DIXON, CA (MPG) - Forty-one different clubs, organizations, businesses, and individuals came together to award thousands of dollars to college-bound graduates this past week. The Dixon High School Community Scholarships Ceremony was emceed by Dixon High students, Lucas De Dora and MacKenzie West, in a packed school theater filled with students and their supportive friends and families.

But, students were not the only ones being rewarded. Parents of students who passed albeit in tragic accidents or illness, as well as family members of deceased teachers or deceased members of the community were there to memorialize their beloved ones through this act of benevolence.

Jake and Molly McNeil were the first to honor their son, Murphy, who was barely a teen when he died in Dixon. Their $1,000 memorial scholarship went to Connor Brown who plans to attend Universal Technical Institute in the Fall and plans to become a diesel mechanic.

Colleen and Jim Schneider, who lost their 17-year-old son, Jacob, in a tragic accident two years ago, set up their scholarship program to memorialize their son’s love of the outdoors. In 2020, the Jacob Cole Schneider Family Foundation gave out numerous scholarships and again this year, calling some 30 students to the stage.

Other scholarships given in memory of a loved one were: Frank E. Koehler Vocational Memorial; Jose L. Gutierrez Memorial; Katie Grave Anderson Memorial; Laura Emma Meyer Scholarship; Malcom Timm Memorial; Angus Madden Memorial, Muriel M. Morris Educational Fund; Rosemarie Vinneys Memorial; Shawn Tutt Memorial; and the Sheri Dannenberg Memorial.

Most of the scholarship providers gave out one award but there were numerous who doled out two or more. A total of 60 students received them that night.

They were: A Heart Enriched by Service; Alumni of Tremont; American Legion Auxiliary; American Legion Post 208; Angus Madden Memorial; Barbara Iten Memorial; Dixon Chamber of Commerce; Dixon Dolphins Swim Team; Dixon High Music Boosters; Kiwanis Club; Lions Club; Dixon Montessori School; Quarterback Club; Rotary; Dixon Soccer Club; Dixon Teachers Association; Dixon Women’s Improvement Club; DuPratt Ford; First Northern Bank; Friends of the Public Library; Montezuma Lodge 172 & Bud’s Pub & Grill; Soroptimist International; TEAM Dixon, Yolo Masonic Lodge; and Tully Group STEM.

There were approximately 140 scholarships worth more than $70,000 awarded with several students nabbing several scholarships each. The Community Scholarship Program is coordinated by the high school’s counseling office.