Chicago Came to Del Mar for Don Diego’s 40th Anniversary VIP Gala at the Fair

The June 10, 2026 Don Diego Scholarship Foundation Gala on opening day of the San Diego County Fair was VIP all the way: from Preferred Parking to the elite Turf Club with a spectacular view, scrumptious dinner, and exclusive auction items; to the culminating concert by iconic rock band Chicago on the newly-debuted VIP Terrace of the Corona Grandstand reserved especially for Gala guests.

The true VIPs of the evening were the 22 stellar Scholar-Leaders comprising this year’s Class of 2026 sharing $94,000 in Don Diego college scholarships. Among them was top winner and Poway High Valedictorian Arya Bosworth, who, like the other recipients, addressed the Gala crowd. Arya thanked donors for their support and drew applause as she revealed that she will use her $10,000 to double-major in Mechanical Engineering and Theatre, Dance & Media at famed Harvard.

Board member Frederick (Fred) Schenk was honored for his many years of service on the Boards of Don Diego and the 22nd DAA, as well as for his prominent regional stature as a longtime lawyer, including pro bono representation of families impacted by 9/11. He also is the auctioneer who put the fun in Don Diego fundraising for more than a decade. Saying he was proud 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.”

In a heartfelt speech, Chair Kirby Morrison called Don Diego “the best organization with which I have been involved.” Summing up the Foundation’s mission and passion, he said, “If you have ever felt down about the future, just marvel at these students here tonight!”

Photos from the 2026 Dinner & Concert Gala!

See Photos
See Photos
PLATINUM SPONSORS

Charity Fair Horse Show
Cecile B. DeMille Foundation
Joyce Rowland
The Shewmaker Family
Zable Foundation

GOLD SPONSORS

The Liss Family

SILVER SPONSORS

The Ecke Family
The Edwards Family
The Mannen Family
The Schenk Law Firm

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

Tickets go on sale April 10, 2026

Get Tickets

Tickets are on sale now

Seating is limited so reserve your seats today!
Get Tickets

Ticket purchases are closed for this event.

Contact us if you have any questions.

Join Us for a Night of Celebration and Giving!

You’re invited to an unforgettable evening at the 2026 Don Diego Scholarship Foundation Gala, where we will proudly celebrate and honor our outstanding scholarship recipients.

Enjoy an inspiring night as you meet our remarkable scholars, participate in an exciting LIVE AUCTION, and experience a meaningful program that highlights the impact of your support. The evening will culminate in an exclusive VIP concert experience featuring Chicago, one of the longest-running and best-selling music groups of all time.

Don’t miss this special opportunity to support education, strengthen our community, and invest in the future leaders of tomorrow.

PLATINUM SPONSORS

Charity Fair Horse Show
Cecile B. DeMille Foundation
Joyce Rowland
The Shewmaker Family
Zable Foundation

GOLD SPONSORS

The Liss Family

SILVER SPONSORS

The Ecke Family
The Edwards Family
The Mannen Family
The Schenk Law Firm

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Turf Club & VIP Terrace, San Diego County Fair

Suggested Attire: Summer Fun (smart casual)

Gala Schedule

4:30PM Gala Reception
5:30PM Dinner; Presentation of Class of 2026 Scholars; Live Auction
7:30PM VIP Terrace to Chicago Concert on the Corona Grandstand Stage

Gala Committee

Paul Ecke lll
Chana Mannen
Lisa Barkett
Mark Arabo
Donna O’Leary
D Prestininzi
Joe Harper

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

  • Live Auction

  • VIP Terrace to Chicago Concert

Your Ticket Purchase is a Donation

to Don Diego Scholarship Foundation. Since its inception in 1986, the Foundation has awarded $1,510,344 in scholarships to 434 outstanding, deserving students who are associated with activities at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, including the San Diego County Fair.

$325

Gala & Concert Tickets

Individual ticket(s). Tables seat 8.

$150

Student Sponsorship

Sponsor a student to attend the Gala. Concert ticket not included.

$150

Parents of Scholarship Winners

Special rate for parents of scholarship winners to attend the Don Diego Scholarship Foundation Gala. Concert ticket not included.

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.

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

  • Live Auction

  • VIP Terrace to Chicago Concert

Your Ticket Purchase is a Donation

to Don Diego Scholarship Foundation. Since its inception in 1986, the Foundation has awarded $1,510,344 in scholarships to 434 outstanding, deserving students who are associated with activities at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, including the San Diego County Fair.

$325

Gala & Concert Tickets

Individual ticket(s). Tables seat 8.

$150

Student Sponsorship

Sponsor a student to attend the Gala. Concert ticket not included.

$150

Parents of Scholarship Winners

Special rate for parents of scholarship winners to attend the Don Diego Scholarship Foundation Gala. Concert ticket not included.

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.

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

  • Live Auction

  • VIP Terrace to Chicago Concert

Your Ticket Purchase is a Donation

to Don Diego Scholarship Foundation. Since its inception in 1986, the Foundation has awarded $1,510,344 in scholarships to 434 outstanding, deserving students who are associated with activities at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, including the San Diego County Fair.

$325

Gala & Concert Tickets

Individual ticket(s). Tables seat 8.

$150

Student Sponsorship

Sponsor a student to attend the Gala. Concert ticket not included.

$150

Parents of Scholarship Winners

Special rate for parents of scholarship winners to attend the Don Diego Scholarship Foundation Gala. Concert ticket not included.

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 2024 Scholarship Recipients!

Kelsey Hoeffliger

Escondido
$2,500 Tulloch Family Partners FFA Scholarship
$2,500 JLA Scholarship
Cal Poly SLO
Agriculture Communications

Salyn Meas

Lakeside
$3,500 William and Betty Ann Tulloch Endowed JLA Scholarship
$1,500 Roxana Foxx Endowment FFA Scholarship
Grossmont College/Texas A&M
Animal Science

Dacey Bender

Fallbrook
$1,000 Kirby Morrison FFA Scholarship
$1,000 JLA Scholarship
UCSD
Biology

Lily Anderson

El Cajon
$2,500 Zable Foundation 4-H Scholarship
$1,500 JLA Scholarship
Grossmont College/Chico State
Education

Chase Jonas

Lakeside
$1,500 4-H Scholarship
$1,000 JLA Scholarship
SDSU
Business Marketing

Angela Martineau

Valley Center
$1,000 Edwards Family 4-H Scholarship
$1,000 JLA Scholarship
Cal Poly SLO
Child Development

Isabella Locher

Escondido
$2,500 Mark Arabo Vocational Education Scholarship
Mesa College
Culinary Arts

Julia Smiley

El Cajon
$2,500 Karetas Family Endowment Vocational Education Scholarship
Merced College
Animal/Livestock Husbandry

Natalie Rocha

Encinitas
$2,500 Schenk Family Endowment Employee Scholarship
Cal State LA
Pre-Nursing

Andrew Shyffer

San Diego
$1,500 Howell Boys Employee Scholarship
UC Berkeley
Business Administration

Eryn Hoeffliger

Escondido
$1,000 Edwards Family Employee Scholarship
West Texas A&M
Animal Science

Natalya Huys

Santee
$2,500 Shewmaker Family Endowment Exhibitor/Participant Scholarship
UCSD
Civil Engineering

Baxter Simpson

El Cajon
$1,500 Mannen Family Endowment Exhibitor/Participant Scholarship
Chapman University
Film and TV Production

Lucy Shen

San Diego
$1,000 Ecke Family Exhibitor/Participant Scholarship
Columbia University
Biomedical Engineering

Adam Alegre

Escondido
$1,500 Brother’s Forever Scholarship
Palomar College
Agriculture Business

Shayla Haggerty

Poway
$1,500 JLA Scholarship
Cal Poly SLO
Agriculture Systems Management

Isabelle Schachner

Campo
$1,000 JLA Scholarship
San Diego City College
Veterinary Technology

Avery Strang

San Marcos
$1,000 JLA Scholarship
BYU Hawaii
Zoology

Board of Directors

Kirby Morrison, Chairman

Glenn Drown, Vice Chairman

Jim Edwards, Treasurer

Chana Mannen, Secretary

Mark Arabo
Lisa Barkett
Alyson Connelly
Sandra DiCicco
Jim Dredge
Susan Farrior
Joe Harper
John Hoeflich
George Karetas
Russ Penniman
D Prestininzi
Frederick Schenk
Alysha Stehly

Chairs Emeritus

Paul Ecke III
Roxana Foxx
Jon Liss
Stephen Shewmaker

Executive Director

Ashley Colburn McCaughan

Gala News

2026 Don Diego Gala, The Vista Press

Other Galas

2025 Don Diego Gala, The Vista Press
2024 Don Diego Gala, The Vista Press
2023 Don Diego Gala, The Vista Press
2023 Don Diego Gala, Del Mar Times 2022 Don Diego Gala, Ranch & Coast
2022 Don Diego Gala, Del Mar Times
2019 Gala, Ranch and Coast
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
More Media Articles