Two Montclair High School Seniors Receive Scholarships from Monte Vista WD Board of Directors

The April 10 Board of Directors meeting at Monte Vista Water District (MVWD) included the annual presentation of two $1,000 scholarships. Montclair High School seniors Maria Farias and Ixchel Hernandez were awarded the “2019 Bruce J. Lance, Jr. Water Scholarship” at Wednesday’s board meeting.

The Bruce J. Lance, Jr. Water Scholarship was created in 2013, when the board adopted Resolution 669-13 commending Lance for his years of service as the district’s general counsel. The two scholarships awarded each year are in honor of Lance’s 44 years of extraordinary service to the district and the community as the agency’s general counsel. The scholarships have been awarded annually to Montclair High School graduating seniors who plan to attend college. This marks the seventh year the scholarships have been awarded in Lance’s name.

“Maria and Ixchel conveyed the importance of having clean, safe and reliable water, which is something we often take for granted when we reach for the faucet or take a shower,” said MVWD Board President Sandra Rose. “Their essays reflected on personal experiences and shared what conservation really means for their families and their community.”

Fourteen Montclair High School seniors submitted application packets, which included a written essay describing how their “perspective on water has changed during the recent statewide drought.” The essays were judged by a committee comprised of three judges: MVWD board’s public information committee — comprised of Director Tony Lopez and Director/Auditor Manny Martinez – were assisted by Montclair High School Counselor Alice Cornejo in making the final selection of the winning essays by Farias Hernandez.

The scholarships will assist Farias who will be attending the University of California Santa Cruz to study Environmental Science and Hernandez who plans to attend the University of California Santa Barbara.

Monte Vista Water District was formed in 1927 and provides retail and wholesale water supply services to over 130,000 people in a 30-square mile area, including the communities of Montclair, Chino Hills, portions of Chino and the unincorporated area between the cities of Chino, Chino Hills, Ontario and Pomona.