Press Releases

June 1, 2018

Del Mar, CA… It’s time to get your bid on! Don Diego Scholarship Foundation’s Online Auction of autographed guitars and other signed collectibles has opened at biddingforgood.com. Bidding closes at midnight on July 4, 2018.

Among the iconic items offered are guitars autographed by the 2016 San Diego County Fair Grandstand performers and by popular groups and individuals. Each item offers a buy-it-now option.

Auction proceeds benefit the Foundation’s educational programs, so when you win the bid of a guitar signed by a legendary musician, your donation is music to the ears of future leaders of our community. In 2018, 30 outstanding students throughout the San Diego area are sharing $72,500 in college scholarships to pursue their career goals.

The Don Diego Scholarship Foundation was named for Don Diego, AKA Tom Hernandez, who served as the Fair’s welcoming goodwill ambassador from 1947-1984. To date since its inception in 1986, the Foundation has awarded approximately $862,000 in scholarships to 204 students and in agriculture education grants. More information is at dondiegoscholarship.org and facebook.com/DonDiegoScholarship.

April 16, 2018

Del Mar, CA… The Del Mar Fairgrounds’ Infield Pavilion will be transformed into a candy land of delight for one magical evening on June 7, 2018 for the exclusive Don Diego Gala at the “How Sweet It Is!” San Diego County Fair.

Individual tickets at dondiegoscholarship.org are $275, with a $25-per-ticket discount if purchased by May 21, 2018. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

A colorful cornucopia of sweet treats awaits guests, beginning with all day preferred parking, hosted cocktails starting at 4:30 pm, and a mouth-watering gourmet dinner of grazing and grilling small plate selections plus champagne and delectable desserts.
Guests will mingle with a Who’s Who of San Diego society and meet the Class of 2018 Don Diego college scholarship recipients. The students will be presented in a brief program before the Gala culminates in VIP stagefront seating in the Corona Grandstand for the performance of the iconic classic rock band, Kansas.

A live auction will feature a case of Gold Medal wines, Blue Ribbon lamb, Grandstand stars-autographed guitars, other unique items and once-in-a-lifetime surprise opportunities. Elite sweet swag will make the evening memorable and complete.

Executive Director Chana Mannen states, “The annual Don Diego Gala celebrates our scholars and recognizes generous donors who enable these idealistic students to pursue their college and career goals. The 2018 Gala is already in hot demand, so we encourage people to buy tickets now before the event sells out.”

The Don Diego Scholarship Foundation was named for Don Diego, AKA Tom Hernandez, who served as the Fair’s welcoming goodwill ambassador from 1947-1984. To date since its inception in 1986, the Foundation has awarded approximately $862,000 in scholarships to 204 students and […]

February 5, 2018

Del Mar, CA … Don Diego Scholarship Foundation is featured on KOCT’s “Oceanside Spectrum” airing February 5-23, 2018 on TV and on-demand at www.koct.org. The program showcases the Foundation’s connection with the San Diego County Fair and its 2018 program offering a record $73,000 in college scholarships to 35 outstanding students who reside in the San Diego area and have participated in the Fair or other activities associated with the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

In the show, KOCT host Elaine Swann welcomes Foundation Executive Director Chana Mannen and 2016 scholarship recipient Taryn Sehnert. Mannen highlights the application process, available at dondiegoscholarship.org.

Taryn Sehnert, a 2016 Miss Fallbrook and longtime FFA leader, enthusiastically shares her love for the Fair and the many animals she has raised, leading to her desire to pursue an agriculture-related career. Having earned the National FFA American Degree, the highest honor bestowed by the organization, Taryn will transfer this fall from Mira Costa to her “dream school,” the University of Nebraska. She says she is grateful to Don Diego Scholarship Foundation for helping to propel her education.

Mannen states, “Taryn represents the kind of exemplary student Don Diego is pleased to support. We are very appreciative of Elaine Swann and KOCT for helping us spread the word about the Foundation and our ambitious, idealistic recipients.”

The Don Diego Scholarship Foundation was named for Don Diego, AKA Tom Hernandez, who served as the Fair’s welcoming goodwill ambassador from 1947-1984.
To date since its inception in 1986, the Foundation has awarded approximately $862,000 in scholarships to 204 students and in agriculture education grants. More information is at dondiegoscholarship.org and facebook.com/DonDiegoScholarship.

January 22, 2018

Del Mar, CA … Don Diego Scholarship Foundation will award a record $73,000 in college scholarships to 35 outstanding students who reside in the San Diego area and have participated in the San Diego County Fair and/or other activities associated with the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Scholarships are offered in six categories. Individual awards range from $1,000 to $5,000. The deadline to apply is March 19, 2018. Eligibility details and applications are at dondiegoscholarship.org. For questions, contact cmannen@sdfair.com.

Finalist interviews will be held in May. Recipients will be honored at the exclusive Don Diego Gala during the 2018 San Diego County Fair. Each recipient also will receive a personalized Legacy Brick installed at the Fairgrounds.

SCHOLARSHIP BREAKDOWN

• Scholarships of $5,000, $2,500, $1,500 and $1,000 will be awarded in each of four categories: 4-H, FFA, Employee and Exhibitor/Participant.
• Four $2,500 and 13 $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to 4-H and FFA students who participate in the 2018 Fair’s Junior Livestock Auction.
• Two 2,500 Vocational Education scholarships will be awarded to students who wish to pursue an AA/AS degree or certificate at a community college or accredited trade school.
• The coveted $5,000 Spanjian Family Scholarship will be bestowed upon the most outstanding 2018 recipient.

Don Diego Chair Jon Liss says that he and fellow Board members eagerly await dozens of applications from exceptional students throughout the region. Liss reports, “Our scholarship program has skyrocketed over the past few years! Prior to 2014, we awarded four $5,000 scholarships. Since then, we have steadily increased the number, categories, levels and total monetary amount of annual awards, enabling more future leaders to pursue their college and career goals. We have been able to […]

October 19, 2017

Del Mar, CA … Give that special someone a one-of-a-kind holiday gift as unique as the recipient: a personalized Brick permanently enshrined at the Del Mar Fairgrounds’ Legacy Fountain.

Don Diego Legacy Bricks begin at $150. A replica can be purchased to embellish home or office. Information and online purchase are at dondiegoscholarship.org.

The hundreds of customized Legacy Bricks already lining the pathway to the Fountain celebrate people’s lives and commemorate magical moments at the San Diego County Fair and Racetrack. Inscriptions run from the heartfelt to the humorous, together telling a story of cherished relationships and fun times with friends and family.

Don Diego Executive Director Chana Mannen states, “Making the gift even more meaningful, each Brick purchase is a donation that enables the Don Diego Scholarship Foundation to build a better San Diego, one scholarship at a time.”

The Don Diego Scholarship Foundation was named for Don Diego, AKA Tom Hernandez, who served as the Fair’s welcoming goodwill ambassador from 1947-1984.

Since its inception in 1986, the Foundation has awarded approximately $862,000 in scholarships to 204 students and in agriculture education grants. More information is at  dondiegoscholarship.org and facebook.com/DonDiegoScholarship.