All That Glitters is Golden at the June 13, 2024 Don Diego Scholarship Foundation Gala

Class of 2024 Don Diego Scholars

Glitz, glitter and down-home glamour marked Don Diego Scholarship Foundation’s Rhinestone Roundup Gala at the San Diego County Fair on June 13, 2024. Some 200 guests, many attired in country western apparel, packed the Corona Beach House to celebrate Don Diego’s Class of 2024 Scholars, honor 22nd DAA CEO Carlene Moore and COO Katie Mueller, raise funds for future college scholarships, and enjoy VIP seats at the evening’s culminating Old Dominion concert.

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Photos from the 2024 Dinner & Concert Gala!

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Tickets go on sale April 15, 2025

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Join Us at the Gala & Old Dominion Concert

Seating is limited so reserve your seats today!
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Ticket purchases are closed for this event.

Join Us for a Night of Celebration and Giving!

You’re invited to an unforgettable evening at the Don Diego Scholarship Foundation Gala, where we will honor our incredible 2025 scholars and celebrate the lasting impact of DMTC CEO and DDSF Board Member, Joe Harper.

Enjoy a night of inspiration as you meet our scholars, take part in exciting auctions, and experience a memorable program—all leading up to a VIP concert experience with country music star Jon Pardi. Don’t miss this special opportunity to support education, community, and the future leaders of tomorrow!

Friday, June 27, 2025

Corona Beach House, San Diego County Fair

Suggested Attire: Country Western

Gala Schedule

4:30PM Gala Reception and Silent Auction
5;30PM Dinner; Presentation of Class of 2025 Scholars; Live Auction, honoring 22nd DAA CEO Carlene Moore and Deputy Manager, Katie Mueller
7:30PM VIP Box Seats to Jon Pardi 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 Jon Pardi Concert

Your Ticket Purchase Is A Donation

to Don Diego Scholarship Foundation. Since its inception in 1986, the Foundation has awarded $1,416,844 in scholarships to 409 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.

$250

Gala Dinner Only

Individual ticket(s). Tables seat 8. Does not include concert tickets.

$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

Lisa Barkett
Alyson Connelly
Sandra DiCicco
Jim Dredge
Susan Farrior
Joe Harper
John Hoeflich
George Karetas
Kirby Morrison
D Prestininzi
Frederick Schenk
Alysha Stehly

Chairs Emeritus

Paul Ecke III
Roxana Foxx
Jon Liss
Stephen Shewmaker

Executive Director

Ashley Colburn McCaughan

Gala News

2024 Don Diego Gala, The Vista Press

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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
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