By KAELYN CASSIDY Pamplin Media Group

Springridge at Charbonneau didn ’ t plan to award three scholarships this year , scholarship program director Gayle Inman said to a crowd of nearly 30 of the assisted living facility ’ s residents .

But as Inman and other staff read their applications and essays , they felt the three young men who each accepted $ 1,000 scholarships on Monday to be so deserving that they couldn ’ t resist .

“ Our future is very bright ,” Executive Director Garth Hallman said . “ We have young people who are working , going to school and furthering their education .”

The scholarships are funded by the purchase of special items from Springridge ’ s gift shop . Proceeds from these items go entirely to the scholarship fund , and scholarships are awarded to employees who submit an application with an essay about why they are deserving .

After launching in 2019 , the program was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic . Last year , the first scholarship was awarded to Elvis Cruz . This year , there were three recipients : 17-year-old Samuel Barajas , 18-year-old Daniel Castrejon and Michael Wheatley

Barajas ’ s mother , Eduarda Silva , read his

PMG PHOTOS : KAELYN CASSIDY

Samuel Barajas poses with his parents after accepting a $ 1,000 scholarship from Springridge at Charbonneau on July 10 , 2023 , He intends to use the scholarship to pursue a civil engineering degree at Portland State University .

application essay about his experience as a first-generation Mexican American aloud to the room . He plans to use the scholarship to pursue a degree in civil engineering at Portland State University , which he said his sister inspired him to do .

“ I am determined to continue my education and make my family proud ,” Barajas wrote .

Castrejon said he plans to attend Clackamas Community College and major in business .. He

Daniel Castrejon poses with Springridge employee Diane Anderson , who presented him with the $ 1,000 scholarship .

aims to one day own a company .

“ I ’ m excited to continue my education and be able to complete my dreams ,” Castrjon said . “ Just knowing that I ’ m not alone with it too .”

Wheatley was absent from the ceremony , but intends to use the scholarship to become a licensed practical nurse , Inman said .

Barajas and Castrejon beamed as they accepted their giant checks .

“ It feels great to know that there ’ s people out there who will help you ,” Barajas said .

From Kathi Gray : The new Sports Center Board of Directors is in full swing , planning events and formulating the guidelines going forward . As the club continues to grow towards a possible membership of 500 people , the board

MCLAIN will be hard at work . Here is an introduction to the nine-member board , including advisory members . I hope this gives you a look into what drives us all to serve you .

Pauline Reilly has been a GRAY Charbonneau tennis member

for 24 years .

“ Tennis has been such an important part of my life since childhood in Australia . I have made many close friendships through tennis . I am looking forward to being in an advisory

See SPORTS CENTER / 15

The Most Effective Aloe Moisturizer out there is here in Charbonneau !