Category: Scholarship Thank You Letters

Dear Mrs. Hodowanec :

I’m sending this letter to express how thankful I’m for being chosen to receive the ” Orange County Wine Society ” scholarship. This is truly one of the most valuable gifts I have received during the past year

I have enrolled in Orange Coast College since 2022 and actually did change my major once in the beginning. At first, I majored in Food and Nutrition but I realized it was actually not for me when I saw and noticed how passionate I’m with cooking. The moment I spot a head chef right in front of me during the meal. I know for sure that I need to be awake and really chasing my true dream. As it’s, I’m currently majoring in Advanced Culinary Art/ AAS degree. My plan is to complete the degree in the Spring of 2025 and open a fusion fine-dining restaurant. Nevertheless, the scholarship means a lot to me. It helps me pay for my class bill and acts like a gift from a fellow member to help me be more motivated to achieve my goals.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your gracious generosity and support in my education.  You have inspired me to help others and give back to the community one day.   I promise to work hard and hope I will be able to help other students achieve their goals just as you have helped me.

Sincerely,

Ngoc Hoang

Westminster, CA

August 21, 2020

Dear Leslie Hodowanec,

I want to express my sincere gratitude for selecting me to receive the Orange County Wine Society, Inc scholarship. I was excited to be chosen and I am deeply grateful for your support, especially because I took a great class Fall 2019, Bar Management with Professor Yates, and I learned quite a bit about wine, there is still so much more to learn but I’ve got a great start. 

I have been continuing my culinary degree even with all the madness going on today, I am happy to report that I passed Spring 2020 with another 4.0 semester. I could not have done it without all of the resources that Orange Coast College has given me.  Your donation will allow me to have less financial stress this coming quarter and I cannot express to you how much it means to me. My current career plan is to open my own small meal prep/meals to go business once i complete my schooling this coming year. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your gracious generosity and support me in my education.  You have inspired me to help others and give back to the community one day.   I promise to work hard and hope I will be able to help other students achieve their goals just as you have helped me.

Sincerely,

Genevieve Clay-Poor

Huntington Beach, Ca 

Cameron Wilson

OCC Student

July 14, 2020

Dear Mrs. Leslie Hodowanec,

            I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for selecting me for the Orange County Wine Society scholarship. I am grateful to you and your organization for selecting me.

            I am currently enrolled in the advanced baking and pastry program at Orange Coast College. I have one more semester left until I earn my degree and the opportunity you have given me will allow me to reach the finish line. I cannot express to you how much this means to me and to have your support. I plan to be in the food industry in some way so I can feed people and make them happy.

            Thank you again for all of the support you have given me. I hope one day I may be able to do the same for others.

Sincerely,

Cameron Wilson

Anaheim, CA,

I would  like to express my great appreciation for you as well as my scholarship award. Your support has given me great confidence as I begin my fourth and final year at Cal Poly. By awarding me this scholarship you have lightened my financial burden which allows me to focus more on the most important aspect of school, learning. Your generosity has inspired me to help others and give back to the community. I  hope one day I will be able to help students as you have helped me. Thank you so much!

Best, Maddy R. – Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

On behalf of myself and my family, I would like to extend my sincerest thanks and appreciation for the scholarship you have generously granted me with. The funds I will be receiving from your organization will be used as I transfer to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to further my education and obtain my Bachelor’s of Science in winemaking.

With my sincerest thanks,

Janet D. – Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

My name is Darren O. You gave me a scholarship of $1,000 and I am truly thankful for the opportunity of the money you gave me. My friends and I are saving up money for a food truck and most of it will help us greatly. Some of the money will help me buy equipment and fees I need for my last semester at OCC. I am truly thankful for your scholarship; it means a lot.

I am truly thankful! Orange Coast College

Dear Orange County Wine Society,

Thank you for making me a recipient of the Orange County wine Society Scholarship. I appreciate the generous support towards my educational goals.

I am currently enrolled in the culinary arts program at Orange Coast College, from which I am hoping to gain a degree in Advanced Baking and Pastry. Upon completing my degree, my dream is to work for any of the Disneyland and Disney affiliated restaurants.

By awarding me with this scholarship, I am able to continue funding my education. I made the decision to close my daycare center and embark on this journey. I have not been working since, and it is through your financial generosity that I am able to continue to pursue my dream. I hope that one day I can make a difference in the culinary field and give back to the college and community in any way that I can.

Sincerely, Martha K.

Dear Orange County Wine Society,

Thank you for your generous donation of $1,500. This donation will help me finish my last two semesters in the Culinary Program and receive my AS in Culinary Arts. This generous scholarship has helped me get with the various expenses accrued through my time on the Hot Foods Team at Orange Coast College.

With this support I was able to go with my team to compete in Nationals which took place in Orlando, Florida. It was very expensive to travel to the three competitions so the scholarship helped in alleviating some of these expenses. As a mother of two currently holding two jobs to make ends meet, this support was a blessing and one of the reasons why I was able to compete. We earned two gold medals (state and region), and a silver medal in nationals, which speaks great lengths about the program at Orange Coast College.

I am truly grateful to have been given this scholarship to help better my future. Hopefully someday I will be in a financial standpoint where I too, can help someone achieve their goals and dreams, just as you have done for me.

– Elizabeth J.

I wish to extend my greatest appreciation for your generous gift in support of my education as a Masters student at the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology. It has given me the opportunity to attend one of the best schools and departments in the nation. I intend to work diligently to excel academically and become a contributing member of the viticulture and winemaking community. Through my research in grape pathogens, I will strive to further the understanding of the problems faced by grape growers and work towards solutions that will benefit growers, winemakers, and consumers. Thank you again for your generous contribution on my behalf.

Best Regards, Jerry L.