2022 Academic Scholarship Recipients Announced
All award recipient attendees and their awards
It is truly SLOCEA’s honor to award Academic Scholarships. This year we received nine outstanding applications - each extremely impressive and certainly worthy of special recognition for all their hard work and dedication. SLOCEA’s Academic Scholarship Committee awarded three Academic Scholarships and six Academic Awards.
The Academic Scholarship awards were presented at a celebratory dinner held on July 27th, 2022, by Academic Scholarship Committee chairman Tim Faes. Here are the 2022 SLOCEA Academic Scholarship recipients:
Scholarship Recipients:
Sylvia Bravo with her family receiving her award from Tim Faes
Sylvia Bravo describes herself as a life-long learner. Sylvia will be graduating this summer from Kennesaw State University with Honors. She has been an employee of the County since 2020 and is currently a full-time Bilingual Child Support Specialist III, a mother of two teenage children, and a wife of 20+ years. Sylvia is also a part of the Alpha Phi Sigma, Omega Nu Lambda, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. On top of all that, also finds the time the volunteer in the community. Congratulations Sylvia!
Alyssa Thompson with her family receiving her award from Tim Faes
Alyssa Thompson graduated from Paso Robles High School and is looking forward to attending University of California Berkley this fall. She will be majoring in Fine Arts for Creative Writing and minoring in Spanish. During high school, Alyssa was the President of the Creative Writing Club, lighting designer/technician/props master in the Paso Robles High Theater Company and participated in Junior Optimist Octagon International Club and Link Crew. She volunteered with the American Youth Soccer Organization as a youth referee, she worked with the Presidential Election Precinct in SLO County, as well as was an intern with the Paso Robles High School Athletics Department. All while graduating from high school with a GPA of 3.94. Congratulations Alyssa! (Parent- Mathew Thompson; Social Worker Supervisor II)
Ezekiel Taylor is a very active high school graduate who is looking forward to attending college at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix Arizona this upcoming fall where he will be studying Biology with a Pre-med emphasis. Ezekiel has been a long-time volunteer with The Project Surf camp, while also helping at SLO County Food Bank and Shoreline Calvary Chapel. During his high school career, he was in band for all 4 years as well as Water Polo. He received two awards: “Platinum Pirate Award” and “Heart of a Pirate”. All while graduating with an impressive GPA of 4.09. Congratulations Ezekiel (Parent- Cara Taylor; Agricultural Insp/Biologist III)
Academic Awards Recipients:
Amber Tetz with her family receiving her award from Tim Faes.
Amber Tetz will be attending her second year at Cal Poly to get her bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Amber is beyond eager to get out into our community and help in any way possible. During the most recent presidential election, Amber volunteered for the County Clerk’s office where she was an Election Assistant. She verified signatures, sorted ballots, made calls to community members, and transported ballots. She hopes to graduate from Cal Poly and continue to live in and help the San Luis Obispo County in any capacity needed. (Parent- Leah Tetz; Social Worker Supervisor II.
Jocelyn Gardner is looking forward to attending Cal Poly Pomona in late August where she will be majoring in Agriculture Science with a minor in Equine Science. Jocelyn has been very active with Nipomo High School FFA, FFA Leadership, Vet Science team, FFA Swine team, and Poultry team. Shel also has been a Community Service Leader with the Nipomo High school FFA, Counselor for Ag Adventure Camp, Nipomo Foothill 4H Jr Swine Leader, and Nipomo Recreation Dept Kids Day in the Park. All while also volunteering in her church. She is most looking forward to Pomona’s model of “Learn by Doing” and getting her hands dirty! (Parent- Dawn Gardner; Employment/Services Supervisor)
Jaylen Marchetti graduated from San Luis Obispo High School and will be attending Cuesta College to obtain his Architectural Technology Degree. Jaylen volunteered at Boy Scouts of America Camp Olijato during the Covid-19 closure where he helped revamp the camp. He worked on projects such as finishing construction of the new shotgun and archery sheds, building new boardwalk trails, decking of the new arrival dock, and doing annual upkeep. When the camp reopened, he was chosen for a volunteer position in Scout Craft where he helped teach up to 12 scouts wilderness survival skills, cooking, and pioneering merit badges. (Mother- Monica Marchetti; Library Associate III)
Nathanel Severn receiving his award from Tim Faes
Nathanael Severn will be attending California State University Los Angeles in the Fall to get his bachelor’s degree in law. He has plans to then attend Law School for an additional 3 years to get his Doctorate. During Nathanael’s high school years at San Luis Obispo High School, he participated AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) where his peers voted him “Best at Taking Initiative and Participating” as well as “Best Problem Solver”. Nathanael also led a team that was conducting research on tobacco for Harvard University. He also volunteered with the Pismo Beach Trash Cleanup where the team collectively picked up hundreds of pounds of trash off the shoreline. He did all this while enrolled in multiple AP classes and working a part-time job. (Parent- Carl Severn; Departmental Automa Spec II)
Abigail Stennett graduated from Arroyo Grande High school and will be attending Hancock Community College in the fall to get her bachelor’s degree, after which she plans to get her teaching credentials while also working as a caregiver. Abigail’s desire to pursue becoming a teacher has stemmed from working with students with developmental and physical disabilities during her high school years, and her work with her church’s children’s program during which she was a junior camp counselor. Abigail also volunteered her time during the COVID-19 pandemic to help many of our community’s elderly and found a passion for caregiving. (Parent- Rex Stennett; Custodian)
Andrew Stennett graduated from Arroyo Grande High School and will be attending Cal Poly in the fall with a major in business with an emphasis in accounting. After college, Andrew plans of becoming a CPA and working for a business here in SLO County. Andrew has a deep appreciation for his community and understands the importance of giving back and getting involved. In response to the current critical blood shortage, Andrew has become a regular donor of blood and platelets to help give the people in his community a better chance at life. (Parent- Rex Stennett; Custodian)
Briana Dickey
Office Assistant