at the Closing Party

  • Additional seasonal fundraising activities

Members may also volunteer, sponsor an event, support the golf cart drawing, or bring new fundraising ideas to the Scholarship Committee.

Become a Scholarship Ambassador

Help spread the word that scholarship opportunities are available to eligible Lakes employees and their families. Encouraging qualified applicants and sharing information about the program can make a meaningful difference.

See Your Support in Action

Visit the Lakes Scholarship website and watch the inspiring videos featuring scholarship recipients. Their stories and accomplishments are a wonderful reminder that your generosity is truly making a difference.

Together, we can continue providing meaningful educational opportunities for Lakes employees and their families for years to come.

2026 - 2027 Awards

Alma Diaz de Leon - University of California Los Angeles
Public Health | Alma O'Connor
Watch Alma's Video

Devyn Castellanos - Azusa Pacific University
Psychology | Cesar Castellanos

Samantha Sierra - College of the Desert
Nursing | Adriana Sierra

Andrew Dominguez-Cruz - CA State University San Bernardino
Biology | Employee

Isai Dominguez - CA State Polytechnic University Humboldt
Mechanical Engineering | Employee

Jeremy Dominguez - CA State University San Bernardino
Criminal Justice | Employee

Gilbert Rodriguez - CA State University San Marcos
Kinesiology | Joshua Teran

Veronica Barcelo - College of the Desert
Photography | Joshua Teran

Fernando Gutierrez - University of CA Riverside
Cinematography | Erika Trejo

Abigail Briggs - University of Montana
Anthropology | Matthew Briggs

Jazmin Meza - CA State University San Bernardino
Spanish | Employee

Angel Acevedo - SUNY College of Technology at Delhi
Accounting | John Schmid

Jaelyn McDermott - CA State University San Marcos
Speech Linguistics | Lindsay McDermott

Channing Benjamin - Riverside City College
Music Education | Claudia Benjamin

Matthew Williams - CA State University San Bernardino
Communications | Employee

Alondra Barrios-Navarro, CSUDH Long Beach
Child Development | Tomas Garcia

Angel Acevedo, SUNY Farmingdale
Criminal Justice | John Schmid

Fernando Gutierrez, UN Riverside
Cinematography and Film | Erika Trejo

Annika Phipps, UC Irvine
Criminology | Ron Phipps

Gilbert Rodriguez, Cal State San Marcos
Kinesiology | Joshua Teran

Devyn Castellanos, Azusa Pacific University
Psychology | Cesar Castellanos

Jaelyn McDermott, CA State University San Marcos
Speech Linguistics | Lindsay McDermott

Veronica Barcelo, College of the Desert
Photography | Joshua Teran

Kirsten Phipps, CA State University Fullerton
Accounting | Ron Phipps

Joshua Teran, College of the Desert
Agricultural Management | Employee of The Lakes
Alondra Barrios-Navarro, CSUDH Long Beach
Child Development | Tomas Garcia

Angel Acevedo, SUNY Farmingdale
Criminal Justice | John Schmid

Fernando Gutierrez, UN Riverside
Film | Erika Trejo

Mia Ley, Cal Poly
Sociology | Cynthia Ley

Rosalie Nieto, West Coast UN Ontario
Nursing | Charles Nieto

Annika Phipps, UC Irvine
Aerospace Engineering | Ron Phipps

Ulises Ramirez, University of St. Katherine
Biology | Sabino Ramirez

Marcos Rodriguez, Contractor State License School
Business | Ricardo Rodriguez

Gilbert Rodriguez, Cal State San Marcos
Kinesiology | Joshua Teran

Desiree Rodriguez, UC Los Angeles
Sociology | Joshua Teran

Malia Sanchez, Oregon State
Veterinarian Preregs | John McCarthy

Adan Valencia-Ibarra, Cal State San Bernardino
History | Employee of the Lakes
Angel Acevedo, Farmingdale State College
Criminal Justice | Parent, Jack Schmid

Christian Gonzalez, College of the Desert
Health Science | Parent, Angel Gonzalez

Mia Ley, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Sociology | Parent, Cynthia Ley

Paolo Medina, Foothill College
Social Media Marketing | Parent, Pastor Medina

Rosalie Nieto, West Coast University - Ontario
Nursing | Spouse, Charlie Nieto

Zaid Pulido, College of the Desert
Engineering | Parent, Susi Pulido

Ulises Ramirez, University of Saint Katherine
Science | Parent, Daniel Ramirez

Malia Sanchez, California State University - Chico
Animal Sciences | Parent, John McCarthy, PGA

Cristian Valdez, California State University - Northridge
Mechanical Engineering | Parent, Jose Valdez

Luis Valdez, California State University - Northridge
Civil Engineering | Parent, Jose Valdez

John Wadlund, Arizona State University
Mechanical Engineering | Parent, Eric Wadlund, WCEC, CEC

Kati Zavala, University of California, Riverside
Spanish | Jose Zavala

Esteffania Bautista, California State University San Marcos
Liberal Arts | Parent, Jim Schmid

Jeremy Chaloux, California State University, San Bernardino
Computer Engineering | Parent, Todd Chaloux, CCAM

Ilene Gonzalez, Chico State University, Redding
Child Development | Parent, Gabriel Gonzalez

Karina Jacquez, California State University, San Bernardino
Major Psychology | Parent, Epitacio Jacquez

Mia Ley, Cal Poly Pomona
Sociology | Parent, Cynthia Ley

Sydney Pike, Grand Canyon University
Nursing | Parent, Leslie Pike

Malia Sanchez, California State University, Chico
Animal Science | Parent, John McCarthy

Cristian Valdez, California State University, Northridge
Mechanical Engineering | Parent, Jose Valdez

Adan Valencia-Ibarra, College of the Desert
Agribusiness Management | Employee

John Wadlund, Arizona State University
Engineering | Parent, Eric Wadlund, CEC, WCEC

Kati Zavala, College of the Desert
Spanish | Parent, Jose Zavala

Esteffania Bautista, Cal State University San Marcos
Liberal Arts | Parent, Jim Schmid

Ilene Gonzalez, Chico State University
Child Development | Parent, Gabriel Gonzalez

Karina Jacquez, Cal State University San Bernardino
Psychology | Parent, Epitacio Jacquez

Mia Ley, Cal Poly University Pomona
Sociology | Parent, Cynthia Ley

Logan Markson, Cal Poly State University San Luis Obispo
Computer Science | Parent, Bill Markson

Paolo Medina, Cal State University San Bernardino
Accounting | Parent, Pastor Medina

Izeah Miramontes, College of the Desert
ABE | Parent, Maggie Miramontes

Sydney Pike, Grand Canyon University
Nursing | Parent, Leslie Pike

Federico Pulido, College of the Desert
Business Marketing | Parent, Susi Pulido

Malia Sanchez, Cal State University Chico
Animal Science | Parent, John McCarthy

Luis Valdez, Cal State University Northridge
Civil Engineer | Parent, Jose Valdez

Esteffania Bautista, California State University San Marcos
Chemistry | Parent, Jim Schmid

Nicholas Benjamin, College of the Desert
Fire Technology/Paramedic | Parent, Leslie Pike

Angela Goldstein, Moreno Valley College
Dental Hygiene | Spouse, David Goldstein

Ilene Gonzalez, Chico State University, Redding
Child Development | Parent, Gabriel Gonzalez

Logan Markson, Cal Poly State University San Luis Obispo
Computer Science | Parent, Bill Markson

Paolo Medina, Cal State University San Bernardino
Accounting | Parent, Pastor Medina

Morgan Benjamin, College of the Desert
Nursing | Parent, Leslie Pike

Ilene Gonzalez, Chico State University
Child Development | Parent, Gabriel Gonzalez

Gabriela Olivas, College of the Desert
Studio Arts | Parent, Karina Olivas

Jordan Markson, Cal Poly State University Pomona
Animal Science | Parent, Bill Markson

Gabriela Roque, Cal State University San Bernardino
Criminal Justice | Employee

Christian Rozpedski, University of Saint Katherine
Kinesiology & Biology | Parent, Marcin Rozpedski