Santa Barbara community members and UCSB students gathered on Friday evening for the fourth annual Guardian Scholars Holiday Celebration at the Montecito Country Club. The party, hosted by UCSB Regent Hadi Makarechian and his family, included opening remarks from Makarechian and UCSB Chancellor Henry Yang. The evening included appetizers and drinks in a pre-event soirée, a festive holiday dinner, and remarks from award-winning filmmaker and writer Antwone Fisher, who was in foster care.
The UCSB Guardian Scholars program supports around 120 students who have also been a part of the foster care system. The program is an academic and personal support system that provides various services to its students, such as financial aid advising, career guidance, and housing assistance. These services enable incoming students — many of whom navigate college in the absence of parents or guardians — to have some structured guidance. The program is also a network for students to meet other students with similar experiences to their own.
“I just really didn’t think that coming to college there would be other people I could connect with — with the experiences I’ve been through,” said Guardian Scholar Vanessa Gonzales. “It’s nice to know and to see those other people on campus. It’s like a little family here at UCSB.” The holiday party also unites community members and the Guardian Scholars. This connection serves as a networking opportunity for students and a way for Santa Barbara residents outside of the university to show these students their support.