NSF Awards Thousands of Dollars in Scholarships to Graduating Seniors

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The end of high school for the Class of 2020 came to a close in a way no one could have predicted. Despite the ever-changing world around them, the scholarship recipients of the Natomas Schools Foundation, greeted Board President Sonia Mercado and Board member Mariana Corona Sabeniano, with smiles as they presented a certificate acknowledging their hard work.

To celebrate the achievement of graduating seniors, the Natomas Schools Foundation (NSF) continued its tradition of awarding student scholarships to deserving students. The scholarships are awarded to students intending to pursue a college education and who have exemplified commitment in their academics and community service.

The NSF Scholarship Committee consisted of Mariana Corona Sabeniano, NSF Vice President Monty Maxwell, and NSF Board Member Brenda Borge. The Committee recommended and the NSF Board of Directors approved awarding ten scholarships, totaling $5,500.

The 2020 NSF Scholarship Recipients are:

Binita Mehta, Inderkum High School (UC Berkeley)$1,000

Sharod Nandi, Inderkum High School (UC Davis)$1000

Alana Smith, Natomas Charter School – PFAA (Howard University)$500

Isabel Gatdula, Inderkum High School (UC Berkeley)$500

Samantha Iraheta, Natomas High School (UC Davis)$500

Sonia Singh, Inderkum High School (University of the Pacific)$500

Tayybah, Iqbal, Natomas Charter School – PFAA (Sacramento State)$500

Timothy Dixon, Inderkum High School (Howard University)$500

Mariana Jones, Inderkum High School (UCLA)-$250

Marc Rodriguez, Inderkum High School (San Diego State)$250

Even though there will not be any crossing the stage, crowds cheering, group hugs, nor honking as seniors drive away one-last time from their high school, Natomas will still celebrate the Class of 2020. Graduates proudly display lawn signs with their photos or the name of their high school or future college.

While we will celebrate differently this year, it does not change how proud we are of our Natomas Unified School District graduates. Congratulations, Class of 2020!

NSF President and Board Member handing out scholarship to student
NSF President and Board Member handing out scholarship to student
NSF President and Board Member handing out scholarship to student
NSF President and Board Member handing out scholarship to student
NSF President and Board Member handing out scholarship to student
NSF President and Board Member handing out scholarship to student
NSF President and Board Member handing out scholarship to student
NSF President and Board Member handing out scholarship to student
NSF President and Board Member handing out scholarship to student
NSF President and Board Member handing out scholarship to student

Deadline for 2020 Scholarships Extended to May 1

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Revised on April 23, 2020

The Natomas Schools Foundation (NSF) is proud to announce its annual scholarship program. In 2020 the NSF will be offering scholarships to students who attend high school in the Natomas Unified School District. We are offering multiple scholarships of $1,000 each for current high school seniors and multiple scholarships of $500.

Applicant Requirements:

  • Attend high school in the Natomas Unified School District;
  • 50 hours or more of volunteer/community service, and/or formal employment, and/or service to school through a formal club or organization during the last two years;
  • Three (3) letters of reference from any of the following: counselor, teacher, coach, employer, volunteer leader, religious leader and/or neighbor;
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher;
  • Transcripts whether official or unofficial;
  • Short essay of 300-500 words describing what you learned from volunteer or employment experiences and how you think those lessons will help you in the future.

Applications are extended to Friday, May 1, 2020. Applications can be submitted electronically to Mariana Sabeniano at [email protected].

Awards can be used towards educational expenses in accredited four-year or two- year colleges or in a trade school. More information including application can be found below.

Message to 5K Supporters and Natomas Community

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NSF 5k Supporters and Community,

We were so looking forward to this year’s Annual Natomas Schools Foundation 5k, but like everyone, we never imaged that we would be in such an unprecedented time as we are right now. Although we have decided to cancel the 5k for this year and resume next year in 2021, our students still need us. As you know, the money that we raise from the 5k is to provide scholarships to well-deserving students. We are able to do that each year because of our generous sponsors and participants. We are moving forward with awarding four scholarships this year, and we have extended the deadline for seniors to apply until April 27, 2020. They can submit their completed applications to Mariana Sabeniano at [email protected].

We realize that these are tough economic times, and if for any reason, you are not able to leave your previously donated amount for the 5k, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can make arrangements to issue you a refund and to adjust our scholarships.

Thank you for your continued support. We will get through these uncertain times together, and remember, please stay indoors and wash your hands frequently to stay as safe and healthy as possible.

Natomas Schools Foundation Accepting Applications for 2020 Scholarships

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Revised on April 3, 2020

The Natomas Schools Foundation (NSF) is proud to announce its annual scholarship program. In 2020 the NSF will be offering scholarships to students who attend high school in the Natomas Unified School District. We are offering multiple scholarships of $1,000 each for current high school seniors and multiple scholarships of $500.

Applicant Requirements:

  • Attend high school in the Natomas Unified School District;
  • 50 hours or more of volunteer/community service, and/or formal employment, and/or service to school through a formal club or organization during the last two years;
  • Three (3) letters of reference from any of the following: counselor, teacher, coach, employer, volunteer leader, religious leader and/or neighbor;
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher;
  • Transcripts whether official or unofficial;
  • Short essay of 300-500 words describing what you learned from volunteer or employment experiences and how you think those lessons will help you in the future.

Applications are extended to Monday, April 27, 2020. Applications can be submitted electronically to Mariana Sabeniano at [email protected].

Awards can be used towards educational expenses in accredited four-year or two- year colleges or in a trade school. More information including application can be found below.

Natomas Schools Foundation to Postpone Natomas 5K 2020

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Natomas Schools Foundation has made the decision to postpone the Natomas 5K scheduled for April 25, 2020 due to the concerns surrounding the spread of the coronavirus and the illness that it causes, COVID-19. Your health and safety are our top priorities.

A new date will be announced soon.

Thank you all for your ongoing dedication and support to the Natomas 5K.

NSF Awards $7,000 in Scholarships & 15 Chromebooks

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Continuing the tradition of helping students enhance their education, the Natomas Schools Foundation awarded 10 college scholarships and 15 Chromebooks to students throughout Natomas Unified during the 2018-19 school year.

The nonprofit foundation was created solely to raise money to benefit NUSD students and staff. It relies largely on public donations and proceeds from the Natomas 5k, a community fun run held in April that attracts hundreds of participants.

Over the past three years, the foundation has awarded $23,000 in college scholarships and nearly 50 Chromebooks to deserving students.

NSF college scholarships, in denominations of $1,000 or $500, are designed to help students with outstanding potential and a track record of employment or community service defray expenses of a college or trade school.

The 2018-19 college scholarships winners were:

1)    Fajar Akhter, Inderkum High

2)    Daniel Atherley, Inderkum High

3)    Reshmika Mansukhani, Inderkum High

4)    Leia Getahoun, Inderkum High

5)    Koleen Matias, Natomas Charter School

6)    Kai Kitsuda, Natomas Charter School

7)    Calista Alan, Natomas Charter School

8)    Danniel Urena, Natomas Charter School

9)    Angelo Hinojosa, Leroy Greene Academy

10)  Alyson Kahn, Natomas Charter School

Fifteen Chromebook winners were selected from more than 60 applications received from students in 5th grade or higher. Candidates were judged on the basis of academic performance and potential, leadership potential, service to others and a need for a computer to improve or maintain their school performance.

Winners were Sofia Gutierrez, American Lakes School; Allyson Sizemore, Amari Kiburi and Trinity Aguilar, Heron School; Javan Dosanjh and Fajar Akhter, Inderkum High; Jada Foster, Natomas High; and Ahndiya Kiburi, Lydia Jema, Tayybah Iqbal, Rylan Rubiono, Aubrey McCray, Miya McDonnell, Kristina Baca and Angela Bustos, all of Natomas Charter School.

Please consider supporting the Natomas Schools Foundation to help other promising students in years to come. Donations can be made through Pay Pal by clicking here. The foundation is run by volunteers and does not spend a single dollar on administrative costs.

Purchases made through Amazon Smile, a website operated by Amazon, will assist the nonprofit foundation as well. Amazon Smile will donate 0.5% of your purchase price to this charitable cause, and eligible merchandise you buy will not cost extra. Simply start your shopping at smile.amazon.com and designated Natomas Schools Foundation as your charity of choice. Thank you!

Jada Foster holding up Chromebook from NSF scholarship program
Two students awarded chromebooks
Student Aubrey McCray holding up chromebook from Natomas Schools Foundation
Three Heron students holding chromebooks
Natomas Charter School students Koleen Matias, Kai Kitsuda, Calista Alan, Danniel Urena and Alyson Kahn
Natomas Schools Foundation Scholarship winner Angelo Hinojosa

Natomas 5k ‘Run for Their Future’ Video — Watch Now!

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Hundreds of runners and walkers turned out for the Natomas 5k on Saturday, April 27, 2019 — folks of all ages, from all corners of the district, to enjoy picture-perfect sunny skies and get a little exercise while helping to raise money for deserving youth. Best of all, thousands of dollars were raised for the Natomas Schools Foundation to provide college scholarships and Chromebook computers to help kids pursue their dreams. This video captures some of the fun.

Natomas Schools Foundation Accepting Applications for 2019 Scholarships

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The Natomas Schools Foundation will accept applications through April 12, 2019 for scholarships to help defray expenses at an accredited four-year college, two-year college, or trade school.

Multiple winners will be chosen for awards of $1,000 and $500. Applications are available here.

Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher and have served 50 hours or more during the past two years in one or more of these three categories:

  • Formal employment
  • Volunteer or community service
  • Service to school through a formal club or organization

Candidates also must write a short essay of 300 to 500 words describing what they learned from volunteer or employment experiences, and how those lessons might help them in the future.

Over the past two years, Natomas Schools Foundation has awarded $16,000 in college scholarships to deserving students.

Decisions in this year’s scholarship program will be announced at school Senior Awards
Nights.

Dos Coyotes gives $2,560 to help NUSD kids

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Thank you, Dos Coyotes and the Natomas community!

Natomas Schools Foundation President Sonia Mercado, several board members and an NUSD student, Roxxy, accept a $2,560 check from a fundraising event hosted last month by the newly opened restaurant at 2701 Del Paso Road. Patrons flocked there to eat that night — and Dos Coyotes donated all proceeds from the dinner rush.

Natomas Schools Foundation is a nonprofit group organized solely to raise money benefiting NUSD students. It has awarded $16,000 in scholarships and 33 Chromebooks to deserving kids in the past two years. Its next community event is the Natomas 5k on April 27. For more information, click here.