Coalinga Couple Creates $5K Scholarship Fund at Toad Derby

Five Coalinga High School seniors just got an unexpected boost toward their college dreams at one of California's quirkiest traditions.

At the 89th Annual Horned Toad Derby in Coalinga, California, five graduating seniors each received $1,000 scholarships through the newly created Mejia Family Scholarship. The awards mark the first year of the program, which blends community celebration with educational opportunity.

Francisco Mejia, a Coalinga High graduate, and his wife Dr. Fatima Mejia established the scholarship to support students from Francisco's hometown. The couple chose the beloved Horned Toad Derby as the perfect setting to announce their commitment to local education.

The Horned Toad Derby has been a Coalinga tradition since 1937, drawing crowds each year to watch horned lizards race down a track. Now it serves as the backdrop for launching students toward their futures.

Each of the five recipients will use their $1,000 award to support their college aspirations. The scholarships were presented during the evening portion of the derby, turning the festive atmosphere into a celebration of educational achievement.

The Ripple Effect

The Mejias' decision to tie their scholarship to a beloved local event shows how community traditions can evolve into forces for good. By anchoring their giving in the Horned Toad Derby, they've created an annual moment when the whole town celebrates both its heritage and its young people's potential.

The event also recognized local journalism contributions, with news anchor Jessica Harrington receiving the Mejía Family Scholarship Innovation Vanguard Award for her leadership in journalism and community storytelling. Harrington, a Coalinga native who helped present two scholarships, was also honored by the Chamber of Commerce for her work in the area.

The success of the inaugural year suggests the Mejia Family Scholarship could become as much a part of Coalinga tradition as the toad race itself, giving future graduates something real to look forward to each spring.

Five students just got proof that coming home to give back can change everything.