Source: Raquel Zick for Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Benevolent Posse (SBCSBP) has awarded two college scholarships, each worth $2,500, to recent local high school graduates supporting their higher education goals of post-secondary education.
Scholarships are awarded yearly to members of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Explorers Program.
The scholarship recipients of the 2024-25 academic year through the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara are:
Priscilla Valadez, a Dos Pueblos High School graduate who is attending CSU Fullerton with a chosen field of art. Her goal is to continue learning about art history while pursuing her interests of animation and museum curation.
Benjamin McLellan Amboy, a recent graduate of Alta Vista High School, is attending UC Santa Barbara this fall. Passionate about education, he seeks to become a teacher of history.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Explorer members are young adults who have completed eighth grade through the age of 20, who are interested in hands-on, pre-professional training, and real-life experience in law enforcement services and other related professions.
The program promotes personal growth through character development, community service, physical fitness, leadership, communication, and public speaking skills, command presence, and career planning, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
SBCSBP partners with the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara to support the dreams and higher education of students for years to come. The Posse has received support from long-time donor and board member Richard Berti, whose endowment was created to fund scholarships in perpetuity.
In the recent past the SBCSBP has helped the Sheriff’s Office obtain emergency equipment including COVID-19 personal protection equipment, protective vests, and night vision goggles.
It has also supported the effective DARE program in North County elementary schools teaching students to develop good decision-making skills and understanding of the harmful effects of substance abuse, bullying and violence.