This scholarship honors Colonel Robert Dingeman and his legacy of volunteerism as well as his belief in the value of education. The scholarship is open to Scripps Ranch High School seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a history of outstanding community volunteer service in the tradition of Col. Dingeman. The award is $3,000, presented to one student. A unique aspect of this award is the check is made out to the recipient who will decide how to apply it to college expenses. The check is presented at awards night in the spring.

To be considered for the scholarship, students must write a cover letter including their contact information, current classes, GPA and contact information for an adult (not parent) who is familiar with their volunteer work. This should accompany a one-page essay on why they are an exceptional community volunteer. The cover letter and essay need to be submitted by e-mail to the committee, [email protected] and [email protected] by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17. All applicants will be interviewed on campus. The counseling office will notify the applicants of the day and time. The principal will announce the recipients. An announcement will also be made in the SRCA Newsletter.

Previous scholarship recipients shared how this award made an impact on them:

“As a student at UC Santa Barbara, I have found myself in a community that strives to serve and protect our ocean and community. Receiving the Dingeman Scholarship pushed me to take my mental health activism to a larger scale. It led me to become an executive member of Mindful Mentors– a club that teaches wellness lessons to elementary schools throughout Santa Barbara County. The scholarship enabled me to further believe in my goals and values, and I encourage others to apply as well!” – Jaiden Wick

“I am so honored to be the recipient of the 2023-2024 Dingeman scholarship. I plan to continue focusing on volunteer service in the fall at the University of Washington in Seattle. The community service that I began in Scripps Ranch provides an excellent foundation to address the needs of underserved communities in Seattle and the surrounding areas.” – Savannah Shuman