Adolfo Gonzalez, the first recipient of the alumni-funded Mission Scholars scholarship, hopes to inspire his younger siblings (pictured here with him) to dream big. (Courtesy photo)
Adolfo Gonzalez, the first recipient of the alumni-funded Mission Scholars scholarship, hopes to inspire his younger siblings to dream big. (Courtesy photo)

The Mission Scholars community marked a milestone this summer with the first graduate to bestow a scholarship of his own.

Sebastian Harris, a Santa Barbara High School alumn (’21) and UC Berkeley economics graduate (’25), made a promise when he was still in college: grateful for the opportunities Mission Scholars had given him, he pledged to donate from his very first paycheck to support a future scholar.

So, just weeks after launching his career at the New York office of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Harris contributed $500 to Mission Scholars.

His new employer doubled the gift, turning the first alumni-funded award in Mission Scholars’ history into a $1,000 scholarship.

“Making this gift to another Mission Scholar feels like closing the circle,” Harris said. “I know what it meant to me when someone invested in my future, and now I am fortunate enough to be able to do the same for someone else.

“It’s a way of saying: you are capable, you belong here, and you have people rooting for you.”

The scholarship was awarded to Adolfo Gonzalez, a San Marcos High School graduate and current senior at the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business.

Gonzalez, who has regularly returned to mentor younger scholars and champion the organization in the community, was a natural choice, according to Mission Scholars.

“In selecting Adolfo, we honored Sebastian’s request that his scholarship go to a student pursuing a career in business,” said Kim Phillips, Mission Scholars co-founder/board treasurer. “Adolfo has consistently mentored younger scholars and been a tireless advocate in the community.

“His dedication is an inspiration, not only to his peers but also to his younger siblings.”

“It’s a great honor to receive the first-ever alumni scholarship from Mission Scholars,” Gonzalez said. “It means so much that Sebastian chose to support a fellow scholar. I can’t wait to share this with my siblings and show them that anything is possible.

“Of course, I also hope to give back as well in the future.”

The scholarship will directly ease the costs of attending USC, Gonzalez said. “This will help with course materials and other expenses at one of the most expensive universities in the country. Every dollar counts when you are a college student,” he said.

For Mission Scholars, the moment represents a vision realized. “Giving back to the program comes naturally to many of our scholars,” Phillips said. “We have many deeply dedicated alumni volunteers.

“Sebastian donating such a significant portion of his very first paycheck is yet another example of the fulfillment of one of Mission Scholars’ core promises: that supporting our students creates a ripple effect that will carry forward through the Santa Barbara community for generations to come.”

Harris credits Mission Scholars with helping define his journey. “Mission Scholars has shaped my path in more ways than I can count,” he said. “From navigating college applications and financial aid to building confidence at Berkeley and beyond, I would not be where I am without the guidance and encouragement I received.

“The organization didn’t just open doors, it taught me how to walk through them with purpose.”

Learn more about Mission Scholars at www.missionscholars.org.