Giving on the rise

Since the Toshiba Senior Classic launched its scholarship funds, the

PGA Champions Tour event at Newport Beach Country Club in the last

four years has donated more than $150,000 to the future of Orange

County -- its high school student.

Thanks to the Toshiba Senior Classic Scholarship Fund, there are

dozens of students at universities who have received a financial

boost from the tournament, along with a Toshiba computer.

In 2003, the Toshiba Senior Classic Scholarship Fund will benefit

12 standout high school seniors. Each will receive a $2,000 grant and

a Satellite 1410 portable computer from Toshiba.

The program is one of the hallmarks of the Toshiba Senior Classic.

“What people will remember most about the Toshiba Senior Classic

years from now is the impact it has had on the local community,” said

Rod Keller, executive vice president of Toshiba Computer Systems

Group. “I cannot imagine a better legacy for this tournament than to

support the young people who represent our next generation of

leaders. I have been exceedingly impressed with the caliber of

students that have received our scholarship awards over the years.

Their credentials have been remarkable and they have gone on to

enroll in some of the most prestigious universities in the nation.

We’re really proud to be associated with them through the Toshiba

Senior Classic Scholarship Fund.”

The scholarships are awarded to one senior from each high school

in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, the Irvine Unified

School District and the Saddleback Valley Unified School District.

The winners are recognized at the Toshiba Senior Classic’s Community

Breakfast at the Newport Marriott.

Students go through an intensive application and interview

process, but the pay off is great for one of the largest annual

scholarships offered on Orange County campuses.

“It’s clear to me that the stature of this program has grown

considerably since we started,” said Toshiba Senior Classic

Co-Chairman Jake Rohrer.

“This is truly one of the top scholarships available at these

schools. As a result, the decision process is very challenging. We

get really exceptional candidates, so to decide on one winner for

each school is an extremely difficult thing to do. We see an amazing

balance of academics, extracurricular activities, leadership and

community service. I don’t know how these students do all the things

they do.”

The Toshiba Senior Classic Scholarship Fund is a joint effort by

the tournament title sponsor and the tournament operator, Hoag

Hospital Foundation. With this year’s grants, the program will have

donated $89,000 and 38 Toshiba computers to local students since its

inception.