Happy Valentine's Day! Donna Crocker's latest Newsletter for University Women.
LETTER FROM THE UWC PRESIDENT
UNIVERSITY WOMEN OF CAMBRIA FEBRUARY 2020 REAPING REWARDS
Seriously: Am I the only one who thinks it's like a Rod Serling "Twilight Zone" episode to be actually living in 202?! Donna Crocker
Ladies, we did it; we really did it this time! If you brought a tray of baklava, donated an afghan, handed out name tags, brought a friend to bid on our eclectic offerings, or sent in a donation when you could not attend, you are part of the success of our Holiday Luncheon and Auction. Miguel Sandoval, who facilitated the event at San Simeon Restaurant, was just as excited as the rest of us, as we calculated our earnings: Earnings which translate into scholarships for our graduating Coast and Leffingwell students.
Wait for it...............Treasurer Rosemary Flamion has been saying the $20,000 word this week. Think of it: Twenty $1000 scholarships, for example. Almost half our graduates' lives could be impacted by University Women of Cambria. Think positive: Things could come true if some of you would kindly sponsor a student, parent or counselor for our Scholarship Luncheon in May. Then all of our scholarship money could be used for..........scholarships!
Kim Maston, Debbie Markham-Humphrey and their minions deserve top credit for this achievement, of course. In addition, Treasurer Rosemary Flamion and the entire Board of fundraising veterans & creative minds make it happen. Thank you all!!!!!!
Photos Courtesy of Debbie Markham-Humphrey
OH, CHRISTMAS TREE!
Stars were mis-aligned for a wonderfully successful "Festival of Trees" last month at the Cambria Pines Lodge. The event was late, Dec. 9th, when most businesses had already purchased their trees. Our UWC tree "The Enchanted Forest of Cambria" was featured last on the program, with few bidders in attendance. Our team: Helen Pitton, Tish Rogers, Tigg Morales, Chris Fischer, Jackie Hogan, and I created a $2000 tree which went for $700. The bright side: Hey, that's almost a scholarship. And, hey, the process of working and learning with creative and talented friends is always worthwhile. When I say" You should have seen Our tree, I really mean: You should have seen YOUR tree. Our team represented UWC in this competition benefitting Cambria youth. Consider coming to the event and supporting UWC next year.
Photo Courtesy of Debbie Markham-Humphrey
TECH TREK
Last Spring (I've told this story before) I received a phone call from AAUW Interbranch Council (All the AAUW branches in SLOCO) with an offer to provide a $1000 campership to a Santa Lucia Middle School girl to attend Tech Trek STEM Summer Camp at UCSB. The Council had raised funds at a performance of "Blythe Spirit" at the Repertory Theatre in SLO. We were, in essence, their charity. Cambria had the only middle school in the County which had not participated in Tech Trek. I was asked to facilitate this first-time camper selection, because I was still a member of AAUW, and because I was president of University Women, which used to be affiliated with AAUW.
I loved this opportunity, but I felt we would need to send at least two students to get the program kick-started. UWC and Rotary responded positively with donations for a second and, possibly, even a 3rd student.
Unfortunately, this 2020 year was a year of cut-backs to the CS Tech Trek program, which had grown beyond capacity. Before the holidays, I received word that we had our camper ship funds guaranteed from the Council, but that there was not even a spot for one camper from Santa Lucia Middle School. UC Irvine had dropped out, leaving other campuses to pick up the spots and creating a 20% reduction in the California Tech Trek this year.
Before our trip to Costa Rica, in early January, I attended a Tech Trek training------oh, the CYA paperwork-------just in case we received a last minute spot for one of our girls.
When I returned from Costa Rica, an email told me that SLO AAUW had graciously donated one of their camper spots to us, and that we could proceed with the process of nominations from the teachers, applications, interviews etc.
Fortunately, I had already been in communication with Principal Kyle Martin at the Middle School and with our team of interviewers: UWC member Dr. Casey Erickson and Rotary Youth Services Chair and Camp Ocean Pines Administrator Cynthia Neer, and....me. we can do this.
This Tech Trek venture is so exciting. I just hope we can create the enthusiasm for this project with Sant Lucia teachers, students and their parents. Once a student has attended this life-changing camp, the momentum continues. Many Paso Robles AAUW campers went on to be Paso Robles AAUW high school scholarship recipients and further on the STEM careers, some preciously male-dominated.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE UPDATE
Co-chairs: Avril Allan and Penny Johnson
Jackie Hogan, Sharon Delp, Sharon Jordan-Evans
The Scholarship Committee is excited to let you know that the money available scholarships for 2020 has been increased to 19, or maybe even 20, thousand dollars! This increase is because of your generous support, and we thank you. This month we are anxiously awaiting the copies fo the students' applications, so that we can begin the review process. Avril
Julian and I received a last minute invitation from English teacher, Sarah Johnston, to mentor students as they completed their scholarship essays. During the final week of January, we were able to help a few students see the value of the occasional comma. Our biggest take-away was that our students are earnest and hopeful; our future is bright.
March 12th is the all-day Interview at Coast. In the past, UWC Scholarship committees have stayed after to make their final selections. Leffingwell interview day TBD. Exciting!!!
Monday May 18th MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
UWC Scholarship Luncheon at San Simeon Restaurant
SAFE N' SOBER GRAD NIGHT
With the encouragement of the UWC member Juli Amondei, and the approval of our membership, UWC donated $500 to the return of the Coast Safe n' Sober Grad Night 2020. This amount represented part of the funding we had set aside for a Tech Trek camper. Interbranch is funding our student this year, but we may need future Tech Trek funds.
QUE SERA, SERA
Rebecca Hendricks and Corrine Zinn have had to remain flexible as program chairs. Stuff happens. The stuff that happened regarding our scheduled February program was that: Dr. Joe Morrow's partner, Otis Archie, had a stroke. Honestly, in the hospital, Otis was standing up more than his visitors, and making jokes, although with a little slur in his speech. Otis has recovered his speech, and he looks as if he is the healthiest man on the planet; however, they are unsure about the cause or the chance of a reoccurrence. God bless them as they search for answers.
Switching it Up......New February 19th Program, same Robin's Venue
BOARD MEETING Very brief meeting afterward luncheon, focused on Scholarship.
Please let me know any other items that need attention.
The sour flowers are out, the blossoms are on the plum trees, and the Monarch butterflies are appearing one by one: It's spring; Our harsh (?) winter has finally ended.
February 7, 2020, Donna
I love you guys........................................................
