Dana Point High School Seniors: Scholarship Opportunities Abound

DANA POINT, CA — Dana Hills High School seniors are asked to apply for scholarships available through the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce. Any senior is encouraged to submit an application, according to Chamber president Vickie McMurchie. The deadline to submit an application online is April 6.

"Our scholarship doesn't follow the typical scholarship format of the highest GPA or Valedictorian," she said. "We are looking for students who are setting off to learn a skill and return to to Dana Point to start a business or return to work here, students who are focusing on hospitality or tourism, or students who have had workforce development while in high school," McMurchie said.

This scholarship program, which has been open to student applicants for over 20 years, has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Richard Deffenbaugh Memorial Scholarship program.

"The scholarship is named in memory of Richard Deffenbaugh, as he not only spearheaded the fundraising of this scholarship for the past decade, but his business, Dana Point Auto, is one of the longest-standing businesses in Dana Point and is the most tenured Chamber member," a spokesperson for the Chamber of Commerce wrote on the application website. "Richard spent many years coaching and giving back to various nonprofits in South Orange County and he believed passionately in supporting his local community and investing in our future business leaders, whether they were attending four-year universities, junior college, master programs, or vocational schools."

In 2023, scholarships stem from donations to the program from Chamber businesses as well as a donation from the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce. This year, they are striving to achieve $5,000 toward the program which will be divided among the selected scholarship winners.

Residents or businesses who wish to donate toward theDana Point Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Program can donate online.