Joyce Raley Teel Scholarship Recognizes Academic Excellence
WEST SACRAMENTO, CA – In 1999, Joyce Raley Teel established a scholarship program to assist Raley’s colleagues and their eligible family members in their educational pursuits. On Wednesday, May 27, 2009, Raley’s colleagues, family members and community leaders gathered to honor the remarkable achievements of ten students.
Each of this year’s Joyce Raley Teel Scholarship recipients demonstrates academic success, philanthropic drive and leadership among their peers. To date, the Joyce Raley Teel Scholarship program has awarded $264,000 in scholarship funds to deserving students.
2025 Placer County Fair in Roseville!
Congratulations to the top three winners:
$5,000 award recipient – Tanya Lawrence of Sacramento – Tanya moved across the country to study Marine Biology at the University of New England in Maine. When she felt the need to pursue a more challenging, fulfilling career, she trusted her instincts and took a different path without hesitation. Now, a Biochemistry and Medical Biology double major, Tanya’s interest clearly remains in the medical field, but what sparks her passion most is working with pediatric cancer patients. Chosen among a select few in her graduating class, Tanya looks forward to conducting research this summer on ways to alleviate pain for patients undergoing bone marrow cancer, truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a student just in her second year of college. Tanya’s mother, Dawn Lawrence, works in the Financial Services department.
$4,000 award recipient – Shasta Billings of North Highlands – An Environmental Engineering student at Cal Poly, San Louis Obispo, Shasta’s inspired by the latest technology and research used to conserve natural resources. Innovations for water treatment programs have driven her to get more involved in programs that improve water quality for humans and animals alike. By joining Engineers Without Borders, Shasta will apply her talents to programs that serve disaster-stricken areas in the United States and underdeveloped countries across the world. Shasta’s father, Dave Billings, works in the Maintenance department.
$3,000 award recipient – Rachael Kuintzle of Chico – Not too many people would say they¹re fascinated with the setting of a hospital at age eleven, but that’s how Rachael knew she wanted to go into medicine and science. With plans to transfer to UC Santa Barbara, Rachael will complete her course of study in Biological Sciences. With a strong desire to serve those less fortunate, she’s also traveling to underdeveloped neighborhoods in Africa and Brazil to serve the poor medically and emotionally, by giving professional services and hope. Rachael works at the Raley’s in Chico on Notre Dame Blvd.
Congratulations to the $2,000 scholarship recipients:
Amber Parkinson of Sacramento – With the goal of becoming a Registered Nurse in Labor and Delivery, Amber attends UC Merced and is also a resident advisor for fellow students. Amber’s mother, Melanie Parkinson, works at the Bel Air on Arena Blvd. in Natomas.
Brian Swart of Auburn – A talented musician, playing with many local ensembles, Brian looks forward to transferring to CSU Northridge and enrolling in the University’s prestigious music program. Brian works at the Raley’s store in Loomis.
Samantha Walz of Placerville – On track to complete her accelerated multiple subject teaching credential program at Cal Poly, San Louis Obispo, Samantha is also pursuing a single subject math credential, to meet the growing need for math teachers in elementary levels. Samantha’s mother, Kimberly Walz, works in the Human Resources department.
Congratulations to the $1,000 scholarship recipients:
Alexandra Cassanova of Rocklin – Alexandra is studying Sociology at George Washington University and aims to help underserved communities in the future through public policy administration. Alexandra’s father, Ken Cassanova,works at the Bel Air in Rocklin.
Eric Chavez of El Dorado Hills – Eric is transferring to UC Davis this fall to study foreign relations and political affairs, with ultimate plans to enlist in the Foreign Service. Eric works at the Raley’s in Folsom on Blue Ravine Road.
Lauren Galvan of Turlock – An active member of the CSU Stanislaus Pre-Med Society and a regular volunteer in her local hospital, Lauren is working toward a career in the medical field. Lauren’s father, Dan Galvan, works at the Raley’s in Turlock.
Amanda Paszek of Sparks, NV – Enrolled in the Nursing program at the University of Nevada, Reno, Amanda aspires to enter the medical field and looks forward to becoming a source of comfort for others during their healing process. Amanda works at the Raley’s store in Sparks on North McCarran Blvd.
Thank you to this year’s panel of judges:
* Carinne Binda Cunningham, Artistic Director for The Sacramento Ballet
* Margie Black, Executive Director of the National Kidney Foundation for
Northern California and Nevada
* Cecilia Delury, CPA for Delury & Associates
* Betty Diepenbrock, Retired Real Estate Broker & Philanthropist
* Margarita Jordana, Instructor at Placer School for Adults
* Oleg Kaganovich, Principal of DFJ Frontier Fund
* Ken Noack, Jr., Senior Vice President at Grubb & Ellis
* Kitty O’Neal, Radio Host on KFBK
* Major Douglas Riley, The Salvation Army
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2025 Placer County Fair in Roseville!