PRHS Seniors Earn Nearly $1 Million in Scholarships and Education Benefits
Seventy members of the Paso Robles High School Class of 2026 were recognized Wednesday evening during the school's annual Scholarship Awards Night, earning a combined $976,548 in scholarships and education benefits to support their futures after graduation.
The total includes $358,800 in scholarships awarded by local organizations, businesses, foundations, memorial funds, and community groups, as well as $617,748 in Montgomery GI Bill education benefits awarded to three graduating seniors pursuing military service and higher education.
Among the evening's largest contributors was The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, which awarded $80,450 in scholarships to Paso Robles High School seniors.
The annual Scholarship Awards Night celebrates students who have distinguished themselves through academic achievement, leadership, community involvement, perseverance, career readiness, and service. Scholarship recipients were selected by sponsoring organizations based on criteria aligned with each award's unique mission and purpose.
"Scholarship Awards Night is one of the most meaningful celebrations of the year because it highlights both the accomplishments of our students and the remarkable generosity of our community," said Paso Robles High School Principal Michael Susank. "Every scholarship represents someone who believes in these students and wants to help them pursue their goals. We are incredibly grateful to the many organizations and individuals who continue to invest in the future of our graduates."
The scholarships and education benefits awarded this year were made possible through the generosity of the following organizations, businesses, foundations, memorial funds, and community partners:
AgWest Farm Credit
Alan D. Stephenson Memorial Scholarship
American Association of University Women – Academic
American Association of University Women – AVID
Bearcats in Business
Bitti and Brynn Foundation – Miles of Smiles
Buck-Moyer Family
Burt W. and Virginia Polin ELKS Bureau Scholarship
California Association of Winegrape Growers
California School Employees Association Chapter 254
Chiado Trust Scholarship
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County
David B. Gianas Memorial Scholarship
El Pollo Loco / SONIC
Helen and Ronald Dunin Legacy Scholarship
John and Barbara Wolcott Memorial Scholarship
John S. Renner Memorial Scholarship
Jose Mora Memorial
Karina Almaguer Memorial
Kristin Smart Scholarship
Linda Klintworth
Lions Club – Ole Viborg
Mike Bland and Michele Tucker Memorial
Montgomery GI Bill Education Benefits
Paso Robles Housing Authority
Paso Robles Pickleball – Dick Beiden Health and Wellness
Paso Robles Public Educators
Paso Robles Republican Women Federated
Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance
PRHS Band Backers – Courter Family Memorial
PRHS FFA Boosters
Reese Lewis Memorial
Richard J. Weyhrich Leadership Scholarship
Richard M. Fisher Memorial Scholarship
Rotary Club of Paso Robles
San Miguel Chamber Car Show
Sanora G. Anderson Memorial
Santa Lucia Rockhounds
Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara
SkillsUSA Chapter 211
Stansbury Family Attendance Scholarship
St. William's Youth Leadership Scholarship
Success Charities
Travel Paso
U.S. Military Scholarships
Vineyard Team – Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship
William F. Stroud Jr. Scholarship
Yinghsia Shih Li Memorial Scholarship
Zorn Blythe Aviation Scholarship
Paso Robles High School extends its sincere appreciation to each donor, sponsor, and organization whose generosity helps make higher education, career training, and military service opportunities more accessible for local students.
About Paso Robles Joint Unified School District
Paso Robles Joint Unified School District serves more than 6,400 students across northern San Luis Obispo County. Guided by its core values of integrity, accountability, collaboration, innovation, compassion, and belonging, PRJUSD is committed to providing a safe, supportive environment where every student feels valued, empowered, and prepared to thrive.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Paso Robles Joint Unified School District
Melissa Godsey
Public Information Officer
Scholarship Night Photos Courtesy of PRHS Student Photographer Keely Smith.