ENCINITAS -- Max Barrow, a San Dieguito Academy student, and William Ackerman and Mykel Pyles, students at Sunset High School, each received $500 scholarships awarded by the San Dieguito High School Veterans. The veterans are dedicated to preserving the memory of former students of San Dieguito High School who gave their lives serving in the U.S. armed forces by honoring them through scholarships, aiding other scholastic programs and serving as a community resource for the academy.

This year's awards honored Army Pfc. Frank Eugene Dawson, class of 1943, and Pvt. Jesus Covarrubias, class of 1940, both of whom were lost in the European theater, and Army Air Corps 2nd Lt. Alexander Walter Hunt, class of 1941, lost in the Western Pacific during World War II.

The group was formed to build a memorial on the campus of San Dieguito Academy in honor of 19 classmates who have been killed in time of war. Dedicated on Veterans Day 2003, the funds remaining from its construction were used to begin the scholarship fund. Since then, nine scholarships have been awarded.

A reunion and celebration of San Dieguito's 70th anniversary will be held Sept. 13 through 16. Included in the festivities will be a golf tournament on Sept. 13 to benefit the San Dieguito High School Veterans Scholarship Program. Anyone interested in playing in the tournament or contributing to the scholarship fund should contact David Gonzales at (760) 750-4347 or e-mail sdvets1@sbcglobal.net. The veterans are seeking members to help support and promote its goals. New members do not need to have attended San Dieguito or be a veteran to join.