Paso Robles students eligible for $100,000 in Rotary Club scholarships
Awards range from up to $5,000 for one year to as much as $10,000 for multi-year recipients
– The Rotary Club of Paso Robles will award $100,000 in scholarships in 2025 to graduating students from Paso Robles High School and Liberty High School. The scholarships will support students pursuing education at trade schools, colleges, and universities.
The club set a goal 25 years ago to reach this milestone through its annual fundraiser, the Winemakers’ Cookoff. The event, originally spearheaded by Rotarian and winery owner Gary Eberle, has been held for more than two decades. Eberle, who was named the 2025 Roblan of the Year, led the initial efforts to establish the fundraiser.
The 26th annual event is scheduled for Aug. 9 at the Paso Robles Event Center. Tickets go on sale in April at winemakerscookoff.com. Attendees must be 21 or older. The event has sold out in recent years, with proceeds contributing to the scholarship fund.
Two committees oversee the scholarship program. The scholarship committee, led by Dr. Patrick Sayne, reviews student applications, while the investment committee, headed by Ann Hansen, manages the funding. Students applying for scholarships submit an essay on topics such as personal growth, ethical dilemmas, or challenges they have faced.
Awards range from up to $5,000 for one year to as much as $10,000 for multi-year recipients. The scholarships are open to all students, regardless of major or financial need.
Applications are being accepted until midnight on Feb. 13 through the Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County at cfsloco.org under the “2025 Rotary Club of Paso Robles Cullen Black Scholarship Fund.” The fund is supported primarily by the Winemakers’ Cookoff, with additional contributions from the family of Cullen Black, a former Paso Robles educator.
The Rotary Club of Paso Robles was founded in 1924 and participates in both local and international service projects. The club supports environmental cleanups, resources for the homeless, and educational programs for underserved populations.
Local beneficiaries of its efforts include Boy Scouts of America Troops 60 and 160, the Assistance League of San Luis Obispo County, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast, the Paso Robles Youth Arts Center, the Pioneer Museum, and the Paso Robles Children’s Museum.
Through fundraising events such as the annual golf tournament and the Winemakers’ Cookoff, the Rotary Club of Paso Robles has raised more than $1 million for scholarships.
For more information, visit pasoroblesrotary.org.
