DeBolt Scholarship Winner – Frances

*Generously funded by Bank of the West

First Runner-Up – Reniquea

Alcohol and drug abuse led to Reniquea's birth mother abandoning her at the age of two. Reniquea then spent years moving from foster home to foster home until she moved in with the family that was to become her own. Her adoption was finalized when she was eight years old. In high school, Reniquea enjoyed many rewards and challenges as a peer leader and conflict mediator. Now studying at Sacramento State University, her goal is to study law enforcement. "I plan on giving back to my community by helping to solve crimes on the street."

Second Runner-Up - Peggy

* In honor of Jane Blaffer Owen

Neglect and abuse, which resulted from her birth parents' involvement with drugs, led Peggy to being placed in foster care. Fortunately, her aunt and uncle decided to become licensed as foster care givers in order to offer Peggy a home. They officially adopted her when she was in third grade. Peggy's desire to lead a "healthy drug-free and happy life" led her to a love of running and she became captain of her high school cross country team. She now attends University of Nevada, Reno as a pre-nursing student and plans to become a Registered Nurse. "I look forward to inspiring [patients] in the areas of fitness and nutrition."

Honorable Mention – Adam

* In honor of Mary Lucas

Birth defects kept Adam in the hospital for his first eight months. Soon after he went home, his birth mother was arrested and he was placed in foster care. His first adoption at age four did not work out. When he was six years old, Adam was placed, this time by AASK, with what was to become his permanent family. Adam developed a love and talent for trumpet playing, which he continues to pursue both personally and professionally. He is majoring in Rhetoric at the University of California, Berkeley. "I have always held the belief that who I am is defined by what I do now, that...the past bears little upon my identity. I hold monumental faith in the present."

Honorable Mention - Rebecca

Rebecca was removed from her home and placed in foster care after suffering long-term physical and mental abuse. As First Runner-Up for the 2010 DeBolt Scholarship, Rebecca is continuing to attend California Baptist University, pursuing a double major in psychology and sociology "so that I can accomplish my dream of becoming a therapist for trauma victims."

Award of Recognition - Rafael

"I believe that if one tries hard enough with dedication, commitment, and a positive outlook, that they can succeed in anything."

Award of Recognition - Mariah

"My long term goal is to own my own beauty shop...then I will...expand it into a center where young women can take classes on not only how to look beautiful on the outside but to also be beautiful on the inside."

Award of Recognition - Alyssa

"I want to prove that just because you are a foster child and went through hard times, does not mean you have to settle for less. You can strive and achieve what you may think is the impossible and reach your dreams and aspirations."

DeBolt Scholarship Winner – Cody

First Runner-Up – Rebecca

Rebecca was removed from her home and placed in foster care after suffering long-term physical and mental abuse. She moved in with her aunt and uncle who later adopted her. Currently pursuing a double major in psychology and sociology at California Baptist University, Rebecca plans to go to graduate school and become a therapist for abused children. “I hope that I can aid in the healing process of the children that I work with by relating to them and helping them talk about their abuse.”

Second Runner-Up - Geneva

Geneva was born while her birth mother was in prison for robbery. Following that time, she lived with her mother until social services stepped in. Eventually diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, Geneva was adopted by her godmother. Now attending Columbia University, Geneva plans to study abroad, travel the world with the Peace Corps, and pursue a career in environmental chemistry. Says Geneva: "I live everyday to prove this: no past can predict a future."

Honorable Mention – Myson

Following neglect by his birth mother, who was on drugs, and his birth father, who was in jail, Myson and his sisters were taken to a foster home. As Myson was moved to a children’s shelter and then several foster homes, he was also separated from his three sisters. Myson and one sister were finally adopted by his grandmother. Now studying at California State University, San Bernardino, Myson says: “My goals are to give back to the youth, graduate with my teaching credentials, and pursue engineering in graduate school.”

Honorable Mention - Kenneth

Kenneth, considered a “failure to thrive” baby, was abandoned by his drug-addicted mother while he was in an incubator. His adoptive parents met him while he was still in the hospital. Sadly, his adoptive dad was murdered when he was a teenager. Kenneth has been studying at Georgia Military College, plans to play football like his dad, and major in music and video production. “One day, if I don’t quit, I know I will be able to inspire other little kids like me.”

DeBolt Scholarship Winner - Angelica

Angelica was nine years old when her biological father died of a drug overdose.  Her biological mother, also a heroin addict, wasn't able to give her six children a stable home; before she was arrested, they lived on the beach in Santa Cruz.  When Angelica was twelve, she and her younger sister moved in with the family who later adopted them.  "Our new family, unburdened by addictions, was able to offer us a stable home...As I became grounded in this family the rest of the world opened up to me."  Angelica is now pursuing her dream as a history major at University of California, Davis, and plans to double major in history and political science.  She would like to improve the lives of children, especially those in the foster care system.

Runner-Up – Kimberly

At age eight, Kimberly was left in the mountains for two weeks by her biological mother, with nothing for her and her four siblings to eat but crackers and peanut butter.  By the time their mother lost her parental rights, due to neglect and drug and alcohol abuse, Kimberly had lived in seventeen different foster homes.  Finally, at age 16, she was adopted into a loving family.  While attending the University of California, Irvine, Kimberly published two books, Things Happen For a Reason, Even Foster Care and Adoption and, for children, I Am a Foster Child, and That's Okay with Me.  Now a graduate student at Harvard University in the Risk and Prevention Program, Kimberly wants to "create a greater chance for success in future foster children."

Honorable Mention – Jerson

Jerson never knew his biological mother, who abandoned him.  After his biological father remarried, Jerson's stepmother brought him to the United States from Guatemala.  Marital problems eventually drove her to a suicide attempt, witnessed by Jerson.  He ran for help and, when the police arrived, his stepmother was taken to the emergency room and Jerson to a foster home.  At the age of nine, he was placed with a permanent family.  Jerson now  "aspire{s} to be an inspiration to others and to demonstrate that despite any adversity or challenge one may face, one shall always keep one's head up straight and continue toward a promising future."  Jerson currently attends the University of California, Riverside, working toward his goal of becoming a mechanical engineer.

Imani spent her first two years in foster care. Her biological mother, who struggled with substance abuse, had relinquished her parental rights, wanting to give her daughter a chance at a decent life. Fortunately Imani, was adopted into a loving family; she now attends the Honors College of Hampton University, majoring in biology with a pre-med focus. Her goal is to become a surgeon so she can "make a difference and help other people."

Faith grew up in homeless shelters. When she was in second grade, Child Protective Services removed her from her heroin-addicted biological parents. After two years of living in one foster home after another, Faith and her twin brother were adopted together. Faith has helped her older adoptive sister raise four other adopted children with special needs. Now a student at San Joaquin Delta College, Faith aspires to become a teacher, so her children "know at least one person will want to be their leader and protector to make a difference in their lives - me!"

Chelsea suffered both abuse and neglect when she lived with her biological mother. Finally, when she was 12, the police placed Chelsea and her twin brother in foster care. Fortunately, they were adopted together into a permanent family. Now a student at Fullerton College, Chelsea says, "I would not be the person I am today without the support and encouragement of my parents." Her goal is to get an Master’s in Social Work, so she can help children and their families and do her part to improve the foster care system.

When she was six years old, Sharray and her younger sister were permanently removed from their birth parents’ home in separate foster homes. For three years, they each shuffled through multiple placements before finally being adopted together when Sharray was nine. Through volunteering at a convalescent home, she realized her dream was to become a nurse at Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. Sharray will be the first person in her biological family to finish high school and attend college.

Born prematurely, Kyle was abandoned by his birth mother while he was still in a hospital incubator. Shortly after his first birthday, he was placed with foster parents who adopted him three years later. His family includes five siblings, two of whom are also adopted. Despite multiple health challenges, including stunted growth and a bone tumor, Kyle has striven to excel at physical activities, and is an enthusiastic athlete and musician. Kyle attends Azusa Pacific University, where he plans to get his degrees in counseling and psychology.

Until she was eight years old, Sarah shared a home with an abusive father and a substance-dependent mother. After her dad abandoned the family, she spent the next eight years between her grandmother’s place, multiple foster homes and living on the streets. At age 16, Sarah decided, “If I’m going to get anywhere in life, I need a family.” Knowing it would be difficult to find an adoptive home in a small town as a teenager, Sarah contacted local newspapers and radio stations and persuaded them to tell her story. Twenty-seven families responded, including the couple that soon after adopted her. Sarah is now an ambitious student and artist attending College of the Redwoods.

Danae, who was exposed to drugs in utero, had two leaky heart valves when she was born weighing only two and a half pounds. After spending her first three months in an incubator, she was placed in foster care. When she was two, her foster parents adopted her. Danae attends California State University, Northridge, where she is a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society, Chief of Staff of CSUN’s student government, and a member of the school’s 1st Place-winning Model United Nations team. After graduation this Spring, Danae hopes to pursue a career path with the FBI or CIA, specializing in counterterrorism.