UKIAH, Calif. – Jessica Hernandez received the Adopt A Fifth Grader Scholarship, or AAFG, seven years ago while attending Oak Manor Elementary School.

Her scholarship was generously provided by Mendo Lake Credit Union which is now Community First Credit Union, who are long-time and loyal supporters of the program.

She remembers being excited when her name was called and receiving the award really started her thinking about going to college.

Hearing that statement from Hernandez is music to his ears, according to AAFG Program Founder Wade Koeninger.

Koeninger created the program to incentivize high school graduation and to encourage students to attend college.

The AAFG program successfully planted the seed about attending college and Hernandez did the rest.

Hernandez recently graduated from Ukiah High School with a 3.4 grade point average and has been busy taking summer classes at Mendocino College in preparation to begin her first semester at Sonoma State University this fall.

She plans to pursue a degree in criminal justice with a goal of becoming a probation officer.

When asked what lead her to that career choice, Hernandez said, “I had the opportunity to job shadow a probation officer and I loved it.”

For more information about the Mendocino College Foundation or to donate to any of their programs, call them at 707-467-1018 or visit http://foundation.mendocino.edu .