Kiwanis Foundation gives nearly $110K in college scholarships

DOWNEY – Nearly $110,000 in college scholarships were awarded to 37 high school students last Thursday evening by the Downey Kiwanis Foundation.

Usually a scholarship banquet hosted by the Downey Noon Kiwanis Club, the pandemic necessitated some creativity in order to achieve the same effect.

“Ordinarily we have over 150 people attend the banquet,” Downey Kiwanis President Stephen Chu explained. “However, coping with the pandemic, we awarded this year’s scholarships virtually by zoom, and things worked out beautifully.

“Nearly all of the recipients were able to attend, and, in many cases, their families as well. In addition, we had a great turn-out from our own Kiwanis club members and civic leaders from the Downey community.”

Scholarship winners hailed from Downey High School, Warren High School, Columbus High School, and Lakewood High School.

In addition, the Downey Kiwanis Foundation awarded Teacher of the Year grants of $2,000 each to Elizabeth Vega (Columbus High), Heidi Warhurst (Downey High), and Justin Muller (Warren High).

Emily Grace Brent of Warren High and Juliana Itzel Cuevas of Downey High took home the biggest prize of the evening, as each of them was awarded the Bennie and Ann Reagan Scholarship.

This scholarship, established by the estates of Bennie and Ann Reagan, awards each recipient $3,750 per year for four years, as long as the recipients are enrolled full time in a four-year college or university.

There were five students who garnered two scholarships each: Ilene Thaopraseuth (Lakewood), Lesly Caceres (Downey), Isabela De La Vega (Downey), Desiderio Medina (Downey), and Ms. Brent.

“This is always Downey Kiwanis’ Finest Hour,” asserted Downey Kiwanis Foundation President Jerry Wetzstein.

“Along with the Stauffer group, the Downey Kiwanis Foundation sets the highest of standards in the management and awarding of college scholarships. We are the gold standard and are proud of it.”

The Downey Kiwanis Foundation began in 1985, awarding one scholarship in the amount of $500. It has grown to be one of the biggest Kiwanis Foundations in the state, with $5.8 million in its investment portfolio.

“Scholarships are only one portion of our emphasis,” Wetzstein continued. “We have given grants to many other charitable efforts throughout the Downey area and in the Kiwanis International world as well.”

“The Downey Noon Kiwanis Club has done a great job in the selection process of our scholarships,” stated Scholarship Chairman Carmen Vasquez Ondrusek. “It does take time to evaluate the applications and conduct the interviews, but it is well worth it.”

The banquet aspect of the celebration is not forgotten either.

“Next year, we will be back with the banquet,” Chu indicated. “And it will be bigger than ever.”