Cal Worthington Memorial Scholarship
The Cal Worthington Memorial Scholarship is awarded in memory of Cal Worthington. Cal Worthington was a decorated WW2 veteran who later became a legendary car dealer and one of the most successful farmers in California. Cal flew B-17's over Europe and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service. He continued to fly his whole life. After the war, he became one of the largest car dealers in the United States, and was particularly well known for his television commercials that implored people to "Go See Cal," and featured his dog Spot, which was anything but a dog. In his later years, he was a major force in agriculture, as well, with some of the largest almond and olive ranches in the state. Although Cal never graduated from high school, he was a firm believer in education, hard work, and perseverance.
This Scholarship seeks to remember Cal by giving a young person an opportunity to continue their education in some of the areas that were so meaningful to Cal.
The Scholarship is administered by the San Juan Education Foundation. The Cal Worthington Scholarship fund will offer ten $1,500 scholarships and two $2,000. One qualified student from each of SJUSD's nine high schools and one student from the alternative education high schools will be eligible for a $1,500 level scholarship. One student from Encina High School and one student from San Juan High School will also be eligible for a $2,000 scholarship.
An "eligible senior" is a graduating senior who has expressed a serious interest in one of the following career paths:
automotive technology
the military
the digital (“media”) arts
aviation
business
agriculture, including the culinary arts.
These career paths are reflective of the many talents and skills Mr. Worthington exemplified.