A History of Giving

Long before the Pajaro River levee was built or strawberries reigned supreme in the fields surrounding Watsonville, the La Selva Beach Women's Club began awarding scholarship money to local high school graduates.

The tradition, begun in 1948, continues today and the deadline is nearing. Applications are due Feb. 28, after which members of the service group will select four winners.

“It is so rewarding to be part of a group giving funds to students for higher education," Icy Young, recent club president, said. "Last year we gave five and the previous year we gave six.”

Past winners have been both girls and boys, including Conner Krest from La Selva Beach who is now studying at Georgetown University, Mikayla Glaum who went onto attend Cal Poly and Rachel Rodriguez of Aptos.

"She was so glad for the money to help with school costs," Women's Club treasurer  Ruth Holmoe said of Rodriguez. “Lauren Kitayama attends UC San Diego, and her thank you letter appreciated the support of her native La Selva Beach community."

About 15-20 students apply annually. Winning a scholarship is hinged on a being a well-rounded candidate.

“We make our choices depending on academics, of course, recommendations by teachers and others, and we are influenced by the applicants' self-descriptions,” said President Edie Stene, who will make the selections with the help of selected board members.

Applications are available at Advantage Properties, 308 Playa, La Selva Beach. Call Realtor and club member Judy Casserd with questions at 831-688-1515.

"If a kid doesn't put forth the effort to turn in a good application, we're not likely to honor the request," Holmoe said. "It's up to the student to get the recommendations for the applications."

The club funds the scholaship through a spring fundraiser. Slated for April 28, the event is one of the biggest events of the year for the organization.

Stene, like all members who collaborate on the scholarship project, is enthusiastic about the Women's Club. All of 112 pounds soaking wet, with an irresistible smile and keen insights into the current state of education in the United States, the former school teacher regards education as primary for a good life.

Stene brings leadership panache to La Selva Beach Women's Club, as she did heading the Watsonville Hospital Service League where she's accumulated 3,500 volunteer hours. She said she's "not afraid to lead."

“Do what you can do" Stene said, citing her personal philosophy. "If you get down on yourself for every single thing, you can't enjoy life.”

Her self-description includes "mother of four, all of whom graduated from college." At 85, Stene is still active in the California Teachers' Association, currently mobilizing retired teachers to recover money owed them by the state.

“Encourage students ready for college to apply for a scholarship," she said. "Providing scholarships is our flagship service to the community, and we will keep the tradition going as long as there is a La Selva Beach Women's Club,” said Stene.

The La Selva Beach Women's Club also performs other community service projects, setting an example for the students they award scholarships to.

In December, club members held a fundraiser to deliver clothing, food and money to Women's Crisis Support, the only rape crisis and sexual violence emergency shelter in Santa Cruz County.

"Their eyes lit up when they saw how much we were bringing," said Holmoe.

In addition to the fundraisers, the club hosts speakers with a wide range of expertise that reflect the diversity of the organization.

"There are women of all ages and all walks of life," Jane Parks-McKay, the club's first vice president, develops the annual calendar of monthly programs that are open to the public. "We're inter-generational in a way that represents the fabric of America. We stay in touch with members who faithfully send in their dues but are house-bound, and we have a member who just had her first child.”

UC Santa Cruz librarian Ginny Steele will speak in January. San Jose Mercury News writer Steven Yvaska will present on antiques appraisal in March and Lt. W. R. Parks, Parks-McKay's father, will speak on the Greatest Generation.

“We've had a ragtime duo, a jazz singer, a personal chef who made chocolate mousse for us and a Cabrillo Music teacher whose students sang opera," Parks-McKay said.

She added, "We love to have the public attend our programs. ... We're a social philanthropy club and to find it around after all these years is phenomenal."