(Woodside, CA) June 12, 2020 – The Woodside-area Horse Owners Association (WHOA!) and the Mounted Patrol Foundation (MPF), joint sponsors of the $10,000 Woodside-area Equestrian Merit Scholarship Award, congratulate Homestead High School senior Rebecca Refaee on being awarded this new scholarship.
Both the Mounted Patrol Foundation and WHOA! share a deep interest in the next generation of equestrians, as well as a commitment to helping them achieve worthwhile goals, through each organizations’ ongoing activities and through their joint sponsorship of this scholarship.
This scholarship award is especially relevant at a time when financial assistance with education expenses is even more important to the next generation of equestrians.
Meet Award Recipient Rebecca Refaee
Rebecca’s community service experience includes serving as Assistant Animal Socializer and Youth Volunteer at Jasper Ridge Farm, and volunteering at Sunday Friends, where she helped low-income families learn English. In addition, she created Anatomy Whiz, an Apple app that teaches girls about science.
Rebecca, a Los Altos resident, is currently a novice rider for Stanford Red Barn’s Interscholastic Equestrian Team, has lettered in the United States Equestrian Federation’s High School Equestrian Athlete Program, and has been a counselor at Camp Cardinal, Stanford University’s youth horse riding camp, and a volunteer at Stanford horse shows and team tryouts.
A straight-A student, including advanced placement as well as college courses, Rebecca’s academic involvement includes serving her high school as Vice President of the Animal Welfare Club and President of the Spanish Club, and achieving her black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Rebecca’s community service experience includes serving as Assistant Animal Socializer and Youth Volunteer at Jasper Ridge Farm, and volunteering at Sunday Friends, where she helped low-income families learn English. In addition, she created Anatomy Whiz, an Apple app that teaches girls about science.
Her awards include being named a National Merit Scholar and AP Scholar with Honor, and she has been inducted into the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society, which published her research paper. She also received the Youth Mentorship Award at Jasper Ridge Farm.
Rebecca will attend Stanford University in the fall, where she plans to join both the dressage and hunt seat teams with the goal of competing all four years. She will study physics at Stanford, and conduct research, to prepare for a physics PhD program and ultimately, her dream career: scientific researcher.
Outstanding Applicants
Eligible applicants included high school seniors who attended schools in San Mateo, Santa Clara, and San Francisco Counties, and who had been accepted to and planned to attend a college, university or other continuing education program this fall. The $10,000 Woodside-area Equestrian Merit Scholarship Award will be paid directly to the recipient’s college, university or continuing education program and may be applied to the recipient’s tuition, fees, room, and/or board.
A number of high school seniors applied for the $10,000 Woodside-area Equestrian Merit Scholarship Award. The five-member selection committee, with two members representing each sponsoring organization and a committee chair representing both organizations, were captivated by each applicant’s strong commitment to equestrian involvement, academic excellence, and contribution to the community, as well as their impressive essays that displayed superb writing skills.
Applicants were involved with many local organisations: vaulting, dressage, and eventing clubs, Pony Club, Woodside Junior Riders, 4th of July Rodeo, 4-H, USEA, USEF, APHA, and Dream Power. Many of the applicants have or still are supporting CASA, Square Peg Foundation, Animal Assisted Happiness, local food banks, Abilities United, NCEFT, SPCA, Jasper Ridge Farm, and BOK.
Sponsoring Organizations
The Woodside-area Horse Owners Association (WHOA!) works independently and in collaboration with other organizations and local government to ensure that the presence of the horse in Woodside and the surrounding San Mateo County communities is recognized, protected, and promoted. Its mission is to preserve the fundamental role of horses in maintaining the rural character of the Town of Woodside and neighboring foothill communities, to enhance opportunities for equestrian activities, and to promote the enjoyment of horses in all their various roles. WHOA! envisions a community where horses and horse activities for equestrians and the general public are appreciated, and where the rural landscape, trail networks, and horse properties are preserved. Operating under the fiscal umbrella of the Woodside Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, WHOA! provides funding to local equestrian projects and programs, thanks to generous sponsors, volunteers, and the proceeds of its annual Woodside Day of the Horse celebration. Find out more at www.whoa94062.org .
The Mounted Patrol Foundation believes that horses and equestrian activities have helped create a vibrant, healthy community in Woodside, California, and the surrounding area. Historically, horses were essential to life in the United States for transportation, work and pleasure. The Mounted Patrol Foundation seeks to honor this legacy by continuing to support, maintain, develop and encourage equestrian facilities, activities and heritage in the Town of Woodside, the County of San Mateo and the State of California. Its vision also includes the preservation of horse habitats and trail systems to provide both opportunities and environments conducive to the enjoyment of horses for horse owners and the public at large. The Mounted Patrol of San Mateo County Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3), charitable organization that works in collaboration with local government, other public agencies and other non-profits to support and promote equestrian activities and facilities in the area. Learn more at www.mountedpatrolfoundation.org .
