The Irvine Co. offers $220,000 in scholarships

Newport-Mesa high school seniors will be competing with seniors from four neighboring school districts for scholarships from the Irvine Co. ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 for four finalists.

Thirty-two seniors, two from each Newport-Mesa, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Orange and Tustin school district high school will be selected into the Irvine Co.’s 2008 Investing in Education Student Leadership Awards Program.

The male and female students who apply from each school must have at least a 3.0 grade-point-average and be college-bound to qualify for the scholarships. The 32 qualifying students will be awarded $5,000 with eight being awarded an additional $2,500. Four finalists will be awarded a $15,000 scholarship. Candidates will go through a competitive leadership program and an oral interview. All the students will be honored in a ceremony in the spring.

The $220,000 in grants is being awarded by the Irvine Co. to the students who best demonstrate the abilities to become tomorrow’s community leaders.

— Joseph Serna