SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - May 27, 2010) - In an effort to encourage students to create a sustainable future, the Barona Band of Mission Indians is accepting applications for its Barona Sustainable Environmental Scholarship. For the second consecutive year, college students with a passion for the environment and who are pursuing careers in environmental industries can apply for Barona's scholarship for assistance with college expenses.
"Our environmental scholarship program was so successful last year that we decided to offer it once again to help the next generation learn how to protect and preserve our environment," said Edwin "Thorpe" Romero, Chairman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians. "Conservation is important to all of us at Barona and we're honored to help students make our communities even more sustainable."
Barona will grant a total of four scholarships to qualified recipients. The scholarship funds can be used to supplement costs incurred through tuition, books and living expenses. The application deadline is July 15 and the winners will be announced on August 1.
In order to be eligible to apply for the scholarship, applicants must be studying a field related to horticulture studies, turf grass management, natural resources management or environmental sciences at a two or more year accredited college or university. In addition, applicants must have successfully completed a minimum of 30 semester units, with a minimum of 15 semester units of coursework from a field of study related to the environment. Applicants must be a full-time student with a minimum of 12 credits per semester and an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
"Being chosen as a finalist for the Barona Sustainable Environment Scholarship was one the highlights of my scholastic career," said last year's scholarship recipient Scott Goodman, a graduate of UC San Diego who is currently pursuing a Master of Landscape Architecture at Cal Poly Pomona with an expected graduation next month.
"All the staff seemed to deeply honor the awards they had bestowed upon the scholarship finalists and have immense pride in the culture of sustainability, which is obviously flourishing at Barona," he said.
For additional information and to download the application, please visit www.barona.com/about/community-relations. Applications must be postmarked by July 15 and mailed to:
Barona Resort & Casino
c/o Barona Sustainable Environment Scholarship Program
Scholarship Selection Committee
1932 Wildcat Canyon Road
Lakeside, CA 92040
The scholarships will be given based on the student's application, references, recommendations and personal interview. Each of the four finalists will receive $1,000 and one of the finalists will also receive an additional $1,000 after a final review from the Barona Scholarship Selection Committee comprised of representatives from the Barona Band of Mission Indians and Barona Resort & Casino.
The scholarship is part of the Barona Valley Environmental Sustainability Program on the reservation and at Barona Resort & Casino. The program includes a state-of-the-art water reclamation plant, water recovery program, landscaping and wildlife preservation, golf course turf reduction, resort conservation programs -- carpooling, recycling and energy efficient practices -- and community outreach to increase awareness of eco-friendly events and awards. Additionally, both the Barona Band of Mission Indians' Tribal Government building and the hotel at Barona Resort & Casino have achieved the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification for the design and operation of high performance green buildings.
About the Barona Band of Mission Indians
The Barona Band of Mission Indians, recognized by the United States government as a sovereign nation, has lived on the Barona Indian Reservation in rural eastern San Diego County since 1932. Prior to that, the Tribe lived on the Capitan Grande Reservation which was established by the federal government in 1875. Long before living on a reservation, the Tribe traveled across Southern California in tune with the seasons and what nature provided. Today, the sovereign nation, governed by an elected Tribal Council, is serving its Tribal members, their families, and sharing with the San Diego region. One of the most successful gaming Tribes in the country, Barona also owns and operates the Barona Resort & Casino, San Diego's leading gaming resort, casino and golf course. For more information, visit www.barona-nsn.gov.
Contact Information:
CONTACT:
Audrey Doherty
619-236-8397