2011 • Rian Dundon is an internationally published and award winning documentary photographer. A graduate of Pacific Grove High School and New York University, he is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in the Social Documentation graduate program at University of California, Santa Cruz. After a decade living and working in New York and Mainland China respectively, Rian returned to the Monterey Bay in 2010 to begin his graduate work at UCSC. Upon completion of his degree in 2012 Rian plans to remain on the Peninsula as he works to visually chronicle its unique cultural diversity and pressing social issues. He also looks forward to developing further his role as an arts educator in the area, nurturing an informed local citizenry by providing students with the creative vision and critical vocabulary required for the production of engaged and meaningful social analysis. It is Rian’s firm belief that we can strengthen the core of our communities’ shared experience by advancing the democratic formulation of new knowledge and cultural expression within them.
 

2011 • David Seagal is a graduate of Pacific Grove High School and the University of California, Santa Cruz.  He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science: Game Design and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Computer Science at UC Santa Cruz.  He also works as an instructor for the Digital Media Academy at Stanford teaching game programming to teens.  During his time as an undergraduate, David noticed the rise of smaller independent videogame development, in particular the growing indie game community forming in Santa Cruz.  Recognizing the expressive opportunities presented in this new medium, David seeks to return to Monterey after graduating to create an independent game studio, with the ultimate goal of establishing a similarly vibrant indie game community on the Monterey Peninsula.
 

2010 • Vanessa Cardinale is a graduate of Carmel High School, Monterey Peninsula College, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree at Monterey College of Law. Vanessa says that being awarded the Clark Foundation Fellowship is "a dream come true". Vanessa believes that the fellowship will help actualize her professional goal of becoming a child advocate attorney and will allow her "the experiences needed to be a creative and contributing member of the community, both as a student and future attorney." Vanessa currently serves as an intern with the Monterey Superior Court in the Self Help Center and volunteers her time with CASA of Monterey County, the Kinship Center and My Museum. She is also the Student Bar Association Representative for the Class of 2012 at Monterey College of Law.
 

2010 • Michelle Arnold is a graduate of the Stevenson School, the University of California, San Diego and is currently pursuing a Master of Adult Education degree at Oregon State University. When not attending classes, Michelle works full-time for CASA of Monterey County where she helps serve neglected and abused children by training and supervising volunteer child advocates. Michelle quoted Goethe to sum up her personal philosophy and gratitude in receiving the Clark Foundation Fellowship: "Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and help them become what they are capable of being." She shared that she felt it was a "rare and wonderful treat to not only be recognized for the work I have done but to be given the support to expand on my own capabilities". Michelle is also a dedicated community volunteer serving local organizations such as the Carmel Youth Center, Junior League of Monterey County, Meals on Wheels and the Forest Theater.
 

2009 • Andrew Weeks is a graduate of Pacific Grove High School, the University of California, San Diego and is currently enrolled in the school of Dentistry at the University of California, San Francisco. Andrew says that being named the Clark Foundation Fellow is "an honor" and plans to use the award toward his six year residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. When his residency is complete, Andrew expects to utilize his experience in public health to "elevate the health of the residents on the Monterey Peninsula." Andrew is also fluent in Spanish and has a strong background in public service, including work with non-profit organizations serving children and families unable to afford adequate dental care.
 

2008 • Christopher Lee Sentieri is attending the Panetta Institute for Public Policy where he is working toward a Master’s Degree in Public Policy. Chris has spent many hours volunteering at Youth Music Monterey and helped establish a local coalition, the Music and Arts Advocacy Partnership, which addresses critical issues facing arts education in our local public schools. An advocate of arts education, Chris is also involved with the regional chapter of the California Arts Project and the national Support Music Coalition. Regarding the Fellowship, Chris said, “Receiving such a wonderful gift is humbling and it will allow me to focus my energies more on my studies and dedication to the community.”
 

2007 • Teresa Silvia received her bachelor's degree from California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) in Integrated Studies with a concentration in Community Arts Management and is founder of the Marina Youth Arts Program in Marina. She is enrolled in Goddard College, Vermont, pursuing a Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Community Education. The title of her master's thesis is Community Arts: Arresting the development of racial and cultural stereotypes in children.

2006 • Amy Roberts is working toward her Master’s Degree in Public Policy. She is attending the Panetta Institute for Public Policy with special emphasis on Government and Politics with an anticipated graduation date of May, 2007. Amy is a Monterey County native and received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Davis. As part of her graduate studies, Amy had an internship with the City of Monterey where she developed a fiscal strategy for implementing the Monterey Peninsula’s storm water management program. Receiving the Fellowship Amy shared, “this was overwhelming and humbling and I am honored by the recognition.” She looks forward to utilizing her academic and professional experience in a long career in public services on the Monterey Peninsula. Amy was also selected as the Panetta Institute’s delegate to the 2006 Academy of Achievement Summit in Los Angeles, which recognized top graduate students from around the world.
 

2005 • Lindsey Cook is attending the School of Veterinary Medicine at University of California, Davis. "I grew up knowing I wanted to become a veterinarian, but I never knew what an incredible journey it would be to pursue this dream." Lindsey is a native of Monterey and graduated from Santa Catalina School. Lindsey said, "I learned at a young age how rewarding giving back to the community can be. When I was 15, I started volunteering at the Monterey Sports Center teaching kids how to swim and giving them encouragement. The experience helped me understand how one simple hour a week could influence so many people." She currently is a volunteer in the STAR Rider Program in Marina that focuses on therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults with disabilities. Lindsey plans on returning to the Monterey Peninsula upon receiving her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and setting up practice in the area. Lindsey shared, "Receiving the Clark Fellowship has helped relieve some of the financial burden from me. I am so grateful to have won such a generous scholarship especially from my community. Look forward to returning to the area and continuing to give back to such a close-knit community. The Monterey Peninsula is a unique and wonderful place and being away for eight years has helped me realize what a wonderful place it is, especially for raising our family."
 

2004 • Trevor Fogg, a Carmel High School graduate and a student at the College of Optometry at University of California Berkeley, was the Clark Foundation's 2004 Fellow. He has been active in student and community activities, including serving as President of his class at the College of Optometry and volunteering to teach children to swim, ski and play baseball. "Growing up with the privilege of such a supportive community it is easy to take it all for granted. However, moving to Berkeley for college has made me aware of the special community that exists on the Monterey Peninsula," Trevor said. "It has driven me to excel at optometry school so I may return to this unique community that supported me for so long. My personal experiences have taught me to value the importance of giving back to the community I call home." Trevor shared, “The Fellowship from the Clark Foundation was very helpful during my second year of optometry school as the burden of loans from a four year professional school (even a public one) is immense.”
 

2003 • Matthew Miller, born and raised on the Monterey Peninsula, is a graduate of Stevenson School and Stanford University. Matthew graduated cum laude from Boston University School of Medicine. After completing his residency at a number of hospitals, including Stanford University Hospital he plans on applying his skills as an orthopedic surgeon to residents of the Monterey Peninsula. Matthew Miller has been an active volunteer both while growing up in the community and while attending college. He looks forward to returning to the Monterey Peninsula and continuing to serve the community and its residents. Matthew shared, “The Fellowship award has been a wonderful opportunity for me. As the cost of a modern medical degree exceeds $200,000 any help makes a big difference. Your Foundation’s Fellowship makes it possible to focus on my medical training without as much energy spent worrying about how to pay for it all. Thanks to grants like yours I have been able to decrease my total amount of debt, allowing me more freedom in my future practice choices. As an aging populations, the peninsula has a growing need for joint surgeons. I look forward to returning to serve my community with my specialty training this field.”