2026 Richard J. Weyhrich Leadership Award Recipients

Katherine Nicholson, Templeton High School

Leadership Characteristics: Passionate – Dedicated – Curious

Katherine hopes to attend UCLA, UCSB, or UC Berkeley and major in Biology/Medicine. She is the Varsity Track and Field, Captain; participates in Varsity Volleyball; Varsity Basketball; Varsity Cross Country; Environmental Club, President; Always on Trend, Founder and President; Society of Women’s Engineering; Associated Student Body, Class Secretary. Katherine does community service because she wants to make a positive impact on her community. She especially loves working with youth and enjoys volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club and the Paso Robles Youth Arts. In her words: “Helping kids enjoy their childhood and create memories that shape how they navigate through life will improve the future of where I live in every possible way. My passions have helped me grow as an individual and allowed me to form deeper connections with those I serve and serve with.” One of her teachers offers these words describing Katherine’s character: “Kate is an absolute delight. Her smile can brighten a room. Her hard work and cheerful attitude are welcome additions to any class, club, team, or workplace. She is a true student athlete, she works, she volunteers, she wins awards, she cheers loudly from the student section, and she inspires people to join her on her journey.

 

Jared Aguilera, Nipomo High School

Leadership Characteristics: Outgoing– Takes Initiative- Responsible

Jared hopes to attend University of Santa Cruz, University of San Diego or St. Mary’s University, and major in Biology with plans to become a pediatrician. He is ASB Senior Class Vice President, Founder and Leader of AVID College Fair Outreach Program for 5th and 6th graders, Key Club Vice President, CSF President, AVID Vice President, Titan Excellence Coalition, National Honor Society, Varsity Water Polo, Varsity Volleyball, Sports Medicine Club, Key Club, Vice Pres., Link Crew. He is also the Be Strong Life Club President, and participates in the Physicians’ Mentorship Program.

He believes in the importance of being there for others, making a positive impact on the community and uplifting others. He sees leadership as service, recognizing a need and taking responsibility to address it. Jared wears his passion and compassion on his sleeve. He is authentic, humble, self-motivated and kind. The struggles he experienced learning English as a child inspired his incredible determination and sense of duty to help lift others up. He serves in a leadership role in almost all his many activities and understands the impact of mentorship and collaboration. Jared’s AVID teacher says Jared has a natural ability to lead through empathy and service at a level that is exceptional for a high school student. Jared truly sees his success tied to the success of his community. He has a spot in his heart for people who may feel unheard, as he did as a young student learning English. His drive and compassion will serve him well as a pediatrician.

Click here to read more about the Richard J. Weyhrich Leadership Award recipients.

2026 Julian Crocker Community Scholarship, Veronica Fegley

Veronica attends Cuesta College and is pursuing an associate’s degree in Automotive Technology and Advanced Engine Performance.

“I was in the automotive program at Arroyo Grande High School and when I got the opportunity two years ago to work in an automotive repair shop I jumped on it. This gave me the opportunity to recognize the great career I had in front of me and I decided it was time to go back to school and pursue an AA in
automotive while still working full time.

Since I started working at Miller’s 76 Smog and Repair (as well as one of the last few remaining full
service gas stations) in May of 2024 I have advanced from a service writer to the service manager. As of
last June I am officially a licensed smog technician and as of January I passed my state exam for my California repair license. My next short term goal is to obtain my California safety inspector license, then I will have obtained all possible state automotive licenses.

One thing about me is that I am always trying to be better and do better. My long term goals include transitioning into being a high school career technical education teacher in automotive and working with passionate students like my high school auto teacher did with me. Like I mentioned, I work full time and this scholarship gives me leeway to leave work early and take classes.”

2022 Alfred I., Catherine J. and Elanor G. Switzer Scholarship, Nick Gray

“I am entering my third year at Northeastern University Boston campus! I am now studying environmental and sustainability sciences with a concentration in environment and society. I have integrated into Boston culture in many ways, it feels great to share them because I often forget how much I have learned since coming here. I take the T (train) almost every day, I attend Red Sox games, and spend a lot of my free time exploring the many neighborhoods that Boston has to offer. 

My studies have furthered my passion for the environment and sustainability. I have received a great education so far from acclaimed professors that are involved in sustainability work beyond the borders of campus, Massachusetts, and even globally. Currently, I am on co-op (a 6 month long internship that is part of Northeastern’s curriculum) at an environmental non-profit in Cambridge, MA called Green Cambridge. I am about halfway through and it has been a pleasure learning how to work in an office space as well as practice hands-on sustainability work within a community.

I also just moved to Boston’s iconic North End, which is home to Little Italy. I moved in with two of my closest friends which has been a lifesaver! In the dorms over the last two years, I was not close with my roommates which, to me, sometimes felt like a piece missing from my college experience. Now that I am close with my roommates, and have my own room in an apartment that I pay rent for, it feels so different coming home. The North End has iconic Italian food, culture, and some of the world’s most famous pastries such as Mike’s cannoli’s. 

Going to school in a place so far away has been an amazing experience. Of course I miss my friends and family from home very deeply, but I have learned and grown so much in the last two years and for that I am so grateful. I am so grateful to the Community Foundation for believing in me and my accomplishments!“

 

2023 The Towru Kobara Scholarship Fund, Kian Rafian

“Looking back on my first semester, I’m most grateful for the variety of experiences and opportunities. I owe my exciting and balanced first semester in large part to the Towru Kobara Scholarship, which provided and continues to provide me the financial stability to explore extracurriculars that interest me, as well as the motivation to excel academically and positively impact the community around me.

With my goal to pursue a career in renewable energy, beyond my gen eds, I elected to take an upper-division energy systems course. This course reinvigorated my passion and commitment to the environment and our climate. With the help of the Towru Kobara Scholarship, I was also able to

join and spend 20 hours a week working on the UC Berkeley Solar Vehicle Team. In my spare time, I enjoyed rock climbing, swimming, and friends. Thanks to this scholarship, I was able to immerse myself in my academic and extracurricular activities, earning a 4.0 and also being elected to be the next battery subteam lead for Berkeley Solar Car starting my sophomore year.

I am sincerely honored to be a recipient of this scholarship and I’m committed to making the most of it!”