SCHOLARSHIP

Ojai Valley Lavender Festival Announces
David Mason Scholarship Opportunity for Ojai Valley Residents

Once again we are pleased to announce scholarship opportunities for Ojai Valley residents. The David Mason Scholarship Fund was established in 2012 by the OVLF to provide financial aid to qualified Ojai Valley residents who are (or will be) actively engaged in an established educational program that focuses on agricultural practices relevant to the Ojai Valley and/or the beneficial uses of lavender. This year, multiple $1,000 scholarships will be awarded.

This continuing scholarship fund honors David Mason, lifelong Ojai resident, florist and local historian, and his steadfast commitment to the valley.

“It is very important to sustain agriculture in our valley, not only for the overall economic health of the valley, but also to provide a spot of beauty, said David Mason. “I am honored,” he continued, “that the David Mason Scholarship will support and encourage continued agriculture in Ojai.”

“Since our founding in 2004, the Ojai Valley Lavender Festival has educated potential growers/farmers about the benefits of plants that celebrate our valley’s Mediterranean climate,” said OVLF President Cindy Mullins. “We feel it is critical to support and encourage sustainable agricultural careers in our community. We hope our scholarships can help make a difference in providing opportunities for tomorrow’s leaders within this vital industry.”
 

The Ojai Valley Lavender Festival, a non-profit organization, is proud to have educational outreach as a valued part of our mission.  Scholarships are financed by donations and funds raised during the annual Ojai Valley Lavender Festival.

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE 2013 RECIPIENTS OF THE DAVID MASON SCHOLARSHIPS:

Charles (Chad) Dawkins, class of 2013, Nordhoff High School – Chad has been accepted into the Culinary Arts program at Santa Barbara City College. He intends to pursue his passion for food by becoming a chef with a focus on organic foods and interesting flavors (like lavender).

Melissa Laine has a background in film production. Melissa wants to be a Conscious Entrepeneur – educating and enlightening her community on the benefits of health and healing. She will enroll in two distance learning programs, one focusing on growing and marketing lavender and the other on aromatherapy.

Austin Robison, class of 2012, Villanova Preparatory School; 2012 and 2013 Ojai Valley Lavender Festival Scholarship recipient. Austin will be going into his sophomore year next fall at Cal Poly where he is enrolled in the Agricultural and Environmental Plant Sciences program. His goal is to go to third world countries and help to build up their agricultural systems using their traditions.

Savanna Stanley, class of 2013, Nordhoff High School – Savanna will attend Missouri State University where she will major in Agriculture Communications with the intent to bring sustainable agricultural practices to the world.

Dane Whitman, class of 2012, Nordhoff High School; 2012 and 2013 Ojai Valley Lavender Festival Scholarship recipient. Dane will be entering his sophomore year at Bennington College in the fall, where he has pursued his interest in sustainable agriculture. His ultimate goal is to design and practice a system of agriculture that brings together concerns of the environment, the economy, energy, health, labor, education, community and the arts.