COMMUNITY NEWS
1000 Books Before Kindergarten! D id you know that reading to children is one of the most powerful ways to boost their brain power? The simple and enjoyable act of sharing books helps children learn prereading skills such as understanding the sounds letters make, developing a bigger vocabulary, and building background knowledge — all important skills that help “Scholarships” from page 11 “This year’s scholarship awardees stood out for how they stayed focused on their dream for college while also
prepare children for learning to read and entering kindergarten. Santa Cruz Public Libraries’ 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program is a fun and free way to start children on the path to success. Children who have not yet started kindergarten can participate. Follow these steps: 1. Register: Sign up at any Santa Cruz Public Libraries branch or online
at santacruzpl.beanstack.org. Pick up program materials at the library or print them from our website. 2. Track Your Reading: For each book read, fill in a circle on the reading log, write down each book you read in a journal or log books online with Beanstack. 3. Every Book Counts: Even if a child wants to hear the same book again
and again, you can count it each time. You can also count the books children hear in storytime, in daycare or preschool, or with a friend or family member, as long as the child listens to the entire book.
navigating extraordinary challenges of life during the pandemic,” says Susan True, CEO of the Community Foundation. “They volunteered hundreds of hours at food pantries and as climate stewards. They
advocated for their own and their peers’ mental health. They founded clubs to help each other through grief and to build community among other first-generation college students. And they had fun–as music aficionados, costume designers, dancers, knitters, artists, actors, and standout athletes.” Three-quarters of the awardees are first-generation college students, turning their parents’ and grandparents’ dreams of higher education into a reality. Among them are future teachers, engineers, computer scientists, biomedical researchers, physicians, and nurses. And every single one of them is focused on giving back to the next generation in gratitude for their own mentors and parents who aided their success. “This community has a rich history of families caring for the future by establishing scholarship funds. It dates back to Henry Cowell’s family, to donors inspired by the movement for racial equity, to siblings honoring their parents’ dedication to teaching. It’s an honor to work with the people and families helping Santa Cruz County be a place where all generations can thrive,” says Julie Haff, president of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and retired superintendent of San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District. Meet the 31 local students who received scholarships through Community Foundation Santa Cruz County in 2022: Alpert Sharing Fund Scholarship: Angel Soto, Watsonville High (Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo) Judy Anton Woman of Valor/Lupita Loves to Read Project Scholarship: Mariah Segura, Watsonville High (UC Davis) R.H. Beel Memorial Scholarship: Yazmin Diaz, Santa Cruz High (Pace University) Burton Scholarship: Peyton Croghan, St. Francis High (UC Davis); Arlette Del Toro, Watsonville High (UC Davis); Daniel Espinoza, Harbor High (UCLA); Haley Jiang, Harbor High (UCLA); Marissa Mengheang, Harbor High (Stanford University) Ernest V. Cowell Scholarship: Arden Emhoff, Santa Cruz High (UCLA) Bob & Betsy Darrow Scholarship: Sophia Clemente, St. Francis High (Santa
Monica Community College); Rossy Hernandez, Harbor High (CSU Monterey Bay); Alicia Krusee, San Lorenzo Valley High (University of Arizona) Jack DeBord Memorial Scholarship: Abby Lahey, San Lorenzo Valley High (CSU Monterey Bay) Hank Garcia Jr. & Family Scholarship: Mandy LaMere, St. Francis High (University of Southern California); Danna Perez, Watsonville High (Cabrillo College); Diana Rocha, Pajaro Valley High (UCLA); Melissa Roman, Pajaro Valley High School (UC Berkeley); Wade Watson, Aptos High (UC Santa Cruz) Emmett & Elsie Geiser Scholarship: Betzaida Chavez, Pajaro Valley High (UC Santa Barbara); Jaylen Dang, Aptos High (University of San Francisco); Isaak Vargas, Watsonville High (Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo) Isabel Fowler Sewell Scholarship: Sofia Fernandez, Pajaro Valley High (UC Santa Cruz) Cynthia Lopez-Fernandez, Pajaro Valley High (UC Santa Cruz) Bert & Carolyn Post Scholarship: Valeria Felix, Watsonville High (Cabrillo College) Louis J. & Mary Ellen Schultz Scholarship: Jackeline Barrientos, Harbor High (UCLA) Simunovich Family Agriculture Scholarship: Miguel Sanchez-Ramirez, Watsonville High (CSU Monterey Bay) Barbara J. Thompson Scholarship: Mackenzie Hearon, Harbor High (Cabrillo College); Morgyn Michelson, Harbor High (UCLA); Zulma Ramirez-Ortega, Harbor High (UCLA); Joel Sosa-Udave, Harbor High (Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo) John L. Turner Scholarship: Ashley Mazon, Watsonville High (UC San Diego) n ••• Community Foundation Santa Cruz County helps donors and their advisors invest wisely in causes they care about, to provide grants and resources to community organizations, and to offer leadership around key local issues. The Foundation manages $200 million in charitable assets and provides customized and tax-smart giving solutions that resulted in more than $24 million in grants in 2021. Thanks to generous donors, over $183 million in local grants and scholarships have been awarded locally since 1982.
18 / May 15th 2022 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
“1000 Books” page 25
