FINNIGAN SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WINNERS

Today, the Autism Society Inland Empire, the Finnigan family, and the Community Foundation for Monterey County are pleased to announce the recipients of the Achievement Scholarship awards through the National Achievement Scholarship Program.

Daisy Salcedo of Spring Valley has been awarded the 1st place scholarship of $2,000, Dylan Elliott of Redlands received the 2nd place scholarship of $1,500, and Simone Wooden of Studio City was awarded the 3rd place scholarship of $1,000. The Scholarship Selection Committee chose these individuals based on their academic achievements, future goals, ability to overcome challenges, and desire to encourage and support others, particularly those on the autism spectrum.

Daisy Salcedo, a 2024 graduate of Mount Miguel High School in Spring Valley, is a Sophomore Psychology major at Cuyamaca College. She will be transferring to San Diego State University in the fall to complete her bachelor’s degree in psychology, with the ultimate goal of earning her master’s degree and counseling others on the autism spectrum. Reflecting on her own experiences, Daisy shared, “once I began to interact with others that had autism I began to realize that I’m not as alone as I thought.” Describing her future career aspirations, she replied, “I’d love to help others of all ages with autism . . . learn to live more comfortably and feel secure with themselves.” Daisy’s creative interests extend beyond Psychology and include traditional and digital art, animation, writing, sewing, interior design and photography.

Dylan Elliott, who graduates this month from Springs Charter School in Temecula, will be majoring in Mathematics at Crafton Hills College. Dylan intends to pursue a career in Mathematics, Accounting or Computer Science and describes himself as someone who “likes to use brains to solve problems rather than brawns.” When asked to describe challenges he has overcome and to identify who may have helped him along the way, Dylan attributed his success to the involvement of his parents and support of his teachers, saying, “I deeply appreciate this assistance and feel that it is because of these people that I am where I am today.” 

Simone Wooden will graduate in June from CHAMPS Charter High School of the Arts in Van Nuys and attend Otis College of Art and Design in the fall, majoring in Visual Arts. She recognizes that “being creative is a big part of my life and helps me to cope with my disabilities.” The Selection Committee was impressed by Simone’s initiative and entrepreneurial spirit in starting her own cookie business (including inventing an Ube Sugar Cookie recipe to celebrate her Filipino identity) as well as her involvement volunteering (and providing cookies for) her local community’s disability-inclusive prom event. Simone’s goals include becoming a professional animator focusing on character design, and eventually, creating shows about neurodivergent people of color.

The Matthew Paul Finnigan Memorial Scholarship Fund honors the memory of Matthew Finnigan, a young adult with ASD whose life was taken before he could achieve his goal of helping others. Matthew was attending college in Monterey and planned to use his educational interests in STEM fields, as well as experiences facing and overcoming challenges, to research and analyze biological and environmental factors and develop interventions that might reduce the symptoms of ASD. When asked what is truly important in life, Matthew wrote, "You have a legacy that will live on as long as their stories about you keep being told," and reminded his reader to ". . . always look on the bright side of life." 

This permanently endowed fund was established through gifts from the Finnigan family and friends, matching funds from Chevron, and additional funding from the Autism Society. The mission is to assist students with ASD whose interests align with Matthew's to realize their educational goals.

The Matthew Paul Finnigan Memorial Scholarship program is open to California students with ASD (DSM-IV or later criteria) studying full-time or part-time and pursuing a career in the fields of Psychiatry, Psychology, Statistics, Chemistry, Math, researching ways of reducing the challenges of Autism, or a career which will help adolescents on the autism spectrum. The Autism Society Inland Empire is honored to assist the Community Foundation and the Finnigan family in the application and selection process for this important award. 
 

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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Sandra Dixon Shove at 1-951-220-6922 or email autismscholarships@gmail.com.