NORTH COAST, Calif. – Caltrans has awarded two $1,500 scholarships to local high school graduates as part of its 2019 Scholarship Program, thanks to the generosity of its district employees and support from the California Transportation Foundation.

This scholarship program supports college-bound high school seniors. Scholarships are competitive and based on applicant’s commitment to a career in transportation, attendance to a California University or State College, academic record, participation in extracurricular and/or community-related activities and, live within the four counties of the district – Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake and Mendocino counties.

The students receiving scholarships are Michael Taliaferro, a graduate of Lower Lake High School, and Dallas Daynara, a graduate of McKinleyville High School.

District 1 Caltrans employees have been raising money for this program for eight years with funds generated through proceeds from fundraising activities including candy and snack sales, bake sales, donut sales, Valentine’s Day gift sales and more.

This scholarship program is also supported by the California Transportation Foundation, which donates 25 percent of the funding.

Brad Mettam, Caltrans deputy for District 1 for planning and local assistance, spoke with pride of this tradition. “Caltrans District 1 employees work hard to raise these scholarship funds on their own. I’m just fortunate to have the opportunity to meet these students and show our support to their career goals.”