Fresno City College hosted a Renaissance Feast on Saturday March 9 from 6-9:30 p.m., which helped raise scholarship money for students reaching the goal of $115,000.

The feast, which has been around for 15 years, included theater performances provided by students, Greek music provided by faculty, food for attendees, and the opportunity for Renaissance enthusiasts to cosplay as ancient Greeks.

The Renaissance Feast theater performances have been around for two years and have increased attendance, according to Coordinator of Performances, Neil Becker. “We made considerable more money than last year for student scholarships,” said Becker.  

SCCCD employees also came to the event in effort to help raise money for students in need of scholarships. Funding for endowments also came from ticket sales, sponsorships, and live auctions.

FCC President Dr. Carole Goldsmith, who has attended the event for the past three years, was also in attendance and helped during the fundraiser. “We believe transforming life for education,” said Goldsmith, “the issue is that some of our students have barriers and events like this helps out with scholarships.”

Don who has attend the Renaissance Feast for 15 years said, “I want more money for scholarships because every dime we raise helps somebody to get through school.” He encouraged his friends, family, and colleagues to go the event to help raise money for students’ scholarships.

According to FCC Scholarship Specialist Josephine Llanos, “Students can apply to scholarships online.” The school looks over the academic scholarships, and later they pick students to go to the Renaissance Feast to receive their rewards.

Gina Cuttone, State Center Community College Foundation Board President, showed up to the event and helped present scholarships to students. According to Cuttone, the Foundation Board matches donations $5,000 or greater.  

The Central California Community Foundation gave $25,000 for the scholarship donation.   

Reedley college student, Austin Salazar, received a scholarship from the event and presented a speech to the crowd. The scholarships helped her to buy her books. Salazar has five children, which makes purchasing expensive learning materials difficult.

“It is an amazing thing to get a scholarship which it allows me to go to school still,” she said.