California Association of Collectors Announces Scholarship Awards

The California Association of Collectors Educational Scholarship Foundation (CACESF) held its’ second annual scholarship awards banquet on April 17, 2007 at The Hyatt Regency in Sacramento.

First place winner Laura Johnson from Apple Valley, second place finalist Diana Ramos from San Diego and third place contestant Jessica Martin from Orland were selected from a panel of judges out of over 200 applications throughout California. Applicants were asked to write an essay on "The Importance of Establishing and Maintaining Good Credit During Your College Years."

Assembly Members Jean Fuller and Roger Niello were panelist for the awards along with CACESF Co-chair Patrick Lozano and California Association of Collectors (CAC) President Dale Van Dellen. Senator Dick Ackerman and Assembly member John Benoit also made a special appearance for the reception portion of the event.

The finalist read their essays in front of the judges and attendees and then first, second and third place was announced. Each student received a certificate of participation, recognition from the California Legislature and will have their essay published in Collector’s Ink, a monthly journal put out by CAC. All three finalist walked away as winners; the first place winner received $2,500, the second place winner got $2,000 and third place was awarded $1,500 in scholarships.

The first place finalist Laura Johnson has been accepted at California State University Fullerton’s honors and theater program and will major in musical theater and literature with a teaching emphasis.

The second place prize money will go towards Diana Ramos future goals in hospitality and hotel management. She has been accepted to all ten colleges she applied to and recently decided to attend the University of Denver in the fall.

The third place winner Jessica Martin will use her scholarship to pursue her dream to open her own beauty salon in California. She will begin classes at Butte College at the Chico Beauty College this fall.

The Educational Scholarship Foundation was founded in 2005 by CAC. The scholarship was started to help California high school graduates pursue their education at any accredited public or private college, university or trade school as well as to emphasize the importance of good credit management to high school seniors. Check the CACESF website at www.CACESF.org for the latest announcements for the 2008 scholarships.

CAC is a non-profit association that represents over 400 collection agencies throughout the state. CAC’s mission is to promote, stimulate, increase and improve the educational, social, economic and ethical welfare of the California collection industry and the public it serves. For more information go to www.calcollectors.net.