e-Edition
Sign up for email newsletters
to submit an obituary
For information on submitting an obituary, please contact The Mendocino Beacon by phone at 707.964.5642, or email at classads@advocate-news.com or fax at 707.964.0424.
Obituaries must be completed by 10 a.m. on Monday.
Sign up for email newsletters
e-Edition
MENDOCINO, CA — The Mendocino Coast Environmental Scholarship nonprofit group held a celebratory dinner for two college-bound students awarded scholarships, their parents, members, and donors to the nonprofit. According to Program Manager Rod Jones, over the past twelve years, the nonprofit had awarded a total of $75,000.
The two students chosen for the 2025 awards are Cate Wilson and Annabell Guinan, who attend school in the Mendocino Unified School District. Students had to apply for the scholarship, meet certain requirements, and attend an interview.
Applicants must be planning to attend a two-year or four-year accredited institution of higher learning and major in an environmental studies program. At the time of application, students must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and have completed or be currently enrolled in a science class or practicum, and demonstrate financial need.
They must also have been a resident of California for at least one year at the time of the award decision. The second phase of the application process is an interview with members of the nonprofit to discuss environmental concerns and challenges facing the world’s population.
One recipient is Catherine (Cate) Wilson, who pairs with her brother Jack Wilson with her common interest in environmental studies. Jack also earned last year’s scholarship award. Rod Jones noted, “The Wilson family seems gifted with siblings that are already invested in becoming future environmental leaders.”
He continued, “Jack has been making his way through U.C. Berkeley, feeding his passion for Lacrosse and taking science courses in his first year that included a study of extreme weather events.”
This year’s winner, Cate, plans to also attend U.C. Berkeley and focus on Environmental Science, English studies, and Fine Art. She has been an active high school student. She has interned at the Angelo Coast Range Reserve in Branscomb, backpacked in the Trinity Alps, and has won a first-place blue ribbon in woodworking at the county fair.
The siblings are also registered descendants of the Karuk Tribe from the Klamath and Trinity River areas and hope to assist in restoration projects in those indigenous areas, particularly in riparian zones.
The other award winner this year is Annabell Guinan, a graduating student who, according to Rod Jones, “seems to have lit the Community School on fire with her cannonball energy.” Annabell is not just a Californian. She holds dual citizenship in the United States and Sweden.
Jones commented, “Just like Cate, Annabell quickly racked up a number of university acceptances and decided she needed to have surf and sun added to her studies. So she’s off to U.C. Berkeley for the next academic year.”
Annabell’s interests lie in international relations and theater arts. Jones explained, “Longer range, Annabell sees maybe a future in law school and diplomacy work, coupling all that with a furtherance of her performing arts accomplishments and interests.”
Jones remarked that Annabell seems to have put her inability to sit still at school to good use. He said she is “volunteering with the League of Women Voters and directing and performing in a student play. She is also president of the Environment Club and helped to found and run the Northern California Youth Policy Coalition.
The Mendocino Coast Environmental Scholarship program is funded entirely by local contributions of $100 from each donor. A few contributors annually pledge considerably larger amounts.
This year, the nonprofit began an environmental practicum to expose junior and senior high school students to environmental protections and sustainability. The program brought in experts in various environmental fields for hands-on activities, and students also gained insight into the multiple applications of a college degree in environmental sciences.
If interested in learning more about the organization or donating to the nonprofit, please contact Rod Jones at rodjones@mcn.org.
Copyright © 2025 MediaNews Group
