The James Ranta Scholarship

We are so very honored to share that there has been a scholarship created in our dad, Jim Ranta's name that will be given out once a year by the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table. The James Ranta Scholarship will be awarded to an aquatics athlete whose love of their sport, leadership, giving spirit, and ethics are demonstrated in the classroom and the pool. This award acknowledges student-athletes who value and incorporate into their daily lives, the following qualities: relentless enthusiasm, boundless passion for bettering the lives of others, positivity, kindness, leadership, integrity, and selflessness.

During their Junior year, awardees will be selected at each south county high school with aquatics programs.  These awardees will be chosen by their school’s athletic director, athletic department, and coaching staffs.  Each of these athletes will be honored at the SB Athletic Round Table luncheon.   A scholarship in the amount of $2500 will be awarded to one senior aquatics athlete at the SBART banquet in May.  This athlete will be selected by the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara with selection focusing on athletes planning to play their sport at a 2- or 4-year college.

As you all know, this would make Jim so proud as he truly was such a giving, caring person who would have loved to see someone with these characteristics be recognized and supported with their continued education and athletic journey. Over the last few months, many have asked if there is anything they can do for our family, and we feel that this is something our dad would be so proud of, as are we. We need to fundraise about $20K to make this a scholarship in perpetuity so any donation will help with that goal. The Water Polo Foundation is a non-profit so your donation will also be tax deductible. 

Thank you in advance for being a part of keeping his legacy, love for aquatics and helping others alive.