Scholarships for Local Students Attending Pre-College Programs

BISHOP, CA — Eight standout local students have been awarded scholarships to participate in the 2026  Pre-College Program. Supported by $20,000 in community funding, these scholars will head to UCLA, UC Berkeley, and UC San Diego this summer to gain hands-on experience in high-level academic fields and get a head start on the university experience.

The scholarship initiative originally saw a strong response with 17 initial applications. While the program aimed to support as many students as possible, the final funding was strategically redistributed to eight dedicated participants following changes in student availability. This redistribution has allowed the program to significantly lessen the financial barrier for the remaining cohort, providing robust support for their academic journeys and ensuring cost is not a factor in pursuing these higher education opportunities.

Immersive Academic Exploration at Top-Tier Campuses

The Summer Springboard program is a rigorous two-week summer intensive held at Universities across the globe. This program focuses on California university campuses of each student’s choice. This year’s scholars will join driven peers for a “deep dive” into their specific fields:

• At UC Berkeley, one student will tackle the complexities of Engineering, while another will gain hands-on experience in Trial Law.
• At UCLA, two students will explore the intersection of Psychology & Neuroscience, and two will immerse themselves in Filmmaking.
• At UC San Diego, one student will dive into the world of Business & Entrepreneurship.

These immersive programs serve as a vital bridge to higher learning, connecting with the mission of the Eastern Sierra Foundation, enhancing community through higher education. These eight students get to explore their professional passions and increase self-awareness before they ever set foot on a college campus as full-time undergraduates.

A Legacy of Community Support

The $20,000 scholarship fund is the result of a collaborative effort between major regional partners. The Eastern Sierra Foundation contributed $15,000, providing the foundational support necessary to make this opportunity a reality for the Bishop community.

The Edison International Foundation stepped up with a $5,000 contribution, specifically emphasizing the importance of STEM exposure. By supporting students in tracks like Engineering and Neuroscience, Edison’s contribution ensures that local talent has direct access to world-class university environments and the technical training required for the workforce of tomorrow. Perhaps more foundations will contribute before they embark on this educational ride.

Voices of Success

The impact of these scholarships is best described by the students who have experienced the program’s intensity firsthand. A participant from the program’s pilot year reflected on the profound shift from the classroom to the real world:

“The experience was unforgettable—one moment we were debating intelligent peers from around the world, and the next we were in a real courtroom witnessing a murder trial. When the gunshots from the evidence video thundered through the room, we almost jumped out of our seats. It was an intense, eye-opening deep dive into the law that I’ll remember for years. Finding a community of students who care so deeply about academics was truly refreshing and life-changing.”

From left to right: Malia Ruiz, Sara Cardelas, Abby Rivera, Kylie James, Ali Rainville, Hazel Hays, Julie Faber (ESF President), Matthew Paruolo (SCE Government Relations Manager), Augie Warburton, Liam Livingston