More than $1 million in scholarships awarded to local students

Students seeking money for higher education often apply for scholarships administered by the Ventura County Community Foundation.

The scholarship arm of the foundation began awarding five scholarships a year.

On Thursday evening, the foundation awarded 414.

Some of the donors who funded namesake scholarships were on hand to name the winners and shake their hands.

Organizers of the event at the Ventura County Office of Education’s Conference & Education Services Center said they read through hundreds of worthy essays before picking winners.

Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Stan Mantooth mentioned the meaning of Henry David Thoreau’s quote,”The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.”

Mantooth encouraged the award winning scholars to do what they love in life.

For more information log onto vccf.org