Two Mendocino County students headed for environmental careers receive scholarships

MENDOCINO CO., 6/5/25 — Mendocino Coast high school seniors Annabell Guinan and Catherine (Cate) Wilson were recently honored at a May 12 dinner hosted by the Stanford Inn by the Sea and its owners, Jeff and Joan Stanford. The two seniors each received a $7,000 scholarship from the Mendocino Coast Environmental Scholarship (MCES) program. Since 2014, the nonprofit has awarded 45 scholarships totaling over $75,000 to high school students who have demonstrated an interest in environmental protection and sustainability and are considering a career in that area.

Scholarship applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, demonstrate financial need, and plan on continuing their studies at a two-year or four-year accredited college or university with an emphasis on environmental studies. They must submit written essays and be interviewed by a three-person panel consisting of MCES donors. Guinan and Wilson are stars: both have grade point averages above 4.0.

Wilson will attend UC Berkeley in the fall, while Guinan will travel to UC Santa Barbara. Wilson intends to study Environmental Science and Fine Arts, with an eye toward a career in science research or consultancy. As a registered descendant of the Klamath River Karuk Tribe, Wilson has long-range plans to help her tribe with river restoration and salmonid protection. She gained on-the-ground science expertise working two summers at the Angelo Coast Range Reserve in Branscomb.

Guinan’s long-term interests are in both theater arts and international law and diplomacy, which might result in her seeking a law degree after college. As president of Community High School’s Environment Club, Guinan monitored school-based recycling efforts and helped establish the Northern California Youth Policy Coalition.

At the dinner, the two seniors were overjoyed with their scholarships. Guinan said she was grateful for the support, and Wilson said, “This scholarship helps me and my family so much. My brother already is attending UC Berkeley, and I’ll be joining him in the fall. The financial burden is heavy.”

First Steps Practicum

Beyond the long-established scholarship program, on April 17-18, MCES offered a two-day pilot program designated as a “practicum” for 9th and 10th graders. The goal was to inform high school students about environmental problems facing their generation and to teach about environmental protections and sustainable use of resources. The program paired experts in environmental fields to give the students on-the-ground exposure to real life on the coast.

Students met with Harbormaster Anna Neumann at Noyo Harbor and Don Powers of the state Department of Fish & Wildlife. Then students were whisked to the Parker Ten Mile Ranch for an afternoon with forester Linwood Gill and wildlife biologist Ellory Loughridge to see what sustainable timber harvesting and stream restoration look like.

The next day, students traveled to the Jug Handle State Natural Reserve to examine geological formations and finally trekked to Comptche to meet with Caymin Ackerman to tour her Big Mesa Organic Farm. To learn about the MCES scholarship and First Steps program: rodjones@mcn.org or 707-937-0549.