The following transferring students have won $500 each through Good Club scholarships: Richard Bejar, a single father active in extra -curricular affairs, hoping to earn a degree in Economics from Arizona State University; Anna Castro, a single parent who helps at her daughter’s preschool and at a women’s and children’s homeless shelter–she plans to be the first in her family to graduate from a university, and aims for a career in social services. Johnny Garcia Vasquez is headed for UC Berkeley as a political science major with the eventual goal of becoming a lawyer. Johnny has been president of ASG at Oxnard College, a voting delegate to the California Community College Student Senate, also active helping Pedro Nava, Save the Whales and Amnesty International. He is a peer counselor to the Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project. Other recipients: Jasmin Henry also plans to become a lawyer after getting a degree in Criminal Justice. She would like to work as a Public Defender for juveniles. Cesar Lopez wants to become a mechanical engineer–his interests include nano technology and alternative fuel sources. Cesar, as an AB540 student, is not eligible for federal or state aid, but his father, who recently passed away, taught him to be a “fighter, not a quitter.” Cesar is involved with CAUSE.
There are six winners among the continuing students: Giovanna Alatorre was Valedictorian of her high school even though she had only been in this country a few years. Maria del Carmen Jimenez is the single mother of five children, who left an abusive marriage and has worked in many areas. She is involved in her children’s school and hopes to get a certificate in accounting, before transferring to a four-year school.
Vanessa Mayo has very clear goals; She plans to transfer to San Diego State next year to earn a degree in nursing, eventually hoping to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Her particular interest is in children born with birth defects. At Prototypes, a women’s shelter, Vanessa works with infants and toddlers.
Carol Peterson aims for a certificate in Restaurant/Hospitality Management, a field in which she has thirty years of experience. Her ultimate goal, however, is to teach food safety after she earns a degree from Cal Poly Pomona. She is currently a pastry chef, and volunteers at Food Share. Oscar Rodriguez is a strong supporter of migrant education, and tutors ESL students. He sees education as this country’s great equalizer. He has first-hand knowledge of the life of a field worker, and appreciates the work of his parents. He plans to become a mechanical engineer who can, by his designs, help save the environment. After some years of experience as an engineer, Oscar hopes to get a teaching credential. Richard Silvey kicked years of addiction to change his life and use his experience and education to help others change their lives. He currently manages Khepra House and is interning as a counselor. Richard has been inducted into the international honor society of two year colleges, Phi Theta Kappa.
The Good Club can be proud of helping these students achieve their goals, particularly since some of them have been unable to purchase all of their textbooks. The scholarship certificates will be presented on  April 25, Casa Lopez, from 5 to 7 pm.

Norma Van Riper