Scholarships a tribute to late Padilla

In honor of the late evening and Saturday program monitor, a scholarship titled the "Martin Padilla Memorial Scholarship" will soon be made available to students looking to go into social work, counseling and veterinary science or medicine.
Padilla was killed in Pinole in a head-on car collision on Aug. 29. In his will, he included Contra Costa College, naming his intentions to leave funds from his estate to create a scholarship on campus.
"We've always talked about (starting a scholarship)," Martin's wife, Nanette Barce-Padilla, said. "I have to do it for him, because that's what he wanted."
Three scholarships, each worth $1,000, will be awarded annually to students who intend to go into the three above-mentioned fields.  
"It's just Martin," Foundation Director Linda Cherry said of Padilla's decision to start a scholarship. "It's very indicative of his support for the college and its students."
Contributions toward the scholarship have come from family members and friends of Padilla's, as well as staff members of CCC.
"(Padilla) was very unassuming, like ‘you named a scholarship after me? Why would you do that?'" Senior Dean of Students and long-time friend Frank Hernandez said. "He would have been a little overwhelmed and embarrassed, but very honored."
Padilla was an avid animal lover, saving two of his pets from animal shelters. This supported his decision to want to create a scholarship for students who want to study veterinary science or medicine.
His day job was working with developmentally disabled adults, which contributed toward the request to make other scholarships available to those who want to pursue a career in counseling or social work.
The application process will begin early next semester and the scholarship will be awarded to the students at the scholarship awards ceremony next spring.
If there are no applicants, then the money will be put back into the account for the following year.
"I'm happy I can do this for (Padilla) and to help the students in need," Barce-Padilla said.
Additionally, Barce-Padilla also gave her permission for the college Foundation to start the Martin Padilla Legacy Society to honor staff, alumni and retirees, as well as members of the community who agree to let funds from their estate planning go toward CCC.
Those who notify the Foundation of their decision to include the college in their estate planning will be introduced at the Hall of Fame Gala, to be held on Nov. 14.
Contact Lauren Shiraishi at lshiraishi.advocate@gmail.com.