BANNING, CA – The Morongo Band of Mission Indians has awarded four California Native American students $10,000 each through the Tribe’s 21st Annual Rodney T. Mathews Jr. Memorial Scholarship Program.
Since its launch, the program has awarded $710,000 to 71 Native American students attending universities across the country. The scholarships are open to enrolled members of federally recognized tribes in California.
“The Rodney T. Mathews Jr. Memorial Scholarship reflects Morongo’s commitment to supporting Native students seeking to secure a higher education,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “Each recipient represents the strength and promise of our tribal communities. By investing in their education, we’re addressing generations of inequity and honoring our shared responsibility to uplift the next generation.”
The 2026 recipients include Mary Pojas, a member of the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians who is studying American Indian Studies at San Diego State University and hopes to work in tribal law and serve on her tribal council. She also works with Inter-Tribal Sports, helping coordinate athletic programs for Native youth across Southern California.
Nusun Pojas, also a member of the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, will attend San Diego State University to study American Indian Studies with a focus on business and marketing. She plans to return to her community and help develop accessible tribal health services.
Kristian Zavala, a member of the Manchester Band of Pomo Indians, attends Sacramento State University and works at the California Rural Indian Health Board, Inc. She plans to continue serving Native communities after graduation, with the goal of returning closer to home to work for a Native American organization. Breana Schoeborn, a member of the Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians, is pursuing a degree in Business Administration at Southern New Hampshire University.
The scholarship honors the late Rodney T. Mathews Jr., a Morongo tribal member who died in 2004 after a career that included 20 years as an attorney in Banning and more than a decade as a judge pro tem.
“Rodney dedicated his life to justice and learning. We are very proud of all that he achieved, and it means so much to see his legacy live on by helping Native students pursue their own dreams,” said his mother, Eunice Mathews.
Recipients are selected based on academic success and community service. Applicants must be full-time students at an accredited college or university, complete 60 hours with a designated California Indian agency and be actively involved in the Native American community.