United Scholarships Awards $128,400 to 64 Yreka High Graduates at Annual Top 100 Honor Program

YREKA, Calif. — Sixty-four graduating Yreka High School students received scholarships totaling $128,400 at the 64th Annual Top 100 Honor Program held Thursday evening at the New Yreka High School Gymnasium. The ceremony, presented by United Scholarships, Inc. (USI) in partnership with the Rotary Club of Yreka and Rotary Club of Montague, celebrated both academic achievement and community investment in higher education.

The prestigious event also recognized the top 10% of the Class of 2025, who received embossed Hydro Flasks in addition to their scholarships. Students were awarded both named memorial scholarships and USI general scholarships to support their post-secondary education goals.

Local Students Choose Diverse Educational Paths

Analysis of the scholarship recipients reveals the diverse educational aspirations of Yreka High’s graduating class. College of the Siskiyous emerged as the most popular destination, with 25 students choosing to continue their education at the local community college. Shasta College attracted 9 recipients, while California State University, Chico and UC San Diego each drew 3 scholarship winners.

The students’ academic interests span a wide range of disciplines, with Business, General Education, and Nursing each attracting 4 scholarship recipients. Biology and Fire Science programs each drew 3 students, while Computer Science, Psychology, and Human Biology each appealed to 2 recipients. Other chosen fields include Theater Arts, Molecular Environmental Biology, Social Sciences, and IT Certifications, demonstrating the breadth of career paths being pursued by local graduates.

Six Decades of Educational Support

United Scholarships, Inc. was founded in 1964 by community members committed to helping Yreka High School students overcome financial barriers to higher education. This year’s awards bring the organization’s total impact to over 3,400 scholarships worth more than $4.6 million distributed since its inception.

“What started as a grassroots effort by concerned community members has grown into one of the most significant sources of educational support for our local students,” said a USI representative. The organization’s sustained commitment represents an average of more than 56 scholarships per year over its 61-year history.

Beyond High School Graduation

USI’s commitment to education extends beyond high school graduation through its Alumni Scholarship program. USI awards Alumni Scholarships each year to Yreka High School alumni furthering their education at an institution of higher learning. Last year, USI awarded $80,000 to 36 students, recognizing that educational journeys often require ongoing support beyond the initial transition to college.

Memorial Scholarships Honor Community Legacy

Many of this year’s scholarships honored the memory of community members who made lasting impacts on Yreka. Recipients received awards including the Mildred and Bud Long Memorial Scholarship, John Foster Memorial Scholarship, Barbara Collier Memorial Scholarship, and Chris Lopez Memorial Scholarship, among others. These named scholarships ensure that the legacy of community leaders continues to benefit future generations.

The ceremony highlighted several notable achievements, including Zoe Ehrlich, who received the Chris Lopez Memorial Scholarship and will attend UC Berkeley to study Molecular Environmental Biology, and Cianna Henry, who was awarded both the Mary Kearns-White Memorial Scholarship and Lori Friedman-Rainey Memorial Scholarship to support her Social Sciences studies at Boise State University.

Looking Forward

As USI enters its seventh decade of service, the organization continues to adapt to the evolving needs of students and the changing landscape of higher education. With college costs continuing to rise, the $128,400 distributed this year represents a significant investment in the community’s future workforce and leadership.

More information about USI can be found on its website: www.unitedscholarships.org.

The Top 100 Honor Program serves as both a celebration of academic achievement and a testament to what sustained community commitment can accomplish. As these 64 graduates embark on their next educational journey, they carry with them not just financial support, but the knowledge that their community believes in their potential to make a difference.

2025 USI and Community Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to the following students who have been awarded scholarships for their academic and personal achievements. These awards, including USI Scholarships, USI Grants, and other community scholarships, recognize their dedication and support their pursuit of higher education.

First, Last Names – Scholarship(s) All Received USI Scholarship – Attending School – Major

Jake Burton – Mildred and Bud Long Memorial Scholarship – Oregon State University – Business

Ari Leebolt – John Foster Memorial Scholarship – Shasta College – General Education and Welding

Madison Shepard – Barbara Collier Memorial Scholarship – Rogue Community College – Theatre Arts

Tayler Van Rheenan – Elsie and Jess DeAvilla Memorial Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – General Education

Zoe Ehrlich – Chris Lopez Memorial Scholarship – UC Berkeley – Molecular Environmental Biology

Wyatt Dean – Rodney Gregg Memorial Scholarship – Cal Bright IT Tech School – IT Certifications

Cianna Henry – Mary Kearns-White Memorial Scholarship and Lori Friedman-Rainey Memorial Scholarship – Boise State University – Social Sciences

Adrienne Luce – Vera Clement Scholarship – Shasta College – General Education

Rose Patterson – Cheryl Ames Bastow Memorial Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – General Education

Autumn Goodwin – Mick Young Memorial Scholarship – UC Santa Cruz – Environmental Science and Policy

Isabella Henry – Siskiyou Women in Business Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – Computer Science

Brenden Masson – Judge and Anna McAdams Memorial Scholarship – CSU Chico – Economics

Dylan Mylan – Harry and Florence Friedman Memorial Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – Business Administration

Damian Super – Orsola Silva Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – Nursing

Holly Johnson – LaJean and Joe Correia Memorial Scholarship – Shasta College – Psychology

Cole Clayton – Larry Perry Memorial Scholarship and Ed Harris Memorial Scholarship – Chico State – Engineering

Uvaramii Croy – Al and Helen Crebbin Memorial Scholarship – University of Oregon – Environmental Engineering

Duncan Hanon – Martha Lukes Allyn Memorial Scholarship – Willamette University – Political Science

Lorena Moser – Jess R. Grishmam Memorial Scholarship – BYU Idaho – Animal Science

Cali Muelrath – Mary Ellen McLean Bryan Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – Psychology

Ava Bridwell – Roy and Julianna Townley Memorial Scholarship and Carol Lynn Solus Memorial Scholarship – CSU Chico – Business

Jeremiah Hale – Howard and Velma Trivelpiece Memorial Scholarship – UC Santa Barbara – Financial Mathematics and Statistics

Jack Linville – Dr. Don and Dorothy Meamber Memorial Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – Biology

Saku Sekiguchi – Dr. Douglas and Cheryl Langford Scholarship and Dr. Graham Family Foundation Scholarship – UC San Diego – Human Biology

Zane Tharsing – Teresa Stidham Memorial Scholarship – UC San Diego – Biology

Emmie Freitas – Mick Grensted Memorial Scholarship and Susan Kuck Marvin Memorial Scholarship – Shasta College – Nursing

Derek Liddick – Larry Bacon Memorial Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – History

Skyler McLane – Zac Martin Memorial Scholarship – Lassen College – Computer Science

Zane Vann – John Collier Memorial Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – Business

Ryan Warfield – Rickford Fisher Memorial Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – Fire Science

Brody Zediker – Stan Coatney Memorial Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – Fire Science

Trevan Crane – Gene and Bernice Keefer Memorial Scholarship and Bill Cadola Memorial Scholarship – Shasta College – Fire Technology

Hannah Hall – Frances K. Truttman Trinca & Truttman Family Scholarship – Shasta College – Pre-Dental Hygiene

Amelia Lucido – Virginia May Girard Memorial Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – Early Childhood Education

Claire McGee – Carol Crebbin Memorial Scholarship – Grand Canyon University – English

Lucas Murieen – Gene and Bernice Keefer Memorial Scholarship and Grenada Community Club Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – Fire Science

Wyatt West – Gene and Bernice Keefer Memorial Scholarship and Andrew Pimentel Memorial Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – Law Enforcement

Stella Eastman – Dr. Doug Lawson Memorial Scholarship and Verne Smith Memorial Scholarship – Feather River Community College – Biology

Nathan Fitzpatrick – Edgar J. and Helen Foss Memorial Scholarship – Mt. Vernon Nazarene University – English

Dakota Corson – Gary P Allen Memorial Scholarship and Dennis W. Donnelly Memorial Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – Accounting

Dylan Dunlap – James and Mary Alton Memorial Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – Computer Science

David Lindler – Cheryl Ames Bastow Memorial Scholarship – Butte College – Kinesiology

Hailee Simas – Bernice Elleard Memorial Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – Psychology

Aliyah Chang – Louie Smittendorf Memorial Scholarship – Shasta College – Microbiology

Riley Collins – Domenic S. Favero, Jr. and Joan E. Favero Scholarship – College of the Sequoias – Kinesiology

Emma Garberson – Sally Andrews Memorial Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – Nursing

Ava Shackelford – Harry Edson Bryan Memorial Scholarship – Oregon Institute of Technology – Civil Engineering

Alexander Thomas – Stanley Lawrence Cramer Memorial Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – Chemistry

Jacob Campbell – Gene and Bernice Keefer Memorial Scholarship and Red and Harriet Houston Scholarship – Butte College – Welding

Austin Diggle – Bill Milne, Jr. Memorial Scholarship – UC Santa Cruz

Bailee Houston – Billy Mittan Memorial Scholarship and Homer and Emily Atchley Memorial Scholarship – UCLA – Biochemistry

Klayton Rizzardo – Kerri Solus Casey Ag Accounting Memorial Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – Business

Kevin Ross – Reid Howell Memorial Scholarship – Humboldt State University

Peyton Wood – Jiggs and Betty Kuck Memorial Scholarship and Dr. Graham Family Foundation Scholarship – Modesto Junior College – Agricultural Communications

Casey Croteau – Gene and Bernice Keefer Memorial Scholarship and Harold Ellis Foster Memorial Scholarship – Shasta College – Diesel Technology

Carli Callahan – Basil Newton Scholarship and Brian Millie Memorial Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – General Studies

Aiden Masson – Siskiyou County Cattlemen’s Association Scholarship – CSU Chico – Journalism

Logan Michels – Daniel Hunt Girdner, Jr. Memorial Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – Kinesiology and Emergency Medicine

Maddison Rennock – Louis and Mabel Wacker Memorial Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – Nursing

Matt Silva – Gene and Bernice Keefer Memorial Scholarship and Don and Christine Reed Memorial Scholarship – Butte College – General Education

Carlotta Christie – Nicki Meek Memorial Scholarship – Shasta College – Diagnostic Medical Imaging

Rachel Loftus – Nancy Newton Meiners Memorial Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – Art

Jaydon Perkins – Robert W. and Elaine G. Neill Memorial Scholarship – College of the Siskiyous – Criminal Justice

Isabella Verry – Yreka High School Class of 1973 Scholarship – Chico State – Game Development and Animation

We wish all recipients success in their educational journeys!

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