Three Valleys Community Foundation accepting applications for $10,000 scholarship

The Three Valleys Community Foundation (3VCF) is currently accepting applications for the David Yandell Award Service Scholarship, which will award $10,000 to an Amador Valley High School student who demonstrates outstanding service and leadership to the school community.

According to a press release from the foundation, the nonprofit partnered with Amador to create the new scholarship, which will be awarded to a student for the first time starting with this year’s 2024 graduating class.

“It is exciting to work directly with community members to help them realize their philanthropic goals and channel funds toward worthy causes,” Three Valleys CEO Kelly Bowers said in October, when the creation of the scholarship was first announced. “As a former Superintendent of Schools, I can’t think of a better investment than furthering the education of our next generation.”

The scholarship will go directly toward the students’ higher education expenses such as tuition and other fees.

According to Bowers, the scholarship is open to any graduating Amador senior with priority being given to those who can demonstrate financial need and to those whose parents or guardians have worked in the education field.

The application window will close at 5 p.m. on May 10.

The scholarship and award are in honor of David Yandell, a retired but highly regarded counselor and teacher at Amador who taught at the school for many years before retiring in 1997.

“While at Amador … I valued the opportunity to work with students to open the doors to their future,” Yandell said in the press release. “The most important skill for them to learn was how to deal with a changing world. And now, having been retired for over 20 years, I am honored and touched to have this award and scholarship for students who have shown outstanding service to their school and community.”

According to the foundation, a senior service award was established several years ago in Yandell’s honor but now thanks to his youngest son, Keith, the award will now include that $10,000 scholarship.

“As the son of an educator, I value and appreciate the sacrifice and contribution of public educators and the importance of educational opportunity beyond high school,” Keith — who is also an Amador alum — said in the press release. “This is my way of honoring my father and his legacy as well as giving back to Amador, which has given my family so much.”

Amador Principal Jonathan Fey also expressed his enthusiasm for the new scholarship in the press release and said the school was pleased to partner with Three Valleys to provide this opportunity for students. 

“I am inspired by David’s legacy and Keith’s benevolence and I am confident others will be too,” Bowers said. “Looking ahead, it is my sincere hope this is the first of many legacy scholarships that 3VCF will host and support.”