The Resurrection Catholic Church Parish Center in Escondido was the scene Sunday where 43 bright, deserving and grateful Latino students from San Diego County received college scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000.
The BECA Foundation, a countywide nonprofit group, was the enthusiastic benefactor. Besides the funds, the foundation provides moral support and guidance.
Led by President Greg Joslyn, the group raises funds for scholarships in various ways, including through a golf tournament, concerts and public donations. One such fund-raiser was a piano concert at the University of San Diego in June presented by Steven Arbues, former scholarship recipient and Manhattan College of Music alumnus.
Of the 43 scholarships given, 24 were for medical schools and 19 for general studies. To qualify, the students were considered on the basis of financial need, grades, letters of recommendation, an academic essay on why they deserved the scholarship, and an interview. The funds can be used for books, tuition and other college expenses.
The scholarship committee included chairman Andres Martin, a Ramona High School counselor and 1994 recipient) Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos director Shelly Anguiano; Andres Favela, academic adviser at CSUSM; Mary Gonzalez, from the San Diego County Office of Education; Anita Holt, professor of nursing at Southwestern College, and educator Aurelio Martin.
Presenters were Dr. Judy Churchill and her husband, Gordon, along with daughter Kristen and son-in-law Raul Cedena. The Churchills originated the BECA scholarships for physician assistants. Keynote speaker for the evening was Santa Ruth Saucedo, M.D., FAAP, recipient of a BECA scholarship in 1990.
Other recipients were Martina Alejandrino; Amy Alfaro; Christina Arias; Gina Camberos; Brisella Canto; Victoria Canto; Allison Castrejon; Vanessa Castro; Ivan Chavez; Marcella De La Pena; Amber Diaz; Viridiana Enriquez; Jose Escobedo; Carmen Espinoza; Jeanette Espinoza; Leticia Fierro; Mia Gallegos; Jaime Garcia; Victoria Garcia; Irene Gomez; Claudia Gonzalez; Inez Mendoza-Gonzalez; Alicia Grajeda; Delinda Lucio; Raul Lopez; Giovanni Ramirez-Lopez; Maura Mendoza; Florencio Munoz; Nichelle Navarro; Debbie Pena; Andres Reyes; Nansi Rivas; Arlene Rodriguez; Guadalupe Mora-Rubio; Ruth Salinas; Julio Salmeron; Monica Sanchez; Dora Silva; Gloria Tebelman; Charlotte Vasquez; Ariana Velez; Brenda Vertiz and Sarah Villalobos.
Contact the BECA Foundation at (760) 741-8246.
Jennifer Scott
For the North County Times
Christmas came early this year for the Old Mission Montessori School in Oceanside with the celebration of the "Christmas in July" arts and crafts extravaganza at Mission San Luis Rey.
More than 20,000 attendees and 180 artisans turned out for the recent event to sell merchandise ranging from jewelry to baby clothes to homemade quilts and the like. The 26th annual fund-raiser was held by parent volunteers to give community members a head start on Christmas shopping for the year.
Last year the festival raised more than $70,000, and event planners hope to have raised just as much, if not more, this year. Admission was free but visitors were encouraged to make a parking donation.
A farmers market offered an array of fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers. A kids' zone was set up with face painting, carnival games, food and prizes. A raffle was also held to raise money, and one lucky winner walked away with the prize ---- a 2003 Chevy Trail Blazer.
Fun summer food was also available ---- snow cones, hot dogs and ice cream. Several booths were set up to serve authentic ethnic food, including Mexican, Filipino and American cuisine.
Creative Foods donated salsa and Viva IGA Markets made a special donation of food. Manou and Kirk Allison donated smoothies.
Old Mission Montessori School Principal Wanda King and the school's many parent volunteers planned and put on the two-day extravaganza. Event coordinators were Shelly Kennedy and Debbie Henry. Kathy Dube served as publicity chairwoman. Cyndi Ottle was administrative assistant for the festival.
The committee of parent volunteers that organized "Christmas in July" include Meg Moyer, John Arguello, Alberto Beltran, Andy Martinez, Monique Bobadilla, John and Rhonda McCoy, Mason Mackey, Graham and Patty Farley, Patty Guiterrez, Mimi Mateo, Denise Benjamin, Michelle Godinet, Amanda Lugo, Ana Valeriano, Manou Allison, Laura and Keith Butler, Irene Shepard, Dave Shepard, Ophelia Walker, Jill Sivage, Jennifer Brown, Kathy Dube, Laura Visco, B.J. Hixon, Jennifer Crozier, Terri Monroe, Ron and Debbie McGowan, Mary Hoffman, Perri and Socorro Yosuico, Arlene DeLara, Mia Doi, Janie and Nick Newsom, Sandy Sagen, Victoria Schulze, Paul Quigley and Tony Morales.
Contact Old Mission Montessori School at (760) 757-3232.
Patty McCormac
For the North County Times
A few raindrops failed to dampen the spirits of the 60 golfers who gathered recently to make money for the Friends of Palomar College at its annual golf tournament.
Held at the Lake San Marcos Executive Golf Course, it is one of the biggest fund-raisers of the year for the group, which included dinner in the evening with additional supporters who couldn't make the golf game, said Otto Roemmich, president of the group.
A silent auction was also part of the evening's festivities.
Although the proceeds from this year's tournament have not yet been earmarked for a specific purpose, last year the group gave $10,000 toward the construction and furnishing of the student council room in the new student union building, he said.
"In the past weíve given money for books for students who could not afford them," said Roemmich, a former community college chancellor. "A lot of kids who go to community college go there on a very limited income. A lot of them are working, and many are married and have families. Anything we can do to help any student get through this school and maybe go on to a four-year institution is just great."
The Friends of Palomar College was founded about four years ago and now has about 150 members "who are believers in supporting community colleges," he said.
The other major fund-raiser of the group is a jazz festival upcoming in October.
Among the golfers and supporters were Jody Roemmich, his father, Al Roemmich, Pam Grasso, Nancy Chubbuck, Ann Roemmich, Clare and Jack Mertz, Louis Pallares, Paul Jordan, Ann Bulow, Joan Hausner, Jack Berggren, Irv Borsky, Duane and J.C. Garceau, Tom Auchter and Dolores and Arnold Kaluza.
To contact the Friends of Palomar College, call Otto Roemmich at (760) 591-0076.
By Penny Bonnot
For the North County Times
Opening day at Del Mar was truly fabulous ---- but not as fabulous as the "One and Only Truly Fabulous Hats Contest" at the track on opening day July 23.
"I think the hat contest spearheaded the success of our biggest event of all time with an attendance of 40,682," racetrack spokesman Walker McBride said. "It was the second biggest attendance of all time."
The contest, presented by Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino in the Plaza de Mexico, featured contestants who were as varied as their hats. But what they all had in common were their smiles and the satisfaction of achieving outstanding millinery perfection.
Hat designs included miniature racetracks (some with animated horses running around the rim), beautiful fresh-flower gardens, and multicolored feather creations. Other hats were adorned with stuffed animals, toys and fruit.
The Bing Crosby Grand Prize award-winner was Colleen Ruis-Jackson of La Mesa. She won a trip for two to the 2004 Kentucky Derby courtesy of Pepsi. Bonnie LaChiappa of Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino presented the award.
Todd Smith of San Diego took first place in the Most Patriotic category. Second place went to Sandra Durbin of San Diego and third place to Shalyn Cyr of Escondido.
Cynthia Clayton of San Diego won the category of Most Glamorous/Best Fresh Flowers. Ana Royer of Escondido took second place, and Kari Andre of Riverside took third.
Ruis-Jackson won for the Best Racing Theme category. Paul Lawrence of Vista won third place, and Lowell Smith of San Diego took third.
Lisa Rene Anderson of San Diego was the winner of the Funniest/Most Outrageous category. Second place went to Denna Holman of Lake Forest, and third place went to Jeannine Bonnet of Carlsbad.
Pepsi and Finlandia were supporting sponsors for the event.
The wearing of hats is a 64-year tradition on opening day for the Del Mar track season. The contest originated nine years ago.