COSF Awards First Scholarships to Two Ventura County High School Seniors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thousand Oaks, California – March 24, 2021
Two Oak Park High School seniors, Daniel Conway and Naomi Lin, are the inaugural recipients of the Conejo Open Space Foundation’s new scholarship. Announced in January, the recurring $1,000 annual scholarship supports students pursuing environmental-studies-related majors at two- or four-year colleges or universities starting with the fall 2021 semester.
The scholarship, which is open to Ventura County high-school seniors, drew a remarkable slate of candidates in its first year. It was a tough process for the scholarship panel (comprised of two COSF board members, two local environmental experts, and an educator) to narrow it down to the two recipients who will receive up to $4,000 total in support from COSF.
“We think the scholarship program is a perfect way for us to invest in the next generation of environmentalists, many of whom may return to the Conejo Valley after college,” says COSF President Jerry Westby.
The application process included a 500-word essay detailing the applicant’s reasons for pursuing a career in environmental studies.
Daniel Conway’s essay focused on his campaign to raise awareness of the declining numbers of insect pollinators with the founding of a “Save the Bees” club and the planting of a native garden to support them. “The parasitic relationship we have to Earth is unsustainable, and I am eager to find alternative ways to interact with our world with sustainability at the forefront,” Conway wrote.
Naomi Lin wrote about her commitment to environmental justice and how she hopes to practice environmental law. She has served as a project leader at Oak Park High School’s environmental club and as a volunteer for Forever Found, an anti-human-trafficking group.”With my experiences, attributes, and this scholarship, I will achieve more than just a degree in environmental law; I am committed to fiercely challenge the imperfections of the status quo,” Lin wrote.
COSF Vice President Brendan Callahan says, “The next generation of environmental activists have arrived and are prepared for the challenge. We are thrilled to offer this opportunity to support the growth of our future global stewards coming from Ventura County.”
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