2024 Scholarship Recipients

Isaac Alva is sponsored by his grandmother Theresa Vasquez.   Isaac is also the winner of the LaRue Pierce Community Service Award. Isaac graduated from Crimson High, Washington, UT with a 3.9 GPA (575 graduates, school does not rank).

From his personal statement: “When I was 14, like most other ninth graders, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life.  My only driving force to succeed was that this was the year I realized that my mother would never be able to retire and that someday she wouldn’t be able to support herself.  This was a turning point for me because up until then, I just thought I would do whichever job I happened to take a liking to.  To me, money is just a means to an end, and with no end goal, why would I ever need much?  Seeing my mother struggle changed this viewpoint entirely.  When I was ten, my family and I moved to Utah so my mother could care for our grandparents.  I didn’t see it that way.  Instead of helping my mother, I complained almost every day about the heat and that all my friends were gone.  My mother had just barely recovered from her divorce when her father got dementia.  So now, already on a shoestring budget, she had to move herself and three kids to Utah all by herself.  Looking back on it, I have no idea how she did it.  For years, she cared for us all while managing my grandfather’s business, and somehow still found the time to put me in piano, basketball, and football.  However, as I got older, I realized that no matter what my siblings or I wanted to do, she made every effort to make it a reality somehow.  When I look at other people my age, no matter how much money or time their parents have for them, I’ve never seen someone with more supportive parents than my mother.  Because she’s been holding our family together for so long, she’s given up any chance at a career, and the stress and burnout of 10 years of labor have completely destroyed her health.  Though I personally have no desire to be rich, I know that, realistically, my mother has no way of retiring and that I will have to care for her someday.”

Isaac’s Reference Report: (1) “Isaac is in JROTC and has been Drill Regulation Commander, a top performer in Devil Pups, and an Operations Squadron Superintendent.  He was the recipient of the Upperclassman of the Quarter award, placing 1st out of 113 upperclassmen in physical fitness, academics leadership, and community service.  Isaac is a skillful welder, and won the Dixie Tech Welding award in 2023, and started his own welding business.  In the community Isaac co-planned a Remembering 9/11 memorial service project, he presents the flag in Color Guard at many high school sports events.  He also did a service project in 2023 where he presented posters to local firefighters in gratitude for their service.  Last year, Isaac commanded the Bataan Death March memorial hike and camping trip, which involved 100 JROTC cadets.  They hiked 14 miles and then camped for the night.  He was in charge of the planning and coordination required for a successful completion (AP & CE Language Arts Teacher).” (2) “In my capacity as a US Navy submariner and carrier strike group staff officer I can say without hesitation that Isaac’s character, leadership potential, personal qualities, and academic accomplishments, without question, place him among the finest future leaders I have encountered (Physics and AP Chemistry Teacher).”

Lucy Andreu is sponsored by her grandfather William G. Horn.  Lucy graduated from Santa Inez Valley Union HS with a 3.6 GPA (Class rank 63).

From her personal statement: “I have been an active volunteer during my life. I started in 7th grade volunteering for our local Therapeutic Riding Center. The mission of this program is to provide quality equine-assisted activities to children and adults with physical, cognitive social, emotional and/or other life challenges, regardless of their ability to pay. During my time with this program, I helped out participants to get on and off the horses and learn how to groom the horses. I led activities for the kids while they were waiting for their rides and helped our adult leaders with whatever they needed. I am currently an active member of my high school’s theatre department. Participation in FFA is extracurricular and has enhanced my learning and expanded my interest in agricultural science. My current dream and goal is to study marine biology. In school, my fascination with science has grown and my favorite courses have been those related to science. During my high school, I chose to take all of my science in the agricultural department.”

Lucy’s Reference Report: (1) “Lucy is an active participant of the Future Farmers of America. In FFA she participates in meetings and fundraising events. Lucy also works part-time in hospitality. She also is part of the theater group at her school and film club. (Friend and Mentor)”; (2) “Lucy comes from a strong local community of family and friends. She is 100% dependable. (Teacher)

Rebekah Francis is sponsored by her grandmother Cardy Leonard.  Rebekah graduated from Maranatha Christian Schools, San Diego, CA with a 4.2 GPA (60 graduates, ranked 11).

From her personal statement:  “I have played soccer since I was 7 years old.  While sports are important to me, I am a student-athlete, putting school and my studies before sports.  The purpose of high school is to prepare me for college, and I know I need to do well in high school so I can be ready for harder classes which I will have to take in college.  I plan to attend a community college, either Mesa or Miramar, to complete the necessary general education requirements and then transfer to a bigger college, where I will start the journey of schooling for my career.  My plan for college and beyond is to major in Zoology and minor in American Sign Language (ASL), where I will later go to a veterinary school to become a certified veterinarian.  I have a love and passion for animals, and I wanted a career which helps others, so I decided to pursue the career path of veterinary medicine.  As veterinarian, I can help injured animals and bring joy to their owners.  I also want to minor in ASL.  I have taken four years of ASL throughout my high school career and have fallen in love with it.  Community service is important to me because I believe in giving back to others.  I know I can continue to give back to my community, but going to college is the first step.”

Rebekah’s Reference Report: (1) “Rebekah is a leader, a mentor, she has a light in her that others are attracted to.  She is a great example of what a student-athlete should be. (Teacher and Coach);” (2) “Rebekah is driven and hard working while being compassionate and respectful.  She not only performs well, she also has the solid desire to maintain her personal standards while she brings the best in others (School Counselor).”

Hadassah Leah Jaffe is sponsored by her grandmother Doris Jaffe.  Hadassah graduated from Stella K Abraham HS for Girls, Hewlett Bay Park, NY with a 92.26 GPA (95 graduates, school dose not rank).

From her personal statement:  “During my formative years, my mother juggled numerous jobs to keep my family financially-stable while my father was usually too sick to remained employed.  At a very young age, I took it upon myself to act as my father’s caregiver when I wasn’t in school, in turn sacrificing the opportunity for a healthy social academic life.  Being that I spent most of my time isolated from people my age, I became very unconfident in my social abilities, fairly disrupting my chances to form friendships with my peers.  When I was in 11^th grade, I tragically lost my older brother and learned that I had dual hearing loss that was misdiagnosed and would require hearing aids, all while dealing with my father being in end stage kidney failure.  Before I would allow myself to fall into a depression, I reached out to my school’s counseling department.  They offered a safe place that opened me up to possibilities I may have never thought of.  This is when a passion to create a better work environment, whether in school or past, ignited.  I decided to get involved helping others and offering support.  I took an internship at the Queens Supreme Court under a judge that had worked in cases where many defendants had disabilities.  Additionally, I began writing for our school’s mental health newsletter and in the 12^th grade, I was voted to be the editor in chief.  In this position, I lead a team of thoughtful, compassionate, intelligent young women who have overcome obstacles of their own and now take the time to help others.  I may have started high school with one goal, one mindset, but now I am open to so much more and the belief that I can accomplish making a difference in the workplace.”

Hadassah’s Reference Report: (1) “Dassie works harder than any other student I’ve known during the past four years, not for a grade or for the glory of saying she can be the best, but for the simple reason that she really just wants to learn and make herself and the people around her that much better and happier (Teacher-Student);” (2) “Dassie’s greatest strength is her empathy and persistence.  Last year she designed a sweatshirt that read “Hey person behind me, the world is a better place with you in it.  Love the person in front of you.”  This fundraiser awed the staff here. (College Guidance Counselor).”

Wyatt Lusher is sponsored by his Grandfather Ken Lusher.  Wyatt graduated from San Dieguito HS Academy, Encinitas, CA with a 4.2 GPA (526 graduates, no rankings determined).

From his personal statement: “I have always felt a strong connection with nature and the outdoors.  My family goes backpacking in the Sierra Nevada every Summer, as well as smaller camping trips throughout the year.  My favorite way that I help both the environment and the community is through doing trail maintenance.  When I was a young boy, my dad adopted a trail in Big Bear, and when I was old enough, I began helping him to maintain it.  We did this by clearing debris off the trail, redirecting water that was eroding parts of the trail, and building better river crossings.  I have also participated in other trail maintenance events in Big Bear through the years.  This work has taught me that working hard and doing something the right way can have huge impacts and help ensure something stays great for years to come.  Another community service event I participated in was a tree planting event along a firebreak.  The previous year a forest fire had broken out near a camp site in Big Bear we often go to.  In order to aid in the regrowth of the forest, we planted many saplings along a spot in the firebreak.  At school, I am currently the treasurer of the Photography Club in which we discuss tips and tricks for photo taking and hold events to practice those skills.  Photography provides me with an opportunity to explore and express my creativity.  I have submitted my work to multiple competitions, my most notable being the Museum of Photographic Art’s 2023 student showcase, in which my own entry was selected; only 76 of 701 works from across San Diego County were selected for the museum’s display.”  Wyatt’s future goal is to major in Environmental Science; he has selected UC Davis, as his future “Alma-Mater.”  Wyatt credits his inspiration for career choice to his father’s early encouragement about “all things nature…!”

Wyatt’s Reference Report; (1) “One of the most driven, humble, and intelligent students I have ever met (Tennis Coach/Teacher);” (2) “Takes the initiative to assist his peers in troubleshooting and has even taught them new material without being prompted.  This innate desire to help others and make a difference goes beyond the classroom (Photo Imaging and Photo Tech II Classes Teacher).”

Derek McBride is sponsored by his father Marlon McBride.  Derek graduated from Patrick Henry High, San Diego, CA with a 4.1 GPA (565 graduates, ranked 124).

From his personal statement: “America is called “A Melting Pot,” and I believe I embody exactly that.  My father is African American and English, and my mother is Native American, Mexican, and Italian.  My identity is shaped by every drop of the blood that runs through my veins.  I am proud of my heritage, as well as the challenges my ancestors have faced.  I feel so fortunate to carry the DNA of immigrants, natives, slaves, and our founding fathers.  I represent all that is possible, while reaping the benefits of the sacrifice and struggle of those who have come before me.  I have worked hard through my entire academic career and continue to keep my grades up.  I have also given my all to any extracurriculars I have had involvement in.  I want to further my education and this scholarship gets me yet another step closer to reaching that goal.  As much as I would like to tell you I have my whole future planned out, I don’t.  With that being said, I have an outline of what I would like to do with my future.  Next year, I will attend college in California, as for a major I am still undecided.  What I have decided is that I would like to use my skills and efforts to support young people in my community and make a difference in the lives of others.  A few majors I am considering are Business Management and Leadership and Public Policy.  From my perspective, it’s okay for me not have it all figured out at 17.  I still have a lot of time to decide what I want to spend the rest of my life doing and when I figure it out, I am going to work as hard as I can to be my personal best at whatever I am doing.  Scholarships represent financial support, but more importantly, they act as validation that all of your hard work and sacrifice mattered.  Success is not defined by your personal accomplishments, but instead, by the people you can support and impact along the way.”

Derek’s Reference Report: (1) “Derek has time, love, and respect for the many old people he continues to keep relevant and a valued part of his world (Family friend);” (2) “His work ethic and sportsmanship on the court has received accolades; recognition as the Varsity Team MVP and a selection to an All-Tournament team member during his junior year, 2022-2023.  Appointed by his teammates and coaches as co-captain for his senior 2023-2024 basketball season, as well as being selected for the highly regarded 2023 Crème of the County Showcase game (Mentor/Coach).”

Theo and Evelyn Yakel 2024 Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to the six recipients of the Theo and Evelyn Yakel Scholarships for 2024! Each student receives $1,500. The Board members of RESDC, are honored to partner with the San Diego Foundation in this effort:

Regan Rhodes, sponsored by Sylvia Penunuri. 
Alyssa Nguyen, sponsored by John McTighe. 
Derek McBride, sponsored by Marlon McBride. 
Wyatt Lusher, sponsored by Ken Lusher. 
John Brooks, sponsored by Lisa Youmans Hartman. 
Marisa Chacon, sponsored by Stephen Nicas. 

In 2001, former RESDC member Theo Yakel and his wife, Evelyn, placed a $250,000 endowment with the San Diego Foundation for the purpose of awarding scholarships to children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren of members of The Retired Employees of San Diego County (RESDC). The Yakel Scholarships are in addition to and complementary to the scholarships that RESDC awards. This is another opportunity for the families of RESDC members.

Congratulations and good luck to all of the 2023 Scholarship Recipients. □

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