Denio’s Youth Scholarship Program Awards Handed Out

awarded three scholarships as part of its 2012 Youth Scholarship Program. Choy Saetern, Kurtis Stamm and Nicholas Carrasco, all current Denio’s employees, were awarded their $1,000 scholarships to help offset college expenses at a ceremony on May 17, 2012.

The education award is given annually to young employees who are succeeding in the classroom, show initiative, are active in community service and work at Denio’s.

“Each of these three students are hard workers and eager to take on new responsibilities,” said Ken Denio, owner of Denio’s Farmers Market and Swap Meet. “Choy, Kurtis and Nicholas are exactly what we look for in employees and are great role models to many of our other student employees. More importantly, these three are all excellent students and are active within the community.”

Saetern, 18, attends Highlands High School in North Highlands. He is ranked 12 in his class of nearly 175 with a 3.74 grade-point average. Beyond working part-time at Denio’s, he played football for the Highland Scots for four years, participated in track & field for three years and completed 80 hours of community service. Saetern will be the first in his family to attend college when he starts at CSU Channel Islands this fall.

Stamm, 18, will be also be graduating from Highlands High School and is ranked 23 in his class. Throughout high school, he participated in football, basketball, track & field and baseball. Stamm plans to use the scholarship to help with books and supplies as he attends Sacramento City College before transferring to Sacramento State to earn a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Carrasco, 18, a classmate of both Saetern and Stamm, has also been very active at Highlands High School. He played four years of football and baseball, wrestled for two years and participated in the school’s Mesa Club (Mathematics-Engineering-Science Achievement) for one year. After graduation he plans to attend American River College where he will enter the fire protection service program before attaining his EMT certification.

“This is one of our favorite times of the year,” said Denio. “We look forward to being able to reward some of our employees each year as they prepare to attend college and look towards the future.”

Denio’s is open every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. The Friday Farmers market is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.