Twenty-two outstanding graduating seniors from San Joaquin County high schools have been awarded a total of $61,000 in scholarships from the Friedberger Educational Fund to continue pursuing their education.

Each of the students was awarded approximately $2,750, paid out in installments over four years. More than $640,000 has been awarded since 2007. Since the selection of the first recipients in 1964, the Friedberger Educational Fund Scholarship has awarded more than $2.7 million to local students.

Christian Rodriguez Ochoa of Escalon High School, Escalon Unified School District, was one of this year’s recipients.

The fund was established in 1963 by William Friedberger, a prominent Stockton physician and longtime medical director at San Joaquin General Hospital. He established the fund in memory of his father and mother – Arnold and Lotta Friedberger. They were 19th-century pioneers to the Mother Lode and Stockton from their native Germany. The Bank of Stockton has been the fund manager since the scholarship was established.

To qualify for the scholarship, nominees must meet a list of criteria. The list includes: need for financial assistance, excellent schoolwork, outstanding character, leadership, public service, and intent to enroll in an institution of higher learning in California. Each high school in the county may nominate one applicant per year. The schools can be either public or private.

The applications were reviewed by a three-member awards committee, which included representatives of San Joaquin County Superintendent of Schools James Mousalimas and Stockton Unified School District Superintendent Eliseo Dávalos. San Joaquin County Board of Education Area 3 Trustee Peter Ottesen was the third committee member.

The total scholarship award for each student is $2,755.25, to be paid in three installments of approximately $689.

The San Joaquin County Office of Education issued congratulations to all of the 2017 Friedberger Educational Fund Scholarship awardees.

San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) provides educational leadership, resources, and services to support schools throughout the county. With its highly regarded programs, innovative staff, and community partnerships, SJCOE ensures that every student in San Joaquin County has the opportunity of a quality education. For more information, visit www.sjcoe.org.