Congratulations to our 2023 Scholarship Recipients:

Excellent Victor Gathumi

  Biola University
Major: Business Administration/Entrepreneurship

Louis Wilson

  Grossmont College
Major: Business Administration

“Thank you for believing in me so much and going out of your way to invest $1000 in my future and my goals. I’m now a step closer to success.  I plan on making your investment worthwhile.”

Daniel Romero

  Basic Training Airforce

“I am very thankful for the scholarship as I have never won anything in my life! It is very inspiring to know that my work and dedication does pay off. I’m very happy to know that someone like me has a chance to keep pushing and thriving. Thank you for all of your time and dedication on low income kids like myself. This scholarship will help me get by as I start a new journey in the Airforce.”

Stephanie Martinez

  California State University of Fullerton
Major: Criminal Justice

“This scholarship will help my family and I during my journey in continuing my education.  I would like to thank the donors for taking the time to read about my life and choosing me for this scholarship. This scholarship has made it possible to go through my first year in college without too much worry about my finances.”

Jazmine Renteria

  Cal Sate University of Los Angeles
Major: Kinesiology

“The past year was filled with much sorrow and grief and to finally achieve something that is much bigger than me means hope for my community and the many first-generations students who come after me.”

Isaac Cason

    Moreno Valley College
Major: Computer Science

“Thank you to the donors for the opportunity to attend college with less financial burden. This scholarship has given me the opportunity to go through my first year of college with limited amount of college expenses”

Sergio Sanchez

    California State University Fullerton
Major: Kinesiology

“Thank you for giving me this opportunity. It really helps me especially with the first semester since I’m getting surgery soon and I won’t be able to work as much. This scholarship takes off some stress while also allowing me to recover.”

Maria Gomez

    Palo Verde College
Major: Nursing

“Thank you for giving me a chance.  You’ve really helped me to be more confident in what I write.”

Nadia Valeria Chavelas

Fullerton College
Major: Criminal Justice / Forensic Science

“When I was awarded this scholarship, I felt blessed and proud of myself. As being the first generation in my family to go to college, the scholarship means a lot to me and my family. Thank you to the donors for believing in me.”

Rafael Alberto Marcelo

California State University Fullerton
Major: Psychology

“Thank you for giving me this wonderful opportunity of a scholarship. I accept this humbly and am extremely thankful. I come from a middle class family but my parents aren’t able to provide for my school funds, which means I work in order to pay them off.  This scholarship has allowed me to not worry about my book funds.  Thank you everyone!”

Jocelyn De La Torre

California State University Fullerton
Major: Criminal Justice

“Having this opportunity has given e more than I can ask for. Financially, I do not have to worry about my Fall semester. Wholeheartedly, thank you to all who made this possible!”

Tracy Chavez

Vanguard University
Major: Psychology

“I would like to thank you so much for the opportunity to receive this scholarship. I was worried that I wasn’t going to pay off my first year as a college student and now I feel stress free, as this helps me with that and I’m grateful because it will definately help me with my educational journey.”

Stephanie Salas

California State University Fullerton
Major: Criminal Justice

Mariyah Johnson

Alabama A & M University
Major: Sociology

“I started as a cadet at Sunburst when I first received a scholarship from the YRTTF OC and ever since then my college experience has been made financially easier. The people behind the foundation have seen me grow as an individual and it makes me very happy to know that they recognize my growth as an individual and have allowed me to receive yet another scholarship. I have been able to do great things at my university and I want to give a great big thanks to the foundation for helping me be able to experience the things I am while attending my university by giving me the financial help they have.”

Yair Rivera

Irvine Valley College

“As a First Gen student who is low income and underserved due to legal status, this money helps me out more then just basic needs and school supplies. This changes much opportunities for me. I feel like I don’t have to be worried about needs, depending on how wise I use the money. I really appreciate this wonderful opportunity. Thank you so much!”


Congrats to 2022 Scholarship recipients

Vanessa Molina Leon
Compton Community College

“There’s been many times where I’ve given up. I gave up on high school, so that’s when I attended Sunburst Youth
Academy. I’ve learned how to keep pushing forward and to never hold back on what I’m capable of. I never thought I
would be capable of earning a scholarship. It took me by a huge surprise when I found out I won a scholarship to You Run
This Town. You have pushed me even more to pursuit my education. I’m so excited to major in child development and
finally after thinking about it so long, I want to be kindergarten teacher. I am so excited to see what the future holds for
me. Thank you so much”

Aya Baazizi 
California State University, Fullerton

“I would like to say thank you for believing in me.”

Erik Sanchez
Orange Coast College

Ashley Joya Mercado
Los Angeles Valley College

“I am grateful for the scholarship I have been awarded. Writing the essay made me visualize myself in the future and all the goals I want to accomplish. I am thankful for the workshops I got to participate in because they opened my eyes and I learned lots of new skills that I will use to reach…achieve my goals.”

Lidia Alma Vargas
Cal State University Los Angeles

“Thank you for selecting me for the $1000 Scholarship. I feel very fortunate for having the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. This will help me financially for my education.  I know that this is another step taken to reach my goals. I hope that YRTTF OC continues to provide this great opporunity for students to receive financial help..”

Nancy Tecpoyotl
Cal State University Fullerton

“I would love to say thank you to the donors for their extreme generosity. Getting this scholarship is a blessing as it will help with the cost of school including purchasing a laptop which I’ve been saving for. May God bless you. This has encouraged me to do the same for others in the future.”


Congrats to 2021 Scholarship recipients

Mariyah Johnson
Southern University at New Orleans

“Receiving this scholarship boosted my confidence and really encouraged me to continue applying to colleges.  You Run This Town Foundation OC is incredible and changed my life and for that I’d like to give thanks to the entire team!”

Ruth Gutierrez Granados
California State University, Fullerton

“Thank you so much to all the donors who have made it possible for me to further my education and encourage me to achieve my academic goals. With your help I am able to focus on my school work and not have to worry about paying for school.”

Rhomieo Castillo
Long Beach City College

“Thank you for giving me this opportunity to further my education and find a good career in automotive. I appreciate everything your program does for the youth community.  Thank you once again.”

Angel Diaz
Cypress College

“This scholarship has enabled me to pursue my educational goals with more freedom than would otherwise be attainable. Knowing that I can come out of my first two years of college virtually debt free, gives me the courage to transfer to the CSU of my dreams.”

Talon Wolf   
Mt. San Jacinto College

Miguel Escobar
Long Beach City College

“Thank you for giving me this scholarship and giving me the chance to continue my education after my journey at Sunburst Youth Academy. I’m very thankful, and I will take this opportunity and expand my knowledge and skills.”

Maria Arellano
Vanguard University

“I would like to thank YRTTF OC for making going to college /university possible for us. This scholarship has helped me not have to worry about paying for school, but instead focus on my academics.  I am beyond grateful for this.  Thank you.”


Congratulations to our 2020 Scholarship Recipients:

  • Adeline / Cypress Community College
  • Jimmy / Vanguard University of Southern California
  • Maria Jose / California State University Dominguez Hills
  • Mariana / Fullerton Community College
  • Monica / Orange Coast College
  • Nancy / California State University Dominguez Hills
  • Paola / California State University Dominguez Hills
  • Suzan / Vanguard University of Southern California