We Make a Living by What We Get

VTADVOCATE, SCHOLARSHIP EDITION

AUGUST 2015

WE MAKE A LIVING BY WHAT WE GET,

BUT WE MAKE A LIFE BY WHAT WE GIVE.

Since 2012 I have appealed to VTA membership to help the VTASF maintain its unique status in California as the only association scholarship fund that not only provides thousands of dollars in scholarships to non-dependent graduating seniors,but also to our own dependents for up to four years. This is our legacy, VTA, our one claim to fame. That our small membership has voluntarily provided nearly $700,000 over the last 28 years is simply mind boggling. Unfortunately, based on decreasing participation over the last several years, the prospects for the future of VTASF are not good.

My pleas have ranged from the logical: “They’re all ‘our’ kids—the vast majority attended Vista’s elementary and middle schools, as well as its high schools.”

To the emotional: “Many of our recipients are the first in their family ever to graduate, let alone go to college.”

To the specific: “If several hundred non-contributors were to pledge even a few dollars a month, we’d be able to help so many more VUSD students.”

This time, perhaps against my better judgment, I’m going to be blunt: It’s common knowledge that for much longer than a decade, Vista teachers have gotten less pay than their colleagues in other districts. In “the old days,” however, that fact didn’t prevent 45-49% of us from contributing to VTASF. Now, even after a 9% raise, we have fallen to 35%, the lowest participation rate in 20 years…at a time when college has becomefar more expensive, and VUSD has three high schools.

When VTASF began in 1988, the theory was that newer teachers, at the lower end of the salary schedule, would give a small amount, and as they advanced through the steps, they would increase their contributions. Yet, when I mailed 190 letters to $1-$3 contributors last spring, less than five people responded with even a $2 increase! So much for theorizing I guess.

But let’s be honest: At least those 190 people contribute something. How about those of you who can’t find your way to give a single, tax-deductible dollar ten times a year? Really? It’s hard to imagine how even the lowest paid first-year teacher can’t participate at that level.

The future is clear: As older, higher contributors retire, younger ones will have to step up, and more teachers, elementary and middle school included, will have to contribute. Otherwise, the VTASF will be forced to drastically curtail its giving. For years I’ve heard so many people bandy about the phrase, “It’s for the kids.” Well, this is one situationwhere it truly is for the kids.

The choice is yours.

VTASF SCHOLARSHIPS, 2015

The VTASF Selection Committee is very pleased to announce the recipients of the 2015VTA Scholarships. Thanks to the generosity of 486 contributors (35% of members), we were able to provide $39,350this year, the Fund’s 28th anniversary. Awards were divided among 79 graduating high school seniors and 12 college undergrads. Since its inception in 1988, the VTA Scholarship Fund has awarded $673,525 to more than 1700deserving scholars.

The awards and the students' VUSD schools of attendance (or their parent's connection) are as follows:

$1000 (LEN DEFABIO MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS)

Jenna CarpenterMV, HAN, RMMS, RBV

Britni ChauTH, RMS, VHS

Baylin HeringtonRMS, VHS

Daughter of Kerry Herington, AVHS

Magnolia MeimandBH, MMS, RBV

Jonathan MendezOL, VMMS, MVHS

Mallory MuehlbaurCAS, MMS, VMMS, MVHS

Melody MuehlbaurCAS, MMS, VMMS, MVHS

Austin MurrellGV, TH, RMS, VHS

Emily SepulvedaMVHS

Hai TranGV, OL, VIDA, RBV

$800

Yanet IbarraGV, MMS, RBV

Marissa MediciEMP, RMS, VHS

Nicole MorenoMM, RMS, VHS

Angelica PeñaCAS, MMS, MVHS

Hayley PetittEMP, RMS, VHS

Juliette ReeseMVHS

Theodore ThomasMV, HAN, RMMS, RBV Anthony YamashiroRBV

$500

Mireya AlbarranMMS, RBV

EmsleyAllgaierRBV

KayAnnaAmmansMVHS

Olivia ChunkaBH, MMS, RBV

Emily CruzGV, MV, RMMS, PAL, VVA,

And VHS

Marissa CuevasMM, RMS, MVHS

David Fa’atui’eseMM, AL, EMP, VIDA, RMS,

And VHS

Maria HallbergCV, VMMS, MVHS

Lesley IbarraOL, VMMS, MVHS

Adrian JuarezVIDA, RMS, VHS

Veronica MartinezBH, BO, GV, TH, RMS,

MMS, RBV

Julian MoralesMV, CV, RMMS

Jasmine TerhallGPA

$400

Brooke BestCSU ChicoDaughter of Jennifer & Chris Grainger, VHS

Harmony ButlerSan Diego MiramarDaughter of David Butler, RBV

Kassidy KingEMP, MVHS

Blake LepireWillamette Univ.

Son of Rick Lepire, VHS

Finn McGrathUniv. of UtahSon of Duff McGrath, VHS

Rachel SchneibelCAS, MMS, RBV

Michelle SommerGreat Oak HSDaughter of Greg Sommer, SVHS

Maya VavraCal Poly SLODaughter of Mark Vavra, SVHS

Brock WilliamsPalomar College

Hayli WilliamsLake, MMS, VHS

Todd WilliamsPalomar CollegeDaughter & Sons of Dan Williams, VHS

$300

Andrew AkmanFallbrook HSSon of Michelle Akman, MM

Brody BarnhillLake, MMS, RBV

David ButlerMurrieta Mesa HSSon of David Butler, RBV

Raylene DeLauroAL, RMS, VHS

Austin GreenleeMM, RMS, VHSSon of Olga, CAS, and Mac, VVA

Elise LearyEMP, MMS, RBVDaughter of Tim Leary, RBV

Evan LepireRMS, VHSSon of Rick Lepire, VHS

Andrew MoynihanLake, MMS, RBVSon of Susan Moynihan, MMS

Aurven Murrell GV, TH, EMP, AL,RMS, VHS

Adrianna VillarrealMM, RMS, MVHS

Alexandra VredenburghCarlsbad HSDaughter of Joe Vredenburgh, RBV

$250

Nadia ArredondoVVA

Ricardo IrizarryGen. Murray

Aleshanee VenturaAVHS

$200

Danielle BaileyBO, AL, RMS, VHS

Veronica CastellanosRBV, VHS

Michelle ChapmanBH, TH, CV, MMS, RBVDaughter of James Chapman, BH

Martin CaudilloCV, HAN, RMMS, RBV

Devon EsguerraLake, MMS, RBV

Nicholas FerreiraeTulane Univ.Son of Ron Ferreirae, RBV

Chloe GroganAL, RMS, VHS

Emmanuel GutierrezBH, MMS, RBV

Brendan HamillLake, MMS, RBVSon of Sean Hamill, MVHS

Cynthia HernandezCAS, MMS, RBV

Cody KohnMM, RMS, VHSSon of Dwayne Kohn, BH

Catherine MalCSU ChicoDaughter of Patti Noeske, VHS

Andres MarcialVIDA, VHS

Jesus MercadoCV, VMMS, RBV

Katherine MichelLake, MMS, MVHSDaughter of Patrice Michel, Lake

Maria MonteroGV, VHS

Bryssa MontezMVHS

Alondra OrtegaGV, VIDA, RBV, VHS

Hannah ParcoMMS, RBV

Iris PeñaCAS, VMMS, RBV

Jordan PhelanMVHS

Jessica RiegerCV, RBVDaughter of Adriana Rieger, RBV

Julissa RomeroBO, MV, FO, HAN, RBV

Mallory RosolLake, MMS, RMS, VHS

Mikayla ShirleyMVHS

Dylan StoverAL, EMP, RMS, VHS

Troy StrangeEMP, RMS, VHS

Emily TemplinSan Dieguito AcademyDaughter of Dana Templin, Gen. Murray

Mike TranLake, MMS, RBV

Peter TrejoGV, MMS, RBV

Jodi Van SolkemaCalvin College

Megan Van SolkemaCalvin CollegeDaughters of Linda Van Solkema, RBV

Ariana VegaCAS, MMS, RBVDaughter of Carmen, VMMS Victor, TOSA

Hanna WebsterW. Washington Univ.Daughter of Michelle Webster, MV

Amy WehnerCal Ave, TH, RMS, VHS

$1000 was provided to SVHS to help pay for wheelchair repairs, field trips, etc. for students whose parents needed assistance.

As VTASF Board Chair, I would like to congratulate all of these students and wish them continued success in their academic pursuits. Paul Farrar

______

VISTA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND

I authorize the Vista Unified School District to deduct tenthly from my regular contract salary warrants the amount designated below as a voluntary contribution to the Vista Teachers Association Scholarship Fund.

Tenthly $3.00 ______

$5.00 ______

$10.00______(CENTURY CLUB)

Other ______(Specify)

______

Name Printed Signature Site

______

Social Security Number (Last 4) Date

RETURN THE COMPLETED AUTHORIZATION FORM TO THE VTA OFFICE BY DISTRICT MAIL.

MARK THE ENVELOPE “VTA”