Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance Foundation awards $30,000 in scholarships

By Staff Report · Mon Jun 08 2026

PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance Foundation has awarded $30,000 in scholarships to 12 graduating seniors from Paso Robles, Templeton, and Atascadero high schools.

Funded through proceeds from the 2025 Paso Robles Wine Country Virtual Auction, the scholarships recognize students who have demonstrated academic achievement, leadership, and dedication to their educational goals. Award amounts ranged from $1,000 to $4,000.

“Reading applications for these scholarships is a highlight of my year,” said Maggie Tillman, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance Board Member and Owner of Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery. “These are local kids with real ambition, and the Virtual Auction is how our industry gets to recognize and root for them in a tangible way. The Paso Robles community and the wine industry are deeply intertwined, and getting to support local students is a gift.”

The scholarship recipients are Anadelia Esteban Galvez, Kate Harrington, Kingston Lacy, Hector Rendon, Emily Santoro, and Calvin Thompson of Paso Robles High School; Stella Needles, Katherine Nicholson, Kyla Schwartz, and William Wallace of Templeton High School; and Emma Garrett and Valeria Sandoval of Atascadero High School.

The foundation awarded the scholarships through its annual evaluation process, which considers grade point average, extracurricular involvement, personal essays, recommendations, and individual circumstances.

The next Paso Robles Wine Country Virtual Auction is scheduled for Sept. 14-23. Proceeds from the event support student scholarships and local nonprofit organizations.