Scholarship named for fallen Simi Valley soldier omitted from article

Your article regarding scholarships available through the Ventura County Community Foundation ("Scholarship money available for Ventura County students," Jan. 19) did not mention the Michael A. DiRaimondo Foundation.

This foundation, a fund of the Ventura County Community Foundation, awards at least one $10,000 paramedic scholarship every year.

The foundation is named after Simi Valley's first serviceman who died in service to his country in Iraq, a story which your newspaper covered.

Since its start in 2004, the Michael A. DiRaimondo Foundation has raised over $250,000, solely to provide scholarships to individuals who have the talent and desire but not the finances to become paramedics.

This scholarship gives the individual that opportunity. The first recipient was a Simi Valley resident.

In 2005 we awarded two $10,000 scholarships (both Ventura County residents), and we will award two scholarships this year.

I find it interesting that a Simi Valley newspaper would not include mention of a scholarship given by a Simi Valley family in your article. Tony DiRaimondo Simi Valley