Guenne Sarmiento Receives Steven Drypolcher Memorial Scholarship from Zephyr Real Estate

SAN FRANCISCO, July 20, 2017 -- The 21^st Annual Meritus Scholarship Awards were presented recently at the KQED offices in San Francisco. Zephyr Real Estate, a long-time supporter and contributor, has renamed its scholarship this year to The Steven Drypolcher Memorial Scholarship, in memory of the son of Zephyr’s Founding Partner, Bill Drypolcher. Bill is a long-time supporter of Meritus, both personally and professionally and has served on their Advisory Council.

Guenne Sarmiento receives Meritus Award from The Steven Drypolcher Memorial Scholarship

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/040d558c-76c1-4531-a391-17c4e4b19c06

Guenne Sarmiento from Lowell High School received the scholarship and plans to attend the University of California, San Diego. “A degree will carve pathways toward so many opportunities I cannot even imagine,” she commented. “I am ready to expand my horizons and my real passions.”

This year Meritus awarded $840,000 in scholarships to 60 students across the Bay Area. Recipients were selected based on academic achievement, financial need, resilience and a grade point average between 3.0 and 3.7. Meritus works with students from low-income communities who greatly desire higher education yet may otherwise be overlooked. “Meritus Scholars are the future,” commented Executive Director of Meritus, Diana Wolf. “Our students demonstrate the best in our communities, and our shared society has much to gain from the leadership and voices of these driven young people. We look forward to seeing all that they will accomplish, in college and beyond!”

In addition to Guenne’s scholarship, friends and family of Steven Drypolcher awarded an additional scholarship to Ronald Phelps from Lincoln High School who will attend the College of Idaho in Caldwell, Idaho.

Meritus College Fund was founded in 1996 and invests in socio-economically disadvantaged, yet highly motivated, high school students. The fund provides scholarships, individualized advising, and career development in the belief that higher education is a critical step in addressing income disparity for eager and talented youth. To date, Meritus has awarded over $10 million, and sent over 700 students on to higher education. More than 97% percent of the recipients are the first in their family to go to college, and Meritus students have an 88% percent graduation rate.

“What a privilege to see dreams realized for these motivated students who are poised to make their mark in the world,” commented Randall Kostick, President and CEO of Zephyr. “They are indeed our future.”

The Meritus fund is supported through donations from groups and individuals who all endorse the philosophy of creating educational opportunities for those who might otherwise be left behind. To learn more about how you can participate or apply, visit the website at www.meritus.org.

About Zephyr Real Estate
Founded in 1978, Zephyr Real Estate is San Francisco's largest independent real estate firm with nearly $2.3 billion in gross sales and a current roster of more than 300 full-time agents. Zephyr’s highly-visited website has earned two web design awards, including the prestigious Interactive Media Award. Zephyr Real Estate is a member of the international relocation network, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World; the luxury real estate network, Who's Who in Luxury Real Estate; global luxury affiliate, Mayfair International; and local luxury marketing association, the Luxury Marketing Council of San Francisco, and the Artisan Group. Zephyr has six offices in San Francisco, a Marin County office in Greenbrae, a San Mateo County business center in Burlingame, and two brokerage affiliates in Sonoma County, all strategically positioned to serve a large customer base throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information, visit www.ZephyrRE.com.

Contact: Melody Foster
Zephyr Real Estate
San Francisco, CA
415.426.3203
[email protected]