Consistently serving the needs of students, the MiraCosta College Foundation has issued more than $260,000 in scholarships, celebrating both the donors and award recipients.

“Congratulations to our 278 scholarship recipients! Your determination, perseverance, and academic dedication is honored through this scholarship award. The MiraCosta College community is proud to support you in your educational journey,” applauds Dr. Sunita “Sunny” Cooke, MiraCosta College superintendent/president.

“Scholarships can really make or break a person’s ability to pursue their educational dreams and they have been a lifeline for our family during COVID-19,” highlighted Ashley Gerdo, recent 2021 graduate and scholarship recipient. Gerdo relied on scholarships to support her in her academic studies. When Gerdo was 25, formerly incarcerated, at the darkest point in her disease of addiction, and facing the trauma of a physically and mentally abusive childhood, she decided to ask for help and check herself into a rehab program. Despite having all the odds stacked against her, Ashley knew she didn’t want to be defined by her past. Instead, she opted for hope and resilience over despair.

Fast forward more than a decade and Ashley is now nine-years clean, wife to a loving husband, mother to three wonderful children, and on her way to earning her associate degree in sociology from MiraCosta College, thanks in large part to scholarships provided by partners such as Brother Benno’s.

“I’m always asking myself, what could have helped me or what could have saved me when I was younger,” Ashley explained. “That’s a big reason why I want to get my master’s degree in counseling and become a counselor at MiraCosta College. I’m committed to breaking the cycle for my children and also helping other young people who might need support like I did.”

For questions about supporting student scholarships at MiraCosta College, please contact Charity Singleton at csingleton@miracosta.edu or 760.795.6777.