Sheriff's Office Announces 2013 'Queen of the Festival' Scholarships

The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office is already gearing up for the North Fair Oaks (NFO) Community Festival this year in August, and this week, representatives announced the festival's seventh annual scholarship program for girls.

The "Queen of the Festival" scholarship program benefits young women from the county, and supports them in pursuing higher education. The program promotes community service and is open to high school senior women who will be attending college.

Four high school seniors will compete for the Queen title and a $10,000 scholarship. The total amount of scholarships awarded is $22,000. 

The scholarship program is part of the Sheriff's Youth Program Fund and is held in conjunction with this year's 12th annual North Fair Oaks Community Festival, to take place on Aug. 25. The festival is a multicultural event sponsored by the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Greg Munks. Sheriff Munks welcomes the community to enjoy a day of free live entertainment, arts and crafts, food and beverages, children's rides and activities, and a festive parade.

"We are proud to sponsor university scholarships for young women in our community," Sheriff Munks said this week. "The Queen of the Festival scholarship program inspires young people of all ages to aspire to higher education and provides positive role models. It is a tremendous effort by the entire community." 

The top scholarship award is $10,000 for the queen. In addition, one princess will receive a $6,000 scholarship, one princess will receive a $4,000 scholarship, and one princess will receive a $2,000 scholarship.

Applicants must either live or attend school in San Mateo County; be university-bound with excellent academic and community service credentials; and must submit a community involvement essay.

Applicants are evaluated at a live interview, and four finalists are selected by a committee comprised of community leaders.

The deadline for scholarship applications is Friday, April 5, 2013 at 5 p.m.

Applications and more information can be found online at www.northfairoaksfestival.org.

The scholarship's rules and guidelines, as well as the official 2013 application, are attached to this article as downloadable PDF documents in the photos section. See them above.

The reigning 2012 Queen, Janice Bonello (Summit Preparatory High School, Class of 2012; California State University of Monterey Bay, 2016), will be assisting in outreach for the Queen of the Festival Scholarship program. She is available for interviews and appearances.

For more information, contact festival director Catherine Tompkison-Graham at 650-368-2497 or visit www.northfairoaksfestival.org. 

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