California State University, Stanislaus honored this year’s recipients of the Mary Stuart Rogers Scholarship, including 11 undergraduate students and 6 teaching credential students at a luncheon held on campus last Friday. The group was recognized for their outstanding academic performance, dedication to personal growth and desire to serve others.
More than 500 students — known as Rogers Scholars — have received the scholarship since its inception in 1991. The program awards scholarships of $3,000 to undergraduates and $3,500 to students in teaching credential programs at Stanislaus State.
This year’s group of Rogers Scholars includes many who have overcome significant challenges in making it to college and while pursuing their degrees.
- Prince Carnecer grew up in the Philippines as one of five children being raised by a single father, and he learned early on the value of education as a way out of poverty. He recently finished his first semester in the nursing program and is aiming for a bachelor’s degree in nursing with the career goal of becoming a nurse. In the meantime, he has volunteered in homeless shelters and at Emanuel Medical Center and the Salvation Army.
- Bonnie McLafferty had the advantage of learning at a relatively early age that she wanted to be an elementary school teacher, catching the bug in high school while volunteering at a local school. But for McLafferty, who suffers from impairments due to autism, the road has been longer than most. She attended Modesto Junior College for four years and has been at Stanislaus State for three, graduating magna cum laude in liberal studies in 2013. She currently is student teaching and is enrolled in the multiple subject credential program.
- Sofia Martinez comes from a culture of farmworkers and credits her parents for allowing her to leave home to attend Stanislaus State for the purpose of earning a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. She intends on returning to her community to research and develop ways for farmworkers to maintain their health, and she is working on a study of the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome among pea-pickers.
“I have dreamt of graduating from college for a long time, and after finishing my degree this year I will be one step closer to my dream occupation,” Martinez said. “I am thankful for the opportunity to challenge myself academically and to volunteer in my community. All of this would not be possible without the Mary Stuart Rogers Foundation and their belief in my ability and dreams.”
Friday’s luncheon included an introduction by Stanislaus State President Joseph F. Sheley and was attended by donor John Rogers. Since being founded by the late Mary Stuart Rogers, the scholarship program has awarded more than $2.9 million to Stanislaus State students. The Rogers family and the Mary Stuart Rogers Foundation have been strong supporters of Stanislaus State over the years, with gifts that funded the Mary Stuart Rogers Educational Services Gateway Building and the John Stuart Rogers Faculty Development Center, where the Rogers Scholars luncheon was held.
This year’s undergraduate recipients are: Prince Carnecer, Stockton; Christopher Casey, Escalon; Laura Cortez, Hughson; Julie Eitelgeorge, Riverbank; Bibiana Garcia, Stockton; Venus Lopez, Modesto; Sofia Martinez, Turlock; Jose Paredes, Oakdale; Cristal Tadeo, Woodlake; Jeannie Tran, Stockton; and Christine Valenti, Turlock.
Recipients from the teaching credential program include: Melissa Imberi, Merced; Rebecca Long, Patterson; Denise “Jo” Marengo, Stockton; Bonnie McLafferty, Ceres; Evelyn Miramontes, Stockton; and Chris Robertson, Atwater.
