SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwired - Sep 10, 2015) - California Water Service Group (Cal Water) (NYSE: CWT) announced the award of $60,000 in college scholarships during a ceremony at the California State Capitol today. Two grand-prize recipients, Fariha Hameed from Westlake Village, Calif. and Sophia Leiker from Chico, Calif., were recognized for their outstanding academic achievement and community service.
Attending the ceremony were Senators Allen (D-Santa Monica), Pavley (D-Agoura Hills), and Wolk (D-Davis); Assembly Members Bonta (D-Oakland), Gallagher (R-Yuba City), Gomez (D-Los Angeles), and Mathis (R-Visalia); along with Cal Water President and Chief Executive Officer Martin A. Kropelnicki. Additionally, Hameed and Leiker were recognized during the Senate session by Senators Nielsen (R-Gerber) and Pavley, and also met with Assembly Member Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks).
In addition to the top two scholarships of $10,000 each, Cal Water awarded 20 scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $3,500 to students throughout the Group's service areas.
The scholarship program, which is administered by Scholarship Management Services, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is funded by Cal Water's shareholders, not ratepayers.
"One of Cal Water's core values is to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve, and by helping young people pursue a college education, we are making an investment in our young people's future," said President and CEO Martin A. Kropelnicki. "We are confident these remarkable men and women will go on to accomplish great things and represent their communities well."
"Fariha's years of academic excellence, dedicated volunteerism, and leadership have not gone unnoticed in our community, and we are so lucky to have her," said Assembly Member Irwin, who represents the 44th Assembly District, including Cal Water's Westlake service area. "I am honored to congratulate Fariha on receiving this scholarship, and I know she will continue to make our district proud."
Of Leiker, Assembly Member Gallagher, who represents the 3rd Assembly District, including Cal Water's Chico service area, said, "I was honored to join Ms. Leiker this morning as she was awarded a $10,000 scholarship from Cal Water. Sophia is a very bright young woman and does great work with young women in our community. I am glad Cal Water is able to assist in furthering her education at an outstanding university like Cal."
To be eligible for a scholarship, students must live in a Cal Water service area, plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college or vocational-technical school, and not already possess a degree or diploma from an accredited two- or four-year college or vocational-technical school.