Jennifer Thoma Memorial Scholarship awarded to local ballet dancers
Bill Thoma shaking hands with Skyler Wemple and parents 2-12-20
–The Jennifer Thoma Memorial Ballet Scholarship, held at The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, has announced this year’s recipients: Skyler Wemple, age 15, from Atascadero, and Sarah Hill, age 15, from Arroyo Grande. Each dancer will receive a $2,500 scholarship which will provide support for each of them to attend a summer intensive ballet training program.
Skyler Wemple attends Mission College Preparatory High School and studies ballet at the Academy of Dance in San Luis Obispo. Wemple expressed that she could identify with Jennifer Thoma’s traits of reliability and humor. Local theater teacher Jennifer Blomfeld explained that Wemple “is a true team player, and always manages to foster positive discussions and bring the best out of her cast-mates.” She will be attending a summer ballet intensive in Salt Lake City, Utah early this summer.
Skyler Wemple, a 15-year-old dancer from Atascadero.
Sarah Hill studies through the Academy of Truth and Learning and participates in dance lessons at San Luis Obispo Movement Arts Center (SLOMAC). While overcoming obstacles that might prohibit her from participating in dance programs, her determination, resourcefulness and inherent artistic sensibility allow her to continue expressing herself through dance. Director Ryan Lawrence highlighted Hill’s giving nature through her volunteer work with a Parkinson’s Disease dance class. She is hoping to participate in a summer intensive in either New York City or Jackson, Mississippi.
Arroyo Grande dancer Sarah Hill and family with Bill Thoma.
Bill Thoma spoke about his wife Jennifer’s lasting legacy. “This scholarship was established to help local dancers realize their own dreams by providing support for dancers to attend summer intensive training programs. Jennifer was a selfless, caring person committed to quietly helping others. She touched lives in ways she never fully realized and will continue to do so into the future through this scholarship.”
“The Jennifer Thoma Memorial Ballet Scholarship is a wonderful gift to the dancers in our community which honors the life of a woman who cared about making a difference in the lives of others” said Heidi McPherson, CEO of The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County. “It’s a pleasure to witness the impact of Jennifer’s legacy in the lives of these young ladies.”
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. The scholarship has been awarded to ten dancers since 2012. Additional information about the Jennifer Thoma Memorial Ballet Scholarship is available online at The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County website, www.cfsloco.org or by contacting Senior Scholarship Program Associate, Angela Hollander, at (805) 543-2323.
About The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County is a grantmaking and education foundation supporting charitable work across our county. Since 1998, The Community Foundation has supported the county with grants and scholarships totaling more than $37 million. The Community Foundation’s charitable assets under management have grown to over $60 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.
