The Jennifer Thoma Memorial Ballet Scholarship, held at The Community Foundation, announced this year’s recipient: Koby Wescom. Wescom, age 15, is a Templeton High School freshman who has been dancing since he was ten years old and he will use the award to attend a 6-week summer intensive with the Ballet West Academy in Salt Lake City, Utah. Ultimately, he hopes his training will lead to a career in dance.
“Courage is hard but to improve myself as a dancer is necessary,” said Wescom. “I think of laying it all on the table for something you love: the good, the bad, the ugly, all for a means of not just an outlet of emotion, but an outlet for life.”
Wescom and his family live in Paso Robles and since joining the North County Dance & Performing Arts Foundation, he performed in several productions, including “The Nutcracker,” “Cinderella,” and “Let It Be”.
“We are thrilled by Koby Wescom’s passion and dedication to classical ballet and we look forward to a bright future for Koby as he continues to work hard through his training,” said Bill Thoma, founder of the Jennifer Thoma Memorial Ballet Scholarship.
“We are honored to partner with Bill Thoma through the Jennifer Thoma Memorial Ballet Scholarship to support our local youth as they reach to achieve their dreams and ambitions,” said Heidi McPherson, CEO of The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County.
About The Jennifer Thoma Memorial Ballet Scholarship
The scholarship is named after Jennifer Thoma, a longtime San Luis Obispo resident who passed away from cancer in 2012. After her death, her husband, Bill Thoma of Thoma Electric, and their two children, Jeff and Jessica, established the scholarship in Jennifer’s name to honor her passion for dance. Friends and peers of Jennifer were on the judging committee. Wescom is the sixth dancer to receive the scholarship since 2012. Additional information about the Jennifer Thoma Memorial Ballet Scholarship is available online through The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, via www.cfsloco.org or by contacting Angela Hollander at (805) 543-2323.
About The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County
Since 1998, The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County has supported our county with grants and scholarships totaling more than $28 million. The Foundation’s assets under management have grown to more than $55 million and provide support to all aspects of our community in perpetuity. For more information or to donate to any fund or establish a new fund, visit www.cfsloco.org or call (805) 543-2323.