No corporate owners. No outside agenda.
Hawks Club members keep Noozhawk independent and accountable only to Santa Barbara County readers.
We’re grateful for your role in powering Noozhawk’s reporting.
Help us continue our mission in Santa Barbara County.
Get the curated morning briefing before your day gets busy.
Our free A.M. Report delivers daily at 4:15 a.m.
No paywalls. No subscriptions. Noozhawk is free for everyone!
If you like what we’re doing — or just want to see more Santa Barbara County news — click here to support our mission. 
Noozhawk
The freshest news in Santa Barbara County
A Santa Maria Valley teen’s push to take advantage of his time in the juvenile justice system to earn a high school degree and plot his future career earned him the inaugural Joe Howell Legacy Scholarship.
Andrew Jose Garcia Vasquez, 17, a graduate of the Santa Barbara County Education Office’s Juvenile Court and Community Schools program, received the honor Thursday afternoon during the Santa Barbara County Board of Education meeting in Santa Maria.
“This scholarship is not only a recognition of what you have done and what you accomplished, but it’s also about supporting what you will do going forward because of what you’ve accomplished so far,” County Superintendent of Schools Susan Salcido said.
Howell, a Santa Barbara resident, also participated in the presentation for the scholarship to boost students and adults pursuing college or career training.
Both Howell and Salcido noted the recipient’s role as a pioneer.
“We’re so proud that it’s you,” Salcido added.
“No one else can say they got the first scholarship. That will always be your honor,” Howell said.
After serving on the county board for 25 years, Howell retired in 2024 and inspired creation of the award to honor the students who “push forward, even when the road isn’t easy.”
“It’s really exciting to see this scholarship come to life,” Howell said.
He called supporting students who overcome challenges and pursue their dreams among a highlight of serving on the county board.
“The scholarship really represents much more because it honors not only you but all those who helped you along the way…” Howell told the teen.
Board President Marybeth Carty joined Howell and Salcido in presenting Garcia Vasquez with a framed certificate, $500 check, and bouquet “recognizing your accomplishments and your bright future ahead.”
The teen immediately presented the flowers to his mother in the audience, an action that Salcido noted was not scripted.
Hawks Club members help us provide free local journalism for everyone in Santa Barbara County.
Your support ensures your neighbors stay informed, whether they can contribute or not.
Former Hawks Club members like you helped build what we are today. Help us keep growing and serving the community you care about.
Your Hawks Club membership helped fund this reporting.
Thank you for supporting journalism during the summer months.
Have a friend who might like to read this article?
No time to browse for news?
Our A.M. Report delivers everything you need, right to your email at 4:15 a.m.
Quick, professional and 100% local news.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Noozhawk’s P.M. Report shows you today’s most-clicked Santa Barbara County headlines.
Every afternoon at 4:15 p.m., right to your inbox.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Beach BBQs and neighborhood gatherings are where local issues get discussed.
Get our free A.M. Report — sent daily at 4:15 a.m. with the key stories everyone’s talking about.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
In addition to his mother and grandmother, several other family members and friends attended the ceremony along with the educators involved in the county schools programs.
In thanking those who have supported him, Garcia Vasquez also mentioned his dad along with the uncles who urged him to earn his diploma.
“That’s one reason I actually pushed myself to do this,” the teen said.
He also recognized his various teachers who supported him, including at the court school and when he attended Pioneer Valley High School.
“My future goals are I really want to be a plumber and make some good money there. I just really want to support my family,” said Garcia Vasquez, who attended SBCEO’s Dos Puertas School.
One of his teachers, Amanda Daniels, sent a written message of support for her former student’s accomplishments since she couldn’t attend the event.
Daniels had encouraged the youth to apply for the award and wrote a glowing letter urging his selection.
“Andrew has faced life’s challenges, but he has not let those define him,” Daniels wrote in the letter read by one of her colleagues.
“While attending court school he showed great respect for both staff and peers,” she added, recalling his dedication to his studies and request to sit in the front row to ensure he remained focused on lessons.
“Andrew, you have started what I hope to be a long-lasting legacy of student achievement at the court school. We, as a school staff, are extremely proud of you. You have set a new standard for what is possible and we cannot wait to see the amazing things the future holds for you,” Daniels added.
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
With both daily newsletters, you’re fully connected to Santa Barbara County news.
Your past Hawks Club support helped build this coverage.
Ready to be part of what comes next?
Your Hawks Club membership keeps us running. Thank you.
Want to fund something extra? A one-time gift helps us tackle bigger investigations.
Noozhawk’s A.M. Report arrives fresh every morning at 4:15 a.m.
Professional. Reliable. And totally free.
Noozhawk’s P.M. Report contains the day’s most popular headlines from around Santa Barbara County
Every afternoon at 4:15 p.m, right to your inbox.
Choose your free newsletter
Our A.M. Report brings you curated morning stories at 4:15 a.m.
Our P.M. Report delivers the day’s most-read headlines at 4:15 p.m.
Join thousands of Santa Barbara County residents who stay informed with Noozhawk’s professional reporting!
P.O. Box 101
Santa Barbara, CA 93102
Noozhawk is a founding member of the Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers.
Site design and development by