With the generous help of Books, Inc., 826 Valencia was able to hold a celebratory dinner for the 2007 scholarship winners on Thursday, July 12.

The four Bay Area high school senior recipients were: Sophia Villaseñor and Charly Uc, winners of the Nathan Jillson Memorial Scholarship, Pedro Perez, winner of the Irving Hochman Memorial Scholarship, and Monica Sanchez, winner of 826 Valencia's Young Author's Scholarship. It was a beautiful evening, for which the writing lab transformed into a candlelit dinner party in honor of the four amazing individuals. With graduation behind them and future plans for college in line, the students were able to relax and eat cheesecake while their families, some of their teachers, and all of their supporters at 826 Valencia celebrated their exceptional work. One member of the scholarship selection committee introduced each of the four students, highlighting examples of their eloquent writing and lifelong determination before calling them to the stage amidst wild applause. Afterward, Dave Eggers interviewed past scholarship winners in front of the crowd. These scholars, some one year into college and some graduated from, shared advice on every topic from roommates to finding a major they loved. The night ended with promises that the four new scholars would stay in touch with 826 as they too started to share news and expertise from their new adventures this fall. A very warm thank you to Margie Tucker, Calvin Crosby, and everyone at Books Inc. for making the dinner a huge success.