March is usually a busy time at the Scholarship Foundation, and this year has been no different. Preparations are well underway for our annual scholarship awards ceremonies and associated events, as well as this year’s South Coast Business and Technology Awards ceremony. The latter will take place June 6 at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. Our north and south county scholarship awards events will take place May 22 and 23, respectively. Expect invitations soon!

On another front, the Scholarship Foundation completed the last of the season’s applicant interviews this week. The numbers speak for themselves: A total of 187 volunteers interviewed 1,460 applicants. This compares with 177 volunteer interviewers and 1,352 applicants last year. We very much appreciate the time and effort our volunteers put into this process. We couldn’t do it without you!

Like most interviewers, I enjoy meeting and interacting with applicants. Invariably I come away from the process with new optimism about our community. What’s more, it’s always good to be reminded why it is we do what we do.

I look forward to seeing many of you at our spring events.