Scott Jacobson

5/2/13
University of Wyoming
$5,000, 4-H

“I am totally stoked! I’ve known about Don Diego all my life, read about the students who won and never dreamed it might be me.”

CANYON CREST ACADEMY’S SCOTT JACOBSON IS HEADED TO THE U OF WYOMING WITH A $5,000 DON DIEGO COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP

Del Mar, CA … Canyon Crest Academy senior Scott Jacobson has been awarded a $5,000 college scholarship from the Don Diego Scholarship Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the San Diego County Fair. He and the other three 2013 scholarship recipients will be recognized at the Don Diego Steve Miller Band Dinner and Concert Gala taking place on June 15, 2013 at the Fair. Tickets are available at dondiegoscholarship.org.

Don Diego Chair Paul Ecke III reports, “In a year with a record number of applicants and three strong finalists in the highly competitive 4H category, Scott’s academic excellence, public speaking skills, 4H achievements – including a blue ribbon at the Fair for every animal shown over the last ten years – and, not least of all, his ambition to succeed and passion for animals, made the selection committee’s choice apparent.”

Adding to Scott’s demonstrated excellence on all levels is an incredible drive to do his best under all circumstances. Graduating with a 3.48 GPA, Scott confides, “I was diagnosed with Dyslexia and ADHD at an early age, but my mom never let me use this as an excuse to not do well in school and set goals. I attended several hours a week of special tutoring through junior high so I could to learn to overcome and adapt to these disabilities rather than succumb to them.”

Today, Scott’s goals are focused on pursuing a degree in Agricultural/Animal Science at the University of Wyoming at Laramie. He says, “I want to combine my passion for livestock and exotic animals, encouraging governments around the world to develop conservation programs that allow exotics and livestock to co-exist.”

Scott developed a love of livestock at an early age; indeed, he quips, “since before I was born. I literally grew up in the Fair’s Livestock Department where my mother, Kim Jacobson, was Livestock Coordinator.” He gained a deep knowledge of exotic animals on a trip with his mother to Costa Rica that was designed to show Howler and Spider monkeys, Camens, Three Toed Sloths, Poison Dart Frogs and other exotics in their natural habitat. With excitement, Scott recalls the trip’s highlight: “a night excursion to observe the Green Sea Turtle exit the ocean, dig a hole and lay her eggs.” more …
Scott says,” I was stoked to learn I won the scholarship. I’ve known about Don Diego all my life. I’ve read about students who won, but I never dreamed it might be me.”

Adults who have watched Scott’s progress with pride are delighted but not surprised.

In their letter of recommendation, his Terra Bella Ranch employers, Jeff and Nicolina Alves, wrote, “Scott embodies the qualities of the late and respected Tom Hernandez