June 25 was a HUGE day for Albany Rotary.  We formally inducted new member, Angela Mason, demoted President Caryl (after she became a Paul Harris Fellow) and welcomed new President Howard.   What a wonderful end    to a very successful year.                                                                                                                                          

a href=”http://www.albanycarotary.org/wp-content/uploads/007-2.jpg”>  New Rotarian Angela Mason (left) and Amelia Lopez, Field Representative from Assembly Member Nancy Skinner’s office, who told us about events in the 15th AD

Rotarian Mike Skinner gave us some history of the Joe Villa Scholarship before President Caryl gave this year’s recipient, Xueer (“Cher”) Jiang her check.

History of the Joe Villa Scholarship

Joseph Villa was a prominent Albany Rotarian, a past president (1938-39) and Paul Harris Fellow.  A first-generation Italian American, he grew up in the city of Albany, initially working in a produce market. Eventually, he became the owner of a chain of local markets and stores under the name of JV Liquors and JV Markets.  At least one liquor store under the  JV Liquor name still operates in Albany.

The Joseph and Dorothy Villa Scholarship was created in 1982 as a way for Joe to give back to the community that he lived and worked in.  He designed the scholarship to help students like himself who had to work or overcome some adversity through their high school years.

The first scholarship award was presented in May of 1983.  The fund was started with a donation from the Villa’s with the idea that the accrued annual interest would be sufficient to fund the scholarships.  The fund has given out over 50 scholarships to date.  Current Albany Rotarians can donate to the Villa fund as part of their annual dues payments.

Each year, several Albany Rotarians form a committee and interview local high school seniors who apply for the scholarship.  The student should have goals toward a higher education and a planned direction either to college or a trade school. The recipient is not necessarily the most academically qualified or the most active in their school, but has to demonstrate the ability to overcome obstacles in life and still achieve their desired goals.  Need, ambition, well roundedness and community involvement are all considered during the selection process.

Al Nicora (past Albany Rotary president 1984-85) was the Villa’s personal attorney and is still involved in the process of  notifying the three high schools in Albany about the scholarship opportunity and transmitting applications to the selection committee.  The actual Villa fund is administered in a separate account by our Club treasurer.  In recent years, a high proportion of recipients have been recent immigrants, who like Joe, had to overcome language and cultural problems but still performed well.

Ray Chan, Director of Public Works for the City of Albany, shared with us the challenges of maintaining the infrastructure in the city. President Caryl had to jump up on a chair to get  our attention to begin the meeting we were having such a good time chatting. This was the biggest crowd of the year – good work Albany Rotarians and friends!

  Albany Rotarians painting the slats for the benches on Solano Ave.  We will repair and repaint the damaged benches.

  Albany Rotary had a team and provided dinner for the Albany Relay for Life.

Dr. Jose Ortiz, Chancellor of the Peralta Colleges, spoke to us on May 21 on the local community college system.  Governor Steve Lack paid us a visit with   his cool car.

   Charles Burress from Albany Patch, explained the changes in Albany Patch and talked about his career in journalism.

   Krista Lucchesi spoke to us about her work providing food to needy Senior citizens through the Mercy Brown Bag Program.

   Albany Rotarian,  Mike Skinner, told us abou out the operations of his farm in IL