Workforce Scholarship Recipient Braving the Storm to Keep the Lights On

Tags: Education, Scholarships, Workforce Scholarship Recipients 2025, Workforce Scholarships, Youth Development

In Tahoe-Truckee, the barriers to higher education are steep: tuition costs that feel overwhelming, a cost of living 73% higher than the national average, and the added pressures of housing, work, and family. For many, the path to a career in healthcare, education, or the skilled trades seems out of reach. Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF) is working to change that. 

Since 2022, local donors, businesses, and foundations have joined forces to invest more than $350,000 in Workforce Scholarships, building a pipeline of essential professionals. In 2025 alone, TTCF awarded $520,100 to 27 students, including 17 first-generation college students, with an average scholarship of $19,263. These investments don’t just ease financial burdens—they open doors to careers that keep our community strong. For many students, they are the difference between a dream deferred and a future within reach.

Following the Footsteps of a Power Lineman

Growing up in Truckee, Pablo Guerrero looked up to his cousins, who worked as power linemen locally – highly trained electrical workers responsible for building, maintaining, and repairing the power lines that keep electricity flowing safely to homes, businesses, and entire communities. 

I’ve watched them respond to storms, work long hours, and still talk about how rewarding it feels to keep power flowing to homes and businesses. That combination of skill, teamwork, and service to the community made me want to follow in their footsteps.

But when Pablo looked into the cost of Northern Lineman College, the reality set in—the tuition and training expenses were far beyond what he and his family could manage, turning his dream into something that felt out of reach.

Community Support Lights the Way

Everything changed when Pablo received $21,000 in scholarships from multiple community sources: the Steve Shippy Vocational Scholarship ($5,000), the TDPUD Lineman Award ($7,500), and the Martis Camp Foundation Vocational Scholarship ($8,500).

The Steve Shippy Memorial Scholarship was designed to support individuals pursuing vocational and trade careers. It honors the legacy of Steve Shippy, a heavy equipment operator known for his leadership, integrity, and “heavy equipment acrobatics.” In recognition of his work ethic and generosity, the Peek Family Charitable Foundation established this award to help young adults pursue accredited vocational training. 

The Truckee Donner PUD Scholarships aim to build the future workforce needed to operate critical water and electric services. Applicants must live within TDPUD’s service area and hold or be the dependent of a TDPUD customer. 

The Martis Camp Foundation is dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for local students, with a particular focus on those pursuing vocational and technical career paths. 

Carrying Community Values Forward

When asked what this financial support means to him, he explains the scholarships are, “A big deal—it’s giving me the chance to attend Northern Lineman College and focus on my training without the financial burden weighing me down.”

Feeling the community support at his back, Pablo is preparing for a career that will keep communities safe and resilient. “It’s […] a vote of confidence from my community, which motivates me even more to succeed. Whether I’m working here or in a new place, I’ll carry the values this community taught me and look forward to giving back.”

He hopes to return home to inspire the next generation of Tahoe students to pursue trades that make a difference. His word of advice to future generations of scholarship applicants is simple.

Don’t hesitate to apply. Tell your story honestly, and let your goals show. You never know how much the community will want to support you until you put yourself out there.

Three Stories of Local Young People

Ask anyone who has ever sat on a scholarship committee, and they will tell you how often they are moved by the passion and grit of our local young people. TTCF is pleased to share the stories of three of our recent scholarship recipients. 

Denisse Vega Zarate: In 2018, Denisse received a TTCF college scholarship. After graduating summa cum laude from UC Davis, Denisse returned to the region to support her neighbors as part of the Sierra Community House team. Now, after two years acting as housing coordinator, Dennise received a 2025 workforce scholarship to attend Harvard University’s Master’s Program with the intention of advancing education policy reform. Here is her story. 

Natalie Diaz: After struggling to find stable housing while pursuing her associate’s degree in Construction Management at Sierra College, Natalie chose to study civil engineering to be part of the solution. In 2025, she was awarded $25,000 in workforce scholarships to continue her education. Natalie is now pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering with a minor in Construction Management, with the dream of designing and building affordable housing so working families can thrive in Tahoe for generations. Here is her story.

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Since the inception of TTCF’s workforce scholarship fund in 2022, TTCF has awarded $1,253,100 to 67 people looking to advance their career with higher education. This life-changing support is possible thanks to the generosity of many donors and longtime local philanthropists including Gina Vadnais, Richard and Theresa Crocker, Owens and Nancy Wallis, Earl and Georgia Smith, Peek Family Foundation, S.H.E. Foundation, Haas Family Fund at Marin CF, Baird Family Foundation, Martis Camp Foundation, Truckee Tahoe Airport District (TTAD), and Truckee Donner Public Utility District (TDPUD). Together, these partners are investing not just in individuals, but in the future strength and resilience of our region.