Don Diego Scholarship Foundation

Don Diego Scholarship Foundation www.dondiegoscholarship.org - The Don Diego Scholarship Foundation is a nonprofit scholarship program of the San Diego County Fair.

The nonprofit Don Diego Scholarship Foundation provides annual college scholarships to outstanding San Diego County high school seniors who have participated in the San Diego County Fair or other Del Mar Fairgrounds events as well as grants for agricultural education. The Fund was formed in 1986 as a lasting tribute to Tom Hernandez, who, in the role of Don Diego, served as the legendary goodwill

ambassador of the Fair from 1947 until his death in 1984. To date, the Fund has distributed more than $1 in scholarships and grants, helping some 300 students pursue a college degree.

As the June 10th Gala was preparing to kick off, some early-arriving Scholars enjoyed the opportunity to meet, mingle, a...
06/20/2026

As the June 10th Gala was preparing to kick off, some early-arriving Scholars enjoyed the opportunity to meet, mingle, and pose for this shot.

Lookin’ good at the Gala! Three Don Diego Board members with their supportive wives: Stephen and Francie Shewmaker, Kirb...
06/19/2026

Lookin’ good at the Gala! Three Don Diego Board members with their supportive wives: Stephen and Francie Shewmaker, Kirby and Alaina Morrison, Frederick and Shari Schenk.

Zaya Kramer was delighted to meet benefactors Joan and (Board member) Jim Edwards. In turn, they were delighted to learn...
06/19/2026

Zaya Kramer was delighted to meet benefactors Joan and (Board member) Jim Edwards. In turn, they were delighted to learn how Zaya planned to use their scholarship to pursue Agriculture Science at Cal Poly SLO, with a career goal of becoming an ag teacher.

Bryce McCague was happy to thank Lizbeth Ecke in person for his $1,000 Ecke Family scholarship propelling him to UC Berk...
06/18/2026

Bryce McCague was happy to thank Lizbeth Ecke in person for his $1,000 Ecke Family scholarship propelling him to UC Berkeley. Liz’s brother, Paul Ecke III, is a Don Diego Board member. The Ecke family has been part of our region’s rich agricultural history for decades.

It was great to see so many proud parents with their scholarship children at the Gala! Here are Addison and Kelly Schmit...
06/18/2026

It was great to see so many proud parents with their scholarship children at the Gala! Here are Addison and Kelly Schmitz, and Eythan and Amber Browning. We at Don Diego share in your pride.

The man of the hour at the Gala was Frederick Schenk (right), who was honored for his many years of service on the board...
06/17/2026

The man of the hour at the Gala was Frederick Schenk (right), who was honored for his many years of service on the boards of Don Diego and the 22nd DAA. Gala-goers know and love Fred as the auctioneer who put the fun in fundraising for more than one decade. Saying he was proud and happy to have helped raise money for our Scholars, Fred noted, “It’s important to invest in the success of our future leaders. When we do that, they win, our community wins, we all win.” Fred’s Don Diego Board colleague and friend, Stephen Shewmaker (left), quipped, “Over the years at our Gala, Fred’s separated more people from their money than the IRS!”

Don Diego Board member and super-generous donor George Karetas loves meeting recipients of his family scholarships. “I e...
06/15/2026

Don Diego Board member and super-generous donor George Karetas loves meeting recipients of his family scholarships. “I enjoy learning about their lives and plans for their future,” he said as he conversed with $5,000 Karetas Family Endowment recipient Tristan Harris, who’s headed to Grand Valley State University to major in Business.

Deren Erdem’s mom Gul wants Don Diego donors to know: “I’m so proud of my son. He’s worked hard and has a great future a...
06/15/2026

Deren Erdem’s mom Gul wants Don Diego donors to know: “I’m so proud of my son. He’s worked hard and has a great future ahead of him, starting at UCSD. Thank you!”

Address

P. O. Box 614
Del Mar, CA
92014

Telephone

+18587924210

Website

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