Yountville FOCUS announces 2025 winning scholars
Yountville’s Friends of Our Community United in Service (FOCUS) recently awarded scholarships to nine high school and college students.
The Yountville FOCUS program provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors as well as students beyond high school who are continuing their education in trade or vocational schools, colleges and universities.
Yountville FOCUS is a registered 501(c)(3), and applicants must reside within a specific vicinity of the town of Yountville. FOCUS Scholarship Chairperson Holly Hansen has announced the 2025 scholarship winners:
High School Graduating Seniors
Joseline Gallegos-Palomino – Will attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, with an interest in chemical engineering. She was awarded the Steve Bardessono scholarship, in remembrance of the former Yountville FOCUS president who established the Scholarship Endowment Fund.
Charlie Vaziri – Will attend Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.
College Students
Mikaela Dow – A graduate of UC Davis, Dow earned her MA in writing from the University College Cork before working as a teacher. She will be attending the UC Davis School of Law this fall.
Milani Harris – Currently attending Spelman College, majoring in chemistry with an emphasis in cosmetic chemistry.
Dominique Loeffelholz – Currently attending UC San Diego, majoring in biological anthropology.
Ian Richardson – After completing his education in physics and mathematics at Napa Valley College, he will major in applied mathematics at UC Davis this fall. Richardson was awarded the Skip Walters honorary scholarship in remembrance of the former Yountville FOCUS president.
Kennedy Schultz – Attending Saint Mary’s College of California, majoring in media production, with an emphasis on sports and community-focused projects.
Cassandra Segura-Delgado – Attending Sonoma State University, majoring in sociology, with an interest in social work.
Miles Tenscher – Attending UC Berkeley, majoring in economics, with an interest in business finance.
To inquire about applying for the Yountville FOCUS Scholarships early in 2026, interested applicants should call Holly Hansen at (707) 944-1311.
Applicants must be a graduating high school senior or older, although preference is given to graduating high school seniors. They must take a minimum of 12 units as a full-time student at the college or training program in which they will enroll in the fall.
