Leona Valley Sertoma

Making A Difference through Service To Mankind

deaf studies

An Achievement in Academic Excellence

Leona Valley Sertoma Recognizes Achievement in Academic Excellence

Once again, Leona Valley Sertoma has invested and recognized one graduating, Antelope Valley College student who has majored in “deaf studies”.  April Rock and I had the honor of screening this years’ recipient, Stosha Coley, who’s objective is to fully certify as an ASL interpreter for the Los Angeles superior court system.  While raising two children on her own, Stosha managed to obtain a 3.24 academic score, as well as being considered an excellent student with superior ethics and skills.  After meeting Stosha at the “Meet and Greet” breakfast, hosted by the Antelope Valley College Scholarship Foundation, April and I knew immediately that Stosha truly represents the achievement in academic excellence we look for in our applicants.

Leona Valley Sertoma Invests in Academic Excellence with this years scholarship recipient Stosha Coley.
Sertoma Scholarship Recipient

Our Sertoma members value our recipients choices, lives, dreams and specific goals pertaining to our “deaf studies” criteria and our mission is to make a major impact in their future.  Our hope is for the student to always consider our “Service to Mankind” motto as a beacon for public service to help better the lives of others.

I feel that it is quite important to share the mission of Antelope Valley College, as I truly believe that they and Sertoma have the same pride in our graduating college students.  That being said, we both accomplish an end result by providing a quality and comprehensive education for a variety of students who want to continue learning. We both agree to commit to a students success, offering value and opportunity for ALL members of our community.  Sertoma’s offer is the same quality that we strive to achieve regarding our local high school graduates.

Since the Antelope Valley College’s founding in 1929, the needs of students have been more than a priority and have been provided both academic and athletic programs.   Their provisions have been associate degree programs, certificate programs and transfer programs that prepare students to continue their education at four-year colleges and universities.

The Antelope Valley College Foundation is a non-profit, tax exempt 501 (c)(3) corporation committed to increase resources and funds.  The Foundation was established in 1993 and is designated to receive gifts for the college from individuals, corporations and foundations.  Leona Valley Sertoma became involved with the Scholarship Foundation in 2013 and has had the honor of fulfilling many goals and dreams by awarding $1,000 annually to one chosen student who is majoring in deaf studies.

It is best said, that “lives are enriched and futures continue to be built for generations”.

 

Proudly written and submitted by Jan Clark

Leona Valley Sertoma Serves Up A FREE ~ Traditional Holiday Dinner

Leona Valley Sertoma Serves Up A FREE ~ Traditional Holiday Dinner

Leona Valley Sertoma hosted about 75 senior guests, 55 and over, (plus delivered more than 20 dinners) for the nonprofit service organization’s FREE Senior Dinner on Sunday, December 4, 2022. As always, our annual event provisions covered Green Valley, Lake Hughes, Elizabeth Lake, Three Points and, of course, Leona Valley. Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic, we had to cancel a couple of senior dinners. Needless to say, this year, the house was “rocking” and the fellowship was fabulous.

Our menu included turkey, ham, meatloaf (Juanita Kirkpatrick’s famous recipe), green beans, mashed potatoes & gravy, sweet potatoes, stuffing, cranberries, assorted desserts, coffee and punch.

Believe it or not, it took approximately 54 people that consisted of Sertoma members, community residents, 4-H Racketeers and the Leona Valley Queens who helped create a most successful holiday dinner. In other words, it didn’t take a village to get the job done, IT ACTUALLY TOOK A GRAND PORTION OF OUR COMMUNITY to get the job done!

In the past, Leona Valley Sertoma usually paid for the entire meal out of our members pockets ~ however, NOT THIS TIME. This year, from newly acquired grants and sponsorships from Cal Water, Smart & Final, Ashley Furniture, and the Sertoma Club Grant Program the entire expense of our meal was paid for.

Always remember that Sertoma’s main purpose is to focus on the hearing impaired, and we are committed to just that, and more. For the last eight years our group has provided a thousand dollar scholarship to one Antelope Valley College student who is majoring in deaf studies to pursue a career in helping the hearing impaired.

Three members, including two founding member, of Leona Valley Sertoma, pose for a photo at the Leona Valley Sertoma Holiday Dinner.
(L to R), Bev Brownfield, Shirley Kraft, Juanita Kirkpatrick.

This year it seemed most appropriate to honor two very important members who were the originators of Leona Valley Sertoma which, according to Bev Brownfield, was chartered in 1997. Both Juanita Kirkpatrick and Bev Brownfield engaged in a recent AV Press interview that provided so much of our original club’s foundation. Juanita stated that our club originally consisted of only men (the originator being Bob Mallicoat who acquired 25 men) and the women were later included.

Leona Valley Sertoma invites you to please visit our web site at: LeonaValleySertoma.org to better understand and visually enjoy the many events that we have provided to our community and public.

We encourage folks to join us on either a first or third Saturday of any month for an 8am complimentary breakfast at Jack’s Place ~ 40352 90 St. W., Leona Valley. WE WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOU!

ALL of our members are most grateful for EVERYONE’S continued support and generosity. WE wish you a wonderful Holiday Season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Jan Clark

Leona Valley Sertoma Paint-N-Sip Party

This event cancelled due to Covid-19

Paint-N-Sip Fundraising Party

Presented by Leona Valley Sertoma

Saturday, April 4th and Sunday, April 5th 2020
From 1pm to 4pm – Hosted by Barrett Cellers
at
114 West Newgrove St., Lancaster, CA 93534

Art Instructor: Blanca Martinez of Artistic Expressions

$35 per person prepaid

Paint-N-Sip Event includes:
All Art Equip. – One Full Glass of Wine and Appetizers

Net Profits will provide a scholarship to one Antelope Valley College student who is either majoring in deaf studies or who is personally affected with hearing disabilities.

Two day opportunity drawings – Limited Seating – Must be 21

For questions contact Jan Clark at 661-270-9268

leonavalleysertoma.org

Want to download the flyer? Click here.

leona-valley-sertoma-paint-n-sip-flyer-update

Making a Sound Investment

2015-Antelope Valley College - Scholarship-recipient

On May 19, 2015, Leona Valley Sertoma had the honor of supporting the accomplishments of Antelope Valley College student, Diana Salceda, by presenting her with a $1000 scholarship to help further her education in the area of deaf studies. Diana’s intentions and desire is to continue on to a four year college.

The Leona Valley Sertoma Scholarships Program serves a major part in our efforts to make a difference in the communities we serve. In providing our young people with the ability to attain a higher education we are ensuring that they will have opportunities to help make and be part of a brighter future.

Fundraising for the Scholarship Program is always ongoing in the minds of the members of Leona Valley Sertoma and one of the ways they do that is by hosting the annual “Sound Off” for Sertoma 5K walk/run. This event has proven especially popular and has now added a 10K for those seeking an even greater challenge. The next “Sound Off” event is taking place on October 10, 2015 and you will find the sign up form in the “Announcements and Events” section on our Home page or click this link: Sound Off Sign Up Form.

In the photo, left to right: Mrs. Pam Gaspar, AV College Foundation Board Scholarship Chairperson, Barbara Heins, Sertoma Scholarship Presenter, Diana Salceda, Scholarship Recipient, Jan Clark, Sertoma Scholarship Committee member, and Mr. Ed Knudson, Superintendant, President, Antelope Valley College.