Honoring Veterans. Funding Futures. Building Community.
Scholarships FORE Veterans unites veteran leaders, educational institutions, donors, sponsors, and community supporters to generate scholarship funding for veteran and military-connected students throughout the San Diego Community College District.
Choose the fastest path to help.
Donate
Support scholarship funding for veteran and military-connected students through the active campaign.
Get Tickets
Reserve your place for November 20th, 2026 at Carlton Oaks Golf Club in Santee.
Become a Sponsor
Place your brand beside a visible annual event that serves veterans, campuses, and the local community.
A district-wide mission built around veteran student opportunity.
Scholarships FORE Veterans was founded in honor of Loleni “Leni” Talo, a United States Navy Senior Chief who proudly served for 23 years before losing his battle with a brain tumor in January 2024.
What began as a scholarship created in Leni's memory evolved into something greater. Inspired by his lifelong commitment to service, and a vision to help more veteran students overcome financial barriers, Scholarships FORE Veterans was established to support veterans and military-connected students throughout the San Diego Community College District.
Today, every scholarship awarded reflects Leni's legacy of service, leadership, and dedication to helping others succeed.
Why it matters
Veteran and military-connected students need more than appreciation. They need scholarships, visibility, and a reliable support network as they move from service into higher education.
How support becomes visible
Visitors can quickly understand the mission, meet the leadership team, hear student voices, and see the district and community support surrounding the event.
Where support shows up
Support helps make scholarships, recognition, campus collaboration, and real student momentum more visible across City, Mesa, and Miramar College communities.
The people behind the mission are now visible.
San Diego Mesa College
Nate Talo
- Visionary and primary organizer of Scholarships FORE Veterans.
- Helps lead strategic direction, partnerships, and event coordination.
- Supports fundraising efforts and community engagement initiatives.
San Diego Miramar College
Adam Feria
- Manages budgeting, donations, and allocation of scholarship funds.
- Ensures financial transparency and accountability.
- Coordinates reporting and fund-transfer alignment with the Miramar Foundation.
San Diego City College
Nicolas Johnson
- Leads student involvement across SDCCD campuses.
- Coordinates printing and logo production for events, merchandise, and promotional materials.
- Promotes Scholarships FORE Veterans through campus and community outreach.
San Diego City College
Yogi Hernandez
- Builds relationships with sponsors, donors, and community partners.
- Acts as a bridge between Scholarships FORE Veterans and the military community.
- Helps veteran and military students access guidance and support.
San Diego Mesa College
Alma Godinez
- Manages website content, social media, and press releases.
- Documents events through photos, videos, and community stories.
- Handles correspondence, meeting minutes, and public relations materials.
The inaugural year gave the organization visible momentum.
A fundraiser people can see and feel.
Community connections on the course
Supporters and organizers in attendance
Campus-connected event imagery
Fundraising details that helped drive support
Branded presence at the event
Visible scholarship impact and recognition
Institutions and partners standing with the mission.
Scholarships FORE Veterans
San Diego Community College District
U.S. Veterans Magazine
City College Veterans Department
Mesa College Veterans Department
Miramar College Veterans Department
SDCCE Veteran Student Success Program
Veteran student voices make the mission personal.
Andrew Hernandez
City College Veteran Student · Air Force
“Scholarships FORE Veterans is an amazing experience because it allowed me to network with other veterans who have faced similar challenges with the transition to civilian life.”
Marsha Joseph
Mesa College Veteran Student · Navy
“I am so grateful for the Scholarships FORE Veterans event. This program inspired me to further pursue my educational goals, knowing I have a strong community behind me.”
David Smith
Miramar College Veteran Student · U.S.M.C.
“After 20 years of service, transitioning to civilian life is a significant shift. Organizations like Scholarships FORE Veterans ensure that the support does not end when the uniform comes off.”
November 20th, 2026 · Carlton Oaks
November 20th, 2026 at Carlton Oaks Golf Club, 9200 Inwood Dr., Santee, CA 92071. The tournament begins with a 10AM shotgun start and uses GiveButter as the active campaign path for donations and ticketing.
Choose how you want to support.
Choose the fastest path to help.
Donate
Support scholarship funding for veteran and military-connected students through the active campaign.
Get Tickets
Reserve your place for November 20th, 2026 at Carlton Oaks Golf Club in Santee.
Become a Sponsor
Place your brand beside a visible annual event that serves veterans, campuses, and the local community.
Contact Us
Have questions about the event, sponsorships, or how to get involved? We'd love to hear from you.
scholarshipsforeveterans@gmail.com