For more than two decades, Ocean Beach resident Katie Elsbree has helped make further education possible for high school students throughout San Diego. Elsbree got her start locally, founding the county’s first Dollars for Scholars chapter in Ocean Beach in 1983. “It’s important that each community support young people.” Elsbree said. “If you are trying to find the best way to get equality it’s going to be through education. Education is what’s going to make equality amongst all children.” Elsbree was recognized for her efforts in the organization with the 10News Leadership Award in July 2009. Last year, the nonprofit Ocean Beach Dollars for Scholars awarded more than $28,000 in scholarships to local high school students. Among the awards they hand out annually include the Ocean Beach Community Service, Point Loma Alumni and Peninsula Chamber of Commerce scholarships. “We have organizations that give us money and we give it out to the local Ocean Beach and Point Loma students,” Elsbree said. “We give scholarships to people that give back to the community. We like to think that we’re all paying it forward here in Ocean Beach.” Elsbree first began donating to local schools to honor Steve Rogow, a fellow classroom volunteer and musician who died of a heart attack at 42. The Steve Rogow Music Scholarship is still awarded annually. “We wanted to acknowledge what he had done for the community and to make a memorial for him. That’s how we started,” Elsbree said. “It has expanded and grown. More and more people have joined us.” In addition to the Dollars for Scholars chapter in OB, Elsbree has also helped start 17 chapters in various parts of the county. From North County to East County to the South Bay, Elsbree’s influence has been felt around San Diego. “We would love to have more people join us,” Elsbree said. “We’re always looking for people.” Ocean Beach Dollars for Scholars is under the national umbrella of Scholarship America, a Minnesota-based nonprofit. Elsbree said donations to the organization are completely tax-deductible. “If they give us $500 to give as scholarship, we write the check out for $500 and give it to the student in the name they want,” Elsbree said. For more information, call (619) 226-4133, or visit www.californiadollarsforscholars.com.