Twice in a month, a tri-county institution is vying for best-in-the nation honors, with a nice financial reward attached.

Just a few weeks ago, McGrath State Beach in Ventura County announced a regionwide effort to garner best state park designation and land a $100,000 grant from Coca-Cola to refurbish its aging sewer system.

Now comes word that Santa Barbara City College has been named one of the 10 best community colleges in the country, a move by the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program that puts it in the running for $1 million in prize money that will be divided among the top four finishers.

These national “reality show” competitions have put our region in an extremely positive light. We wish the McGrath State Beach folks luck in gathering enough votes to take it over the top and bring home the big prize.

For Santa Barbara City College, its final rank will be determined by a judging committee headed by former Michigan Gov. John Engler and former Secretary of Education Richard Riley, a former governor of South Carolina.
We have no doubt that SBCC has the credentials and the commitment to finish on top.