Two Mendocino County students headed for environmental careers receive scholarships

Annabell Guinan, one of two recipients of 2025’s scholarships from the Mendocino Coast Environmental Scholarship program, is off to UC Santa Barbara in the fall. She and fellow recipient Cate Wilson were honored at a May 12, 2025 vegan dinner at Stanford Inn and Resort in Mendocino, Calif. Guinan plans a career in environmental policy. (Rod Jones via Bay City News)

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.