ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS GRADUATING IN 2011:

The California Museum is now accepting applications for the Dreamers Challenge

The California Museum has partnered with Comcast, the California Department of Education and the California State Fair and Exposition to continue the California Hall of Fame-inspired scholarship. For your own inspiration, just ask California Hall of Fame inductees athlete Tiger Woods, inventor Steve Jobs, astronaut Sally Ride, animator Walt Disney and author Alice Walker. They changed the world with their words and deeds … and were even high school seniors once upon a time.

Watch a Comcast Public Service Announcement featuring these California Dreamers.

We believe that California is the greatest state because it has inspired the greatest legends … and now we want you to be inspired. Send in your musical masterpiece, your work of art, a short film, a drawing, an essay, a poem, whatever best expresses your innovative spirit.

Rules and Guidelines (.pdf)

Entry Form (.pdf)

The California Hall of Fame Dreamers Challenge is sponsored by The California Governor and First Lady's Conference on Women and California Travel and Tourism Commission.

The scholarship is underwritten by Comcast.

Dream big. Be inspired. Get rewarded.

The California Museum's 2009 Dreamers Challenge

The California Hall of Fame-inspired Dreamers Challenge scholarship winners were announced on December 1, 2009.

Comcast VP Johnnie Giles and The California Museum Executive Director Claudia French introduced high school seniors Radhika Mitra, of Fremont, and Paul Tran, of San Diego, to a crowded Museum lobby. Given large-sized checks, Paul and Radhika walked away with $5,000 to help them with any education costs in the future.

First Lady Maria Shriver spoke of their inspirational winning entries, which were both dedicated to helping others – either artisans around the world or California kids develop leadership abilities – and encouraged them to continue on their dreams of making a mark on history.

Congrats to Radhika, Paul and the twenty honorable mention winners! And good luck in whatever stars you seek to reach!

Paul Tran, The Preuss School UC San Diego, La Jolla
Entry: The Common Thread

Having grown up in the inner city, Paul started the organization The Common Thread dedicated to ending discrimination and helping youth realize their full potential and achieve their dreams. The Common Thread spotlights stories of youth who have been persecuted due to race, socioeconomics, gender, sexual orientation and religious beliefs. The organization sponsors a 3-day conference for youths with presentations from inspirational local leaders who have broken through stereotypes and engage in projects that foster awareness and the importance of social responsibility.

Radhika Mitra, Irvington High School, Fremont
Entry: Renaissance Dreaming

Radhika started an organization called Renaissance Now to help underprivileged artists and artisans all over the world. The organization conducts on-site vocational training, provides professional equipment, helps develop business models for exports and domestic sales and offers free publicity and promotion through the Renaissance Now, a free online store where artisans can sell their wares free of standard commission fees. Renaissance Now has over 200 members internationally. Radhika just returned from India where she held a training and donated over 100 tools to artisans.

The ten honorable mentions from Northern California include:*