This year’s recipients of the Kiwanis Club of Rancho Murieta’s Turn Around Scholarships display their awards at the Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation’s dinner in May. From left are Chidinma Igbokwe, Aliza Ali, Kiwanian Jule Ledson, Ivan Voong and Jordan Rhyner Hurynh. Photo courtesy Kiwanis Club

RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - The Kiwanis Club of Rancho Murieta hosted its fifth annual Farm-to-Fork Dinner Sept. 18 on the Rancho Murieta Country Club’s event lawn, bringing the community together to support scholarships for students who have overcome significant challenges.

Organizers sold 107 tickets for the fundraiser benefiting the club’s Turn Around Scholarships. The awards help students who have made substantial improvements in their academic performance but may not qualify for traditional scholarships to colleges, universities or trade schools.

Make this mesh better: The evening also marked the final dinner organized by co-founder Carol Prinzo after putting her heart and soul into the event for five years.

The scholarship program carries a personal meaning for Prinzo.

“This particular fundraiser has touched my heart from a personal perspective because I personally experienced what the Turn Around Scholarship recipients have experienced,” she said. “I understand what they have gone through and how much the support means to them.”

Prinzo and fellow organizer Jeannette Edwards launched the fundraiser in 2022 after attending a Kiwanis board meeting to propose new community events. Edwards brought the scholarship idea from her former Kiwanis club in Campbell, and Prinzo suggested supporting it with a farm-to-fork dinner.

The first two dinners took place at Lake Clementia before the event moved to the country club in 2024, easing the organizers’ work while retaining an outdoor setting.

This year’s dinner featured a four-course meal prepared by Chef KC Brown, with Key Club members from Rancho Murieta, Sheldon High School and Pleasant Grove High School serving guests. Key Clubs are Kiwanis-sponsored service clubs that give high school students opportunities to volunteer and develop leadership skills. Prinzo praised the young volunteers for doing “a stellar job serving.”

Sue Caballero provides a golf cart shuttle for guests attending. Photo courtesy of Kiwanis Club

Volunteer table hostesses supplied decorative centerpieces. “The tables were beautifully decorated by some incredibly talented people,” Edwards said.

President Joanne Brandt and Prinzo spoke during the evening. Brandt thanked guests for supporting the scholarship program and recognized the student servers, organizing committee and table hostesses.

Prinzo also thanked Troy Schaffner, Rancho Murieta Association maintenance manager, and his crew for putting up the tents, along with the country club, chef, student servers and Kiwanis volunteers.

“You made my final event so worthwhile!” she wrote.

Although organizers had hoped to sell out, Edwards said they believed the Friday date and early starting time kept some people from attending. The club has already tentatively booked next year’s dinner, which will return to a Saturday.

The program’s 2026 scholarship recipients were recognized at the Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation’s dinner in May. They are Chidinma Igbokwe, Aliza Ali, Ivan Voong and Jordan Rhyner Hurynh.

The community’s continued support made Prinzo’s farewell event especially meaningful.

“We want to thank the RM community and are always happy with how the community supports our kids and the fundraising efforts Kiwanis puts on to support those kids,” she said.