CATE Scholarships
Virginia Reid Scholarship
This scholarship was created in memory of Virginia Reid, an elementary teacher in Oakland for 42 years who also was president of NCTE back in the 1970s, and taught elementary educators at Mills College.
Eligibility: An elementary school teacher who has never attended a CATE Convention.
Henke Scholarship
The Henke Scholarship was created in memory of Bill and Anne Henke. Anne Henke (1933-2019) was a teacher and principal in the Chaffey Joint Union High School District. Bill Henke (d. 2001) was also involved as an active member in the Southland Council, including attending and working as the registrar for the Living Tree Conference for 26 years.
Eligibility: A mid-career teacher (more than 10 years’ experience) with leadership potential who has never attended a CATE Convention or who has not attended in the past 10 years.
Fristrom Scholarship
The Fristrom Scholarship was created by Anne and Kermeen “Punky” Fristrom. Punky served as CATE President from 1976-1978, and continued in CATE leadership positions for the next four decades, including Convention Coordinator for many years. Punky was a teacher and administrator in the San Diego Unified School District. His wife, Anne, was also extremely involved in CATE, serving as treasurer for many years. Punky earned CATE’s Distinguished Service Award in 1985; Anne earned it in 2015.
Eligibility: A new teacher (fewer than 10 years’ experience) with leadership potential who has never attended a CATE Convention.
Hidden Gems Scholarship
The Hidden Gems Scholarship has been created to advance participation from underrepresented groups to amplify their voices. With the intent to disrupt the status quo, this scholarship aims to uncover the power of hidden voices, cultural backgrounds, and perspectives within English Language Arts classrooms.
Eligibility: Two scholarships will be awarded: to a teacher from an underrepresented group, and to a teacher candidate from an underrepresented group.
CATE Connectors Scholarship
The CATE Connectors Scholarship is funded by the CATE Connects initiative. Hosted by CATE’s council presidents, the scholarship provides funding assistance to the candidate who has participated in at least one of four CATE Connects seminars and submits a letter of reflection about the seminar’s application to their relationships with colleagues, students, and their own classrooms. Council presidents review all applications and reflective statements and determine the nominee by December 5 of the year preceding convention. Funds available and the scholarship’s scope are determined annually based on CATE Connects revenues.
The California Association of Teachers of English is proud to congratulate and honor the following award winners:
Henke/Fristrom Scholarships
2026 Scholarship Winners
The Henke Scholarship Awardee:
Misty Ubina, CAHELP DM SELPA, Apple Valley
2025 Scholarship Winners
The Fristrom Scholarship Awardee:
Clarissa Readen, Orleans Elementary School, Orleans
The Henke Scholarship Awardee:
Kathryn (Kate) Moore, Vallejo High School, Vallejo
2024 Scholarship Winners
Fristrom Scholarship:
Enrique Solis, PUC Triumph Charter Academy, Sylmar
Henke Scholarship:
Sara Mortimer-Boyd, Los Angeles City College
2023 Scholarship Winners
Fristrom Scholarship:
Morek Annie O’Rourke (Redwood Council)
Jessica Mosteller (Greater San Diego Council)
2022 Scholarship Winners
Henke Scholarship:
Jamelle Jones, High Tech Elementary North County, San Marcos
Fristrom Scholarship:
Adriana Ponce, High Tech High Mesa Middle, San Diego
Jillian Bowman, High Tech High Elementary North County, San Marcos
Carmen Silvey, Mills Middle School & CSU Sacramento, Rancho Cordova
Courtney Greer-Brown, Vistamar High School, El Segundo
2021 (not available to post)
2020 Scholarship Winners
Henke Scholarship:
Sarah Gluck Perez, Ventura Unified, Ventura
Fristrom Scholarship:
Lauren Parker, Stone Ranch Elementary, Poway
2019 Scholarship Winners
Fristrom Scholarship:
Haley Adams, Freedom Middle School, Bakersfield
2018 Scholarship Winners
Anne Henke Scholarship:
Katie Olson, Mater Dei Catholic H.S., San Diego
Fristrom Scholarship:
Desirae Long, Hidden Valley Middle School, San Diego
Virginia Reid Scholarship:
Hannah Cook, Sacred Heart Parish School, San Diego
2017 Scholarship Winners
Fristrom Scholarship:
Liqa Moin, Jordan Middle School, Palo Alto
Anne Henke Scholarship:
Star Pedron, Our Lady of Fatima, Modesto
Kathleen Cecil Scholarship:
Ashley Olio, Adda Clevenger School, San Francisco
Virginia Reid Scholarship
2025 Winner
Hailee Janae Maran, STREAM Charter School, Oroville
2024 Award
Sarla Sohl-Dawson, Carver Elementary School, Long Beach
2018 Award
Hannah Cook, Sacred Heart School, Coronado
2017 Award
Gina Sciarrillo, Adda Clevenger School, San Francisco
2012 Award
America Vasquez, SCTE, Fairhaven Elementary School, Orange
2011 Award
Breanne Romano, CCCTE, William Burnett Elementary School, Milpitas
2009 Award
Yessinia Oroxco, SCTE, Major Lynn Mokler School, Paramount
2008 Award
Elizabeth Keenan, FACET, Cesar Chavez Elementary School, Madera
2007 Award
Vivian Cabrales, CCCTE, Christopher Elementary School, San Jose
2006 Award
Marissa Ochoa
2004 Award
Shelley Vizcarra, Pinedale Elementary School, Fresno
2003 Award
Jabari Anderson, E. Morris Cox Elementary School, Oakland
Hidden Gems Scholarship
2026 Winners
Jacquelin Phillips, Noli Indian School, San Jacinto
2025 Winners
Shant Pierce Avakian, Paradise High School, Paradise
Nathalie Michelle Hernandez, CSU Stanislaus, Turlock
CATE Connectors Scholarship
2026 Scholarship Winner
Caroline Rangel, CSU Long Beach