Morongo awards $10,000 scholarship to Banning student – Banning Record Gazette
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Clear skies. Low 56F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Updated: September 24, 2025 @ 6:31 pm
Gabriella Salgado, an enrolled member of the Cahuilla Band of Indians, who has lived her entire life on the Morongo Reservation in Banning is awarded a $10,000 scholarship from Morongo. (Morongo/Submitted)
Gabriella Salgado, an enrolled member of the Cahuilla Band of Indians, who has lived her entire life on the Morongo Reservation in Banning is awarded a $10,000 scholarship from Morongo. (Morongo/Submitted)
A Banning area youth is among four Native American students statewide to have each received a $10,000 scholarship from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians near Palm Springs through the Tribe’s 20th Annual Rodney T. Mathews Jr. Scholarship Program.
Since its launch, Morongo’s Mathews Scholarship Program has provided $670,000 in scholarships to 66 Native American students attending universities across the country. Open to enrolled members of federally recognized tribes in California, these scholarships aim to reverse the long-standing underrepresentation of Native students in higher education where American Indian and Alaskan Native students still make up less than 1% of U.S. undergraduates.
“The Rodney T. Mathews Jr. Scholar- ship reflects Morongo’s commitment to supporting Native students who are overcoming obstacles to secure a higher education,” Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin said. “Each recipient rep- resents the strength and promise of our tribal communities. By investing in their education, we’re addressing generations of inequity and honoring our shared responsibility to uplift the next generation.”
The Banning Unified School District Board of Trustees proud- ly welcomed Banning High
School senior Mary Adeife Britto as the District’s new Student Board Member during the Sept. 11, 2025, board meeting.
Britto brings a strong record of leadership and service to her new role. At Banning High School, she serves as an officer for the Broadway Broncos, is a member of the National Honor Society and Associated Student Body (ASB), and previously held the position of Junior Class Vice President. She also represents students as the ASB School Board Member and participates in the Black Student Union and several other organizations on campus.
• Gabriella Salgado, an enrolled member of the Cahuilla Band of Indians, has lived her entire life on the Moron- go Reservation in Banning. She will continue her education at Cal State University Monterey Bay, where she is majoring in Marine Science. Salgado’s goal is to travel the world studying ocean life and return to her community to educate younger generations about marine ecosystems.
“This scholarship from Morongo not only makes it possible for me to continue my education, but it reminds me that there are people who believe in my potential and are invested in my future,” Salgado said. “Their support motivates me to work even harder and make the most of this opportunity.”
• Mary Pojas, an enrolled member of the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, lives on the La Jolla Indian Reservation in Pauma Valley, CA and is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in American Indian Studies at San Diego State University. Her future goals include working in tribal law and serving on her tribal council. She currently serves on her tribe’s Youth Council, where she helps organize events for elders and youth. Pojas also participates in cultural exchange programs, traveling across the country and abroad to share her tribe’s traditions.
“This scholarship opportunity means so much to me,” Pojas said. “My entire family is pursuing college degrees, and this support gives me access to more re- sources and helps lighten the load. I’m so thankful to the Morongo Band for believing in students like me.”
• Nusun Pojas, also a member of the La
Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, lives in Valley Center and will attend San Diego State University this fall to major in American Indian Studies with a focus on business and marketing. She plans to return to her community to help develop accessible health services for the tribe. She has been actively involved in intertribal sports, first as a participant, and now as an aide and serves on the Youth Council.
“This means so much to me,” Pojas said. “Coming from a family of six siblings and as a first-generation college student, I want to set an example and build a better future for my community. This scholarship is helping make that a reality.”
• William Feather, an enrolled member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes is pursuing his Doctor of Education (EdD) at Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawaii. A resident of Ukiah, he currently serves as a Special Education–Mental Health Counselor at Ukiah Unified School District. His goal is to serve as a school-to-prison prevention specialist and lead systemic reforms prioritizing Indigenous teachings and intergenerational healing. He previously received a Mathews Scholarship in 2019.
“My doctoral work is hard and often lonely — no one in my program looks like me. But I walk a bit taller today know- ing that Morongo believes in me and has believed in me for years. I cried when I found out I had won this scholarship. It means everything to me,” Feather said. “I can’t wait to give back to Morongo one day and meet the people who made this possible.”
The Morongo scholarship program honors the late Rodney T. Mathews Jr., a Morongo tribal member and Hastings Law School graduate who passed away in 2004. He worked as an attorney for 20 years in Banning and served as a judge pro tem for more than a decade. His mother, Eunice Mathews, said the scholarship program recognizes her son’s lifelong commitment to equity and education.
“Rodney dedicated his life to justice and learning. We are very proud of all that he achieved, and it means so much to see his legacy live on by helping Native students pursue their own dreams.”
Scholarship applicants are considered based on their academic success and community service. Candidates must be full-time students at an accredited college or university; complete 60 hours with a designated California Indian agency; and be actively involved in the Native American community.
The Banning Unified School District Board of Trustees proud- ly welcomed Banning High
A Banning area youth is among four Native American students statewide to have each received a $10,000 scholarship from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians near Palm Springs through the Tribe’s 20th Annual Rodney T. Mathews Jr. Scholarship Program.
For those who have a military fam- ily member or friend, the city of Beaumont offers a military banner program. Beaumont Military Banner Program was established in 2018 to hon- or and recognize hometown active-duty military personnel. Currently Military Banners are proudly being displayed on…
Beaumont hosted its 2025 State of the City event on Sept. 10 at the Four Seasons community center.
Underscoring its longstanding commitment to community service, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians recently donated $100,000 to support the Animal Action League, a non- profit dedicated to providing affordable spay, neuter and vaccination services for cats and dogs in underserved areas.
Smiles 4 Seniors held its annual Bowl-a-thon at the Morongo Lanes in Cabazon over the weekend.It was a full house at the bowling alley and the Helpful Hands of Honda were there to help at the event.The Banning Rotary group purchased a lane “for the good cause” and had fun doing it.
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