The KHR Family Fund and Sonoma International Film Festival collaborated to provide four 2024 high school graduates — including three students from Sonoma Valley High School — with full, four-year scholarships to pursue creative arts degrees at Sonoma State University.|
DANIEL JOHNSON
INDEX-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
Four seniors who graduated this spring — including three from Sonoma Valley High School — have been awarded full, four-year scholarships to pursue creative arts degrees at Sonoma State University (SSU) this fall.
Isaac Calderon, Richie Cross and Adriel Velazquez — all from Sonoma Valley High School — as well as Hanna Alvarez from Pivot Charter School North Bay in Santa Rosa received the scholarships, which were awarded by the KHR McNeely Family Fund and the Sonoma International Film Festival.
“These four students demonstrated throughout their high school careers the commitment and dedication needed to explore their individual creative voices,” said Ginny Krieger, executive director of the Sonoma International Film Festival.
The KHR Family Fund supports the arts, education, health, the environment and social justice in Northern California and worldwide. Kevin McNeely is president and CEO of the KHR Family Fund, while his wife, Rosemary, is the vice president and their daughter, Hannah Rose, is the program adviser and marketing director.
“Rosemary, Hannah and I are dedicated to inspiring our youth through our philanthropic giving,” Kevin McNeely said. “Removing any barriers and providing resources so deserving students can explore and advance their futures gives us no greater pleasure.”
The scholarships will cover the students’ housing, meals, tuition and equipment, as long as they remain enrolled in their creative arts program and adhere to guidelines.
Calderon, the son of Amee Folliard and Tranquillino Enrique Calderson, received a KHR Family Fund Creative and Performing Arts Scholarship. He has displayed talents in the fine arts, performing arts, music and photography.
“I’ve always been interested in all forms of the creative arts, from literature and writing to painting and sculpting,” he said. “At Sonoma State, I aim to focus on my art through painting, sculpting and any other forms I have the opportunity to experiment in.”
He also hopes to participate in the university’s literature, history, philosophy and social justice programs.
“And if possible, I would love to continue to explore dancing throughout my career at SSU,” Calderon said.
Peter Hansen, the video arts and advanced video productions teacher at Sonoma Valley High School, said that Calderon is “one of the most grounded, driven and strategic young men” he has met in a long time.
“He wants to be an art teacher, and was singularly focused on going to college, despite personal and financial hardships,” Hansen said. “His art and unique perspective on life are represented on canvas.
“Seeing his art is like seeing a story unfold — full of meaning and subtlety. He will make an awesome art teacher one day.”
Calderon said he is relieved and excited to receive the scholarship.
“I could never have imagined that I would have this new chapter in my life without it,” he said. “It allows me to envision a much brighter and fresh future honoring my artistic personality and passions. I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Cross was awarded a KHR Family Fund Cinematic Arts & Technology Scholarship. The son of Molly Caselli and Steve Cross, he is a cinematographer, photographer and short filmmaker.
After applying for the scholarship, he anxiously awaited a decision from Sonoma State University. He vividly remembers when the letter arrived.
“It took me about five to 10 minutes to let it sink in before I opened it, my whole future in my hands,” Cross said. “When I opened it and saw ‘congratulations,”’ my whole body felt the news and my mom began crying. Such a special moment for me!”
He said that the scholarship will help him to pursue his lifelong passion for the media arts and realize his dream of becoming a cinematographer.
“Filmmaking, storytelling and everything in between drive and inspire me every day,” he said. “This opportunity is being shared with my ultra-talented best friend, Adriel (Velazquez), as well, which means we can collaborate and have the time of our lives, expenses paid for. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Hansen said that Cross is known as “Richie Lens” because of his skill and innate abilities to capture stunning cinematic moments. His film, “Obedience,” won the Best Picture award at a Sonoma Valley High School Media Arts Program showcase.
“He sees light and subject differently than most,” Hansen said. “He seems to understand that the relationship between lens, light, camera and movement is like a language. Not many speak this language, but Richie was born to it.”
Hansen has enjoyed being able to provide Cross with high quality lenses and other equipment to help him explore and develop this craft.
