Don Diego Gala Soars Above and Beyond to Celebrate Stellar Scholarship Recipients

Don Diego Class of 2023 left to right: Reagan Ochalek, Karlee Klemm, Morgan Nelson, Emily Grothe, Taite Tephabock, Collin Cavataio, Wesley Gratzer, David Gooding, Canyon Benner, Spencer Abramson, Maria Wang, Bart Backer, Moriah McLellan, Luke Anderson, Denisa Petricko. Not pictured: Nicole Guerrero, Marisa Monasterio, Taylor Michalke, Gregory Flores, Mallory Sehnert, Jordan Reyburn

Don Diego Scholarship Foundation’s July 1, 2023 Dinner and Concert Gala at the San Diego County Fair attracted a packed house. Guests enjoyed a high-top view overlooking the Fairgrounds at the famed Turf Club; an over-the-top reception, dinner and live auction of unique items, including a private flight on “The Yellow Peril” Lockwood Aircam; with the evening culminating in VIP stagefront seating under the stars at the Corona Grandstand for a concert by the iconic band, Alabama.

The actual stars were Don Diego’s 21 “Class of 2023” honorees sharing $62,000 in scholarships. Preparing to advance to prestigious colleges around the country and close to home to pursue their passions, the future leaders were presented on stage one by one by a beaming Don Diego Chairman Stephen Shewmaker. He stated, “We are proud of our accomplishments in rewarding and incentivizing ambitious students for 37 years. It would not have been possible without ongoing, generous donor support. We’re excited to keep the momentum moving forward. I promise you: we’re not going to stop!”

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Photos from the 2023 Dinner & Concert Gala!

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Join Us at the Gala & Old Dominion Concert

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Join Us for a Festive 2024 Don Diego Gala!

Rhinestone Roundup with Old Dominion

Join us for a dazzling evening of celebration and philanthropy at our annual gala, where we tip our hats to the brilliance of our scholars. Rhinestone Roundup: featuring Country-Pop band, Old Dominion, as we gather for an unforgettable night filled with gourmet dining, auctions, and the chance to mingle with the very scholars who will inspire us all. In addition to our scholars, we will proudly honor and recognize CEO of the Del Mar Fairgrounds, Carlene Moore, alongside Deputy Manager, Katie Mueller, for their outstanding contributions and dedication to our community and partnership with the Don Diego Scholarship Foundation.

As the stars twinkle overhead, we’ll take our seats in exclusive box seats to watch multi-award winning country-pop music sensation, Old Dominion. It’s a night where glamour meets generosity, and where each bid cast and each handshake exchanged helps to illuminate the path for future generations of scholars. Join us for a night of elegance, entertainment, and the celebration of academic excellence.

Thursday, June 13, 2024

Corona Beach House, San Diego County Fair

Suggested Attire: Rhinestone Cowboy – Country Western

Gala Schedule

4:30PM Gala Reception and Silent Auction
5;30PM Dinner; Presentation of Class of 2024 Scholars; Live Auction, honoring 22nd DAA CEO Carlene Moore and Deputy Manager, Katie Mueller
7:30PM VIP Box Seats to Old Dominion Concert on the Corona Grandstand Stage

Gala Committee

Chana Mannen
Lisa Barkett
Joe Harper
Mark Arabo

Your Generous Support Benefits Don Diego Scholarship Foundation’s Scholarships and Programs

Each Gala Ticket Purchased Includes:

  • Preferred Parking (all day)

  • Fair Admission

  • Gala Reception & Dinner

  • Gala Program

  • Silent & Live Auction

  • Box Seats to Old Dominion Concert

Your Ticket Purchase Is A Donation

to Don Diego Scholarship Foundation. Since its inception in 1986, the Foundation has awarded $1,338,844 in scholarships to 383 outstanding, deserving students who are associated with activities at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, including the San Diego County Fair.

$300

Gala & Concert Tickets

Individual ticket(s). Tables seat 8.

$150

Student Sponsorship

Sponsor a student to attend the Gala.

$150

Scholar Parent

Special rate for the parents of scholarship winners to attend the Gala.

Become a Gala Sponsor

Sponsors receive Gala tickets, special recognition and the gratification of knowing they are helping deserving students pursue their college and career goals.

I cannot attend.

Please accept my donation.

Meet Our 2023 Scholarship Recipients!

Maria Wang

  • San Diego
  • $5,000 Ranglas Family Endowment Exhibitor/Participant Scholarship
  • Brown University
  • With twin talents in coding and cello, I will double major in Computer Science and Music. Having developed and taught online programming to girls around the world, I will continue to mentor the next generation of female engineers as I work toward becoming a software engineer.

Reagan Ochalek

  • Lakeside
  • $5,000 Zable Foundation 4-H Scholarship
  • UC Davis
  • My love for animals translated into a passion for helping people live their best life, leading me to my goal of earning an MD and becoming a radiologist. I am a well-rounded woman: I play four sports, am a professional classically trained violinist, excel academically, and show in FA.

Moriah McLellan

  • Encinitas
  • $5,000 Karetas Family Endowment Employee Scholarship
  • USD
  • Working at the Fair was very rewarding. I loved being part of a team helping to make the Fair a memorable event. I plan to major in Chemistry and become a research chemist working in a lab; helping to make discoveries that aid the planet and benefit our lives.

Morgan Nelson

Ramona
$3,500 Tulloch Family Junior Livestock Auction Scholarship
$1,000 Kirby Morrison FFA Scholarship
Fresno State

Collin Cavataio

Escondido
$2,000 Junior Livestock Auction Scholarship
$1,000 Zable Foundation 4-H Scholarship
Texas A&M University

Canyon Benner

Oceanside
$1,500 Roxana Foxx Endowment FFA Scholarship
$1,000 Junior Livestock Auction Scholarship
Palomar College/UC Santa Barbara

Wesley Gratzer

Julian
$2,500 Allan Royster Vocational Education Scholarship
WyoTech

Marisa Monasterio

Fallbrook
$2,500 Zable Foundation 4-H Scholarship
Belmont University

Karlee Klemm

Ramona
$2,500 Tulloch Family Partners FFA Scholarship
UC Davis

Nicole Guerrero

Encinitas
$2,500 Schenk Family Endowment Employee Scholarship
Cal State Northridge

Gregory Flores

San Diego
$2,500 Shewmaker Family Endowment Exhibitor/Participant Scholarship
UCSD

Mallory Sehnert

Fallbrook
$2,000 Junior Livestock Auction Scholarship
MiraCosta Community College/University of Nebraska

Luke Anderson

El Cajon
$1,500 Zable Foundation 4-H Scholarship
University of Idaho

Denisa Petricko

Encinitas
$1,500 The Howell Boys Employee Scholarship
MiraCosta Community College

David Gooding

Carlsbad
$1,500 Mannen Family Endowment Exhibitor/Participant Scholarship
UCSD

Bart Backer

San Diego
$1,000 Ecke Family Exhibitor/Participant Scholarship
UC Irvine

Jordan Reyburn

Fallbrook
$1,000 Junior Livestock Auction Scholarship
Humboldt State University

Spencer Abramson

Lakeside
$1,000 Junior Livestock Auction Scholarship
Montana State University

Emily Grothe

San Diego
$1,000 Junior Livestock Auction Scholarship
Southern Utah University

Taylor Michalke

Fallbrook
$1,000 Junior Livestock Auction Scholarship
Palomar College

Board of Directors

Steve Shewmaker, Chairman

Glenn Drown, Vice Chairman

Alysha Stehly, Treasurer

D Prestininzi, Secretary

Lisa Barkett
Alyson Connelly
Sandra DiCicco
Jim Edwards
Susan Farrior
Joe Harper
John Hoeflich
George Karetas
Kirby Morrison
Frederick Schenk

Chairs Emeritus

Paul Ecke III
Roxana Foxx
Jon Liss

Executive Director

Ashley Colburn McCaughan

Gala News

2023 Don Diego Gala, The Vista Press
2023 Don Diego Gala, Del Mar Times

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2019 Gala, Del Mar Times
2018 Gala, Ranch and Coast
2018 Gala, Del Mar Times
2018 Gala, Oside News
2017 Gala, San Diego Union Tribune
2017 Gala, The Vista Press
2016 Gala, Rancho Santa Fe Review
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