SOLEDAD — Two students from South Monterey County are among the 11 recipients who were awarded 2023 College Arts Scholarships from the Arts Council for Monterey County (Arts4MC).
The $2,500 scholarships are given to graduating high school seniors in Monterey County who are pursuing a higher learning degree in the arts. Rocelin Tinajero from Soledad High School and Hannah Ettinger from King City High School each received the scholarship this year.
Tinajero, a first-generation college student, plans to attend California State University Long Beach to study interior design.
“As a first-generation student, I have always had the goal of graduating from a four-year university,” said Tinajero, adding that the “financial portion of college is very stressful, and thankfully this scholarship will relieve some of that financial stress.”
“This scholarship will also allow me to get involved around my school while focusing on my studies,” she continued. “Thank you again for this opportunity. I look forward to showing off my accomplishments over the next few years.”
Ettinger, who will be attending San Jose State University in the fall, plans to major in music education.
“This scholarship will be helpful toward not just paying my tuition fees and housing costs, but also giving me more opportunities to focus on my major, and so I am grateful to receive this arts college scholarship,” Ettinger said.
The other nine 2023 College Arts Scholarships recipients are: Bianca Castro from Salinas High School, Taylan Dincer from Carmel High School, Madeleine Gill from York School, Fernanda Hernandez Mena from North Salinas High School, Nadia Ivanova from Monterey High School, Cassandra Lopez-Warren from Seaside High School, Gerard Marnell from Carmel High School, Arturo Ordaz-Gutierrez from North Salinas High School and Leonardo Tovar from Rancho San Juan High School.
After graduation, these grants enable Monterey County youth to realize their aspirations and contribute to the local creative community and rich artistic history.
According to Jacquie Atchison, Arts4MC executive director, career options in creative professions are expanding and diversifying, ranging from design (graphic design, architecture) to digital arts (filmmaking, game design, photography), literature to performing arts, and visual arts (including crafts like pottery).
“The Arts Council is so proud to provide this funding to these students to fulfill their goal of a higher education degree in a creative field,” Atchison said. “We hope they return to Monterey County after completing their education to build their art business and support our local community.”
