Susanville’s Monticola Club Honors 2026 Scholarship Winners at Annual Luncheon
Susanville, CA – The Monticola Club, a local women’s community service organization celebrating 114 years of service, honored its 2026 scholarship recipients during a luncheon held Thursday, April 17. The club’s ongoing fundraising efforts support educational opportunities for Lassen High School students and Lassen Community College graduates.
This year, the Monticola Club awarded three $500 scholarships to Lassen High School seniors and one $1,000 scholarship to a Lassen Community College graduate.
The $1,000 Monticola Etta Tarry Memorial Scholarship was presented to Reegan Dunten. Named after a former club member, this scholarship has been awarded since 1979 to a Lassen Community College graduate continuing their education at an accredited four-year college or university. Reegan, a first-generation college student, graduated concurrently from Lassen High School and Lassen Community College in 2025. He is currently pursuing a degree in Environmental Science/Environmental Studies at Southern Oregon University. Reegan is active in athletics as a member of the SOU football team and holds roles as the SOU Native Ambassador, Tribal Agriculture Fellowship Ambassador/Mentor, and Agriculture Future of America Ambassador/Mentor. He has also engaged with USDA and other governmental agencies to represent Native agriculture and environmental sustainability.
The three Lassen High School scholarship winners include Londyn Smith, Miguel Hernandez, and Marie Giles.
Miguel Hernandez received the Monticola Vocational Scholarship, established in 1984 for students pursuing vocational education. Miguel plans to attend Chico State to study game development and animation, gaining experience with professional 3D graphics software. He has passed all his Advanced Placement tests, earning the AP Scholar with Honors title, and holds several recognitions including First-Generation, Rural and Small-Town, and School Recognition Awards. Miguel is also a member of the California Scholarship Federation and volunteers in community service projects such as cleaning Diamond Crest Cemetery for Memorial Day.
Marie Giles was awarded the Spencer Memorial Scholarship, the oldest Monticola scholarship first given in 1959. Marie is an honor student and accomplished athlete, participating in soccer, field hockey, and track and field. She is also a community volunteer, lifeguard, and swim instructor. In 2023, Marie won first place in the Northern California/Nevada Rotary Club speech contest. She is active in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and founded the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Lassen High
