Coachella Valley Alumnae Panhellenic awards 21 scholarships to high school graduates

An ambitious young woman on the threshold of adulthood in the 1950s or '60s had before her limited options besides marriage. She could become a nurse, a teacher, a secretary, a flight attendant, a bank teller, a store clerk or a factory worker.

Contrast that with Rancho Mirage High School graduate Margarita Huaracha, who's headed to San Diego State and plans to become an aerospace engineer and work at NASA. Or Ava Philson from Palm Desert High School who's going to UCLA to study environmental science and policy with plans to work for the EPA as an environmental lawyer. Or Nashally Garcia, who graduated from Desert Mirage High School and is on her way to UC San Diego to become an electrical engineer. Or April Martinez of Desert Hot Springs High School, who's going to UCLA with plans to become a neonatologist.

These graduates, along with 17 others, were honored as scholarship recipients at the Coachella Valley Alumnae Panhellenic (CVAP) annual scholarship luncheon held May 7 at Ironwood Country Club.

CVAP began in 1954 and has for decades been awarding scholarships to young female graduates from each of the 10 valley high schools.

“This year, however,” said Lisa Corcoran, benefit chair, “due to the success of our fundraiser gala, proceeds reached an all-time high, and that allowed us to double the amount given in scholarships to these wonderful young ladies. Therefore, we have two scholars from each high school.”

After welcoming comments, President Stephanie Carter spoke to the CVAP members and proud family members seated at flower-bedecked tables. “We had dreams like you. We still are dreaming. Life is like riding a bicycle. You only fall off when you stop pedaling.”

Carter then introduced scholarship chair Linda Simmons, who called first Shadow Hills High School student Natalie Wilberts to the podium as they began to showcase each young woman. Wilberts said she was going to Pepperdine University with plans to become a corporate lawyer.

Each girl shared with the audience their plans. Those planning to major in biology were Samaira Yamuni (Rancho Mirage High School, going to UC San Diego) to become a veterinarian, Hailey Fifer (La Quinta High School, going to UC Fullerton) to become a dermatologist, Claudia Portilla Vidana (Indio High School, going to UC Davis) to become a veterinarian, Darlene Castaneda (Indio High School, going to UC San Diego) to study human biology, Amber Huesca (Coachella Valley High School, going to UC Irvine) will study biological science and plans to return to the valley when she finishes her education.

Others who said they would also return to the valley with their talents and expertise were Mariajose Lopez-Ochoa and Valerie Becerra, both from Coachella Valley High School and heading to UC Irvine to major in education.

Anna Christine Braun (Palm Desert High School, going to UC Davis) will study viticulture and enology. She plans to live in France and run her family’s business in Paris.

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Others who spoke, sharing their accomplishments and dreams, were Kylee Borgen (LaQuinta High School) and Daveigh Espares (Palm Springs High School.)

Recipients April Martinez (Desert Hot Springs High School), Janvi Kaushal (Desert Hot Springs), Valeria Meza-Acosta (Desert Mirage High School), Ava Gernand (Palm Springs High School) and Jacquelynn Perez (Shadow Hills High School) were unable to attend.

The academic excellence and community activities of these graduates were both awesome and inspiring.

The guest speaker, introduced by incoming President Joyce Johnson, was 2021 scholar Lane Theel, now attending UC Santa Barbara and a Delta Gamma member. Theel encouraged the current scholars to join a sorority. She said: “It is like a family and very supportive, especially the first year. They are the best friends I have ever made.”

Lastly, the recipient of the Marianne Timmins Memorial Scholarship for 2022 was Mariajose Lopez-Ochoa, a graduate of Coachella Valley High School.

This thoroughly charming event was made possible by the efforts of the scholarship committee: Sally Alvino, Laurie Anderson, Jane Auerswald, Martha Blackburn, Pam Blodgett, Linda Cameron, Charlie Consoli, Lisa Corcoran, Carolyn, DiMarco, Giorgi Duvall, Becky Humphreys, Amy Jeandron, Tootie Killingsworth, Barbara Mueller, Susan Murphy, Marsha Shean, Karon Speros, Linda Stewart, Mary Warwick and Shelley Whitaker.

Installation of a new board was conducted by Peggy Buenzli. Outgoing president Carter turned the gavel over to Johnson, who presented Carter with the past president’s pendant and compliments on the grace with which she coped with the unique challenges of her two-year tenure.

For more information on CVAP or to make a donation, visit cvap4scholars.org.

Joanne Hardy, a teacher with a yen to write (especially historical fiction stories), has published two novels, one set during the Civil War and the other the Great Depression. A desert resident since 1958, she has reported for the Desert Scene for 11 years.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Coachella Valley Alumnae Panhellenic awards 21 scholarships