Hello to all the Castle Park Alumni:

My name is Andrew Torres and I graduated from the class of 1992.  I would like to start off by saying that I hope all is well with all the alumni.

I would like all of you to close your eyes and think back to the day of the Awards Assembly for the year you graduated.  The rush of having worn your cap and gown for the first time, your parents in the audience and the thousands and thousands of dollars that are about to be given out by the many companies and businesses that have established a scholarship fund.

Bring back memories?  Well, what group was missing from that list of companies and businesses that sponsor scholarships?  The alumni of Castle Park.

After much research, phone calls and interviews, I have chosen a company by the name of Dollars for Scholars to help start a scholarship fund for the graduating students of Castle Park.  Dollars for Scholars provides an effective, proven way for students and our community to provide academic support and financial aid to them.  As a result, we are now an "association", the Castle Park Alumni Association.

The Dollars for Scholars program empowers communities and groups to help themselves by helping to educate our young people. In turn, it inspires those young people to achieve by showing them that people they may not even know care enough about them and their future to give them support. 

What are the benefits for those alumni who chose to donate annually?  Tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) status, ensures that all contributions are tax deductible. (All other benefits are available to groups, which already have this tax-exempt designation.)· The name recognition, national support and national credibility of Dollars for Scholars

A Dollars for Scholars chapter such as the Castle Park High Alumni Scholarship Fund is organized to provide local students with financial aid and with personal encouragement and support to actively pursue higher levels of academic achievement. The local community rallies around those seeking higher education to give them a boost and ensure they reach their highest potential.

What type of student is chosen to receive the annual funded scholarship?  There is not a perfect student, and I am not going to try and chose the perfect student, nor the student with the highest GPA, nor the student with the highest SAT.  I am targeting the student who for 4 years, tried their best, might not have been at the top of their class, but nonetheless, made it to a university, junior college, trade school, or any other approved school of higher learning.  The student who showed involvement while being a Trojan; clubs, activities, community service, someone who contributed to Castle Park.

There will be exact requirements that are to be met by the applicants, and a counselor from Castle Park will help in the making of an application.  The counselor will also aid in the choosing of the recipient, as she will help in going over the received applications also.

Alumni may make a monthly, quarterly, bi-annually or an annual contribution, which will help fund the scholarship. In turn, a letter of thanks and a receipt will be sent on behalf of Castle Park Alumni Scholarship Fund with the tax-exempt number so you may claim this as a tax write off every year.  Then, once a year in June, one or two (I would say not more than three) students will receive a scholarship award based on their application entry and qualification.

When the student has arrived at their university of acceptance, an account will be opened where the scholarship will be deposited and student will be able to debit for educational related costs only, i.e.; books, materials, supplies.  This way, we know the money is being used for those costs only and not for the student's free reign.

Alumni, this is a very exciting and encouraging thing that is being done.  I have received unanimous acceptance by alumni and parents who have received word of this already.  I want each and every alumnus who wish to make a contribution to feel comfortable about where their money is going and how it will be awarded, so you may decide if you would like to make an annual contribution.

If you have any questions at all, even questions about Dollars for Scholars, visit their website at http://www.californiadollarsforscholars.org/.

Castle Park High’s spirit and tradition has always been high and cherished.  Let’s take it a step further and leave a mark on that special student or two by giving them something special that will not only help them, but also give them a special memory from Castle Park.

Alumni, the board members consist of the following people, which you may contact for any questions:

If you wish to make a contribution, please note if you are making a

·       Monthly contribution

·        Quarterly contribution

·        Bi-annually contribution

·        Or an annual contribution

 We need to keep this funded each year.  Anything you send is greatly appreciated. 

· A statement at the end of the year will be sent to you upon request for tax purposes.

· A receipt and "thank you" letter from our alumni association with the tax Identification number will be sent upon receiving donation.

· Any contribution sent will be entered immediately into an account at Cal Fed bank in Chula Vista

· There will be no other costs associated except for the $100 annual fee payable to Dollars for Scholars for tax filing purposes.

· Through affiliation with CSFA (Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America) our chapter (Castle Park Alumni Dollars for Scholars Fund) is a tax-exempt charitable organization under IRS ruling 501(c) (3) and is a public supported charity under IRS ruling 170 (b) (1) (A) (vi).