The Ken & Muriel Quenzer Scholarship

The inaugural Ken & Muriel Quenzer Scholarship has been awarded to Sebastian Rosales Valdez from the Oakhurst Club and Elijah Ruiz from the Juvenile Justice Campus (JJC). Each well-deserving recipient received $1,500 to go towards the college of their choice. On June 17, Sebastian was the first to receive his award. His fellow Club members, BGC staff, board members, and both Ken & Muriel Quenzer were there to celebrate with him at Me-N-Ed’s Pizzeria in Oakhurst.

“I am so incredibly proud of Sebastian for receiving the Quenzer Scholarship. This award is extra special because it celebrates what the Boys & Girls Club has been to Sebastian over the last 8 years. Sebastian has dedicated countless hours to Club fundraisers, community service projects and club programs. He has not only shined at our club but has taken what he has learned throughout his time here and has become a leader in his community. He is a prime example of the future our organization encourages our youth to pursue,” said Jennifer Simmons, Oakhurst Unit Director.

Sebastian will attend Loyola Marymount University in the fall where he plans to master the art of film and change the film industry for the better. He is passionate about diversity inclusion and equality.

On June 29, Elijah received his award at the JJC. This is a great testament to how well Club staff build relationships with members who need us most, encouraging them to reach their full potential. Elijah’s past does not define him. His actions today define his future and we are happy to be right by his side to assist when needed. Elijah is an extraordinary young man with a great future ahead of him.

JJC Unit Director, Fidel Martinez said, “I have had the privilege of seeing Elijah mature into the young man he is today. Elijah has worked extremely hard to make sure he is a different and better person when he leaves incarceration. With the help of the Boys and Girls Club, he has made better choices in life to be a productive member of society! He truly is an inspiration and a perfect example for other youth I work with at the JJC. No matter what your life was like in the past and what mistakes you have made, you can always choose to change and make a better life for yourself.”

Elijah has a passion for welding and wants to own a shop one day. He plans to go to college to master his welding skills and learn how to operate a business.

Ken Quenzer is President Emeritus of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County and his wife Muriel Quenzer has been involved with the Clubs for 50 years. Because of their dedication to young people, the board of directors named this scholarship in their honor.

“In 2008 we celebrated our 60th anniversary with a fundraiser in Ken’s honor and decided the money raised would go to a scholarship fund. Friends, business partners, and community leaders were once again persuaded by Ken’s dry wit and arm-twisting to give generously to the cause of helping kids who need us most. We raised $50,000 in one night. Now this money will be distributed to teens with financial needs as they pursue their education after high school,” said Michael Goldfarb, Board Chair.

Many paths lead to great futures and Boys & Girls Clubs help young people find theirs. Whether it is trade school, college, military enrollment or straight to a career, Club teens are prepared to succeed in school, work and life. Scholarships are just one way we can support and cultivate success.

Jacklyn Kulow was recognized as the first Quenzer Scholarship winner in August 2021.

(Photo from the Juvenile Justice Campus are restricted.)