A Taste of Rio

Restaurants KSponsors A Taste Of Rio

Thank You!

California Grill – Whittier Lucky Treats – La Habra Catering by Herach & Ara – Montebello Luna Estrella – Whittier Clearman’s Steak N Stein – Pico Rivera Manuel’s Original El Tepayac Café – Industry Edible Arrangements – Whittier Seta – Whittier Frantones – Whittier Sodexo – Whittier Juan Great Fiesta – Whittier Sweet Dreams – Whittier La Casita Olvera – Whittier Zapien’s Salsa Grill & Taqueria – Pico Rivera Supporting Student Success Program printed courtesy of Ran Graphics, Inc. FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015 Are you ok to drive? RIO HONDO COLLEGE We can help you get a lift, ask at registration table. Committee Jennifer Burchett Shaina Phillips Human Resources Student Life & Leadership

Janet Castagnola Jim Poper K KRHC Foundation Facilities Services Russell Castaneda-Calleros Rebecca Rayas Government & Community Relations Institutional Research and Planning

Teresa Dreyfuss Ruthie Retana The Mission of the Rio Hondo College Foundation is to secure financial Superintendent/President Marketing & Communications assistance for scholarships, programs, equipment and projects that meet Rio Hondo College the needs of the College’s growing student population. The Foundation Sandy Sandello secures alternative funding through contributions from individuals, Howard Kummerman President’s Office corporations, foundations, and organizations to assist the College in RHC Foundation/ meeting its commitment to student success. Institutional Research & Planning Angie Tomasich President’s Office Ashley Maui Lopez RHC Foundation Sylvia Viramontes Bunday Board of Directors Marketing & Communications Carlos Monteros EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Information Technology Services/Audio Visual Gary Van Voorhis Information Technology Services Neal Welland President

John Peel Vice President/Treasurer

Teresa Dreyfuss Superintendent/President, Rio Hondo College

DIRECTORS Ellie Bewley Carmella Franco Board of Trustees Terry Keller Norma Edith García Mohamed Rassmy Gary Mendez Ruthie Retana Mary Ann Pacheco Madeline Shapiro Vicky Santana Madeline Shapiro

FOUNDATION STAFF Jaime “JJ” Magallón Student Member Howard Kummerman Executive Director Teresa Dreyfuss Superintendent/President Janet Castagnola Program Assistant

Ashley Maui Lopez Development & Marketing Coordinator Rio Hondo College Mission Rio Hondo College is committed to the success of its diverse students and communities by Contact us: (562) 908-3476 or www.riohondo.edu/foundation providing dynamic educational opportunities and resources that lead to associate degrees, 501 (C)(3) Tax ID 95-4367487 certificates, transfer, career and technical pathways, basic skills proficiency, and lifelong learning.

1 16

LIFE. POWERED BY EDISON. BY POWERED LIFE.

The Keyslayer The

California High School Jazz Band & Band Jazz School High California

Entertainment by Entertainment

KAnnouncements Drawing

Rio Hondo College Foundation College Hondo Rio

President A Taste of Rio Rio of Taste A

Neal Welland Neal

Rio Hondo College Foundation College Hondo Rio

Greetings

to sponsor the sponsor to

Edison International is proud proud is International Edison

Rio Hondo College Hondo Rio

We’re Generating More Than Electricity Than More Generating We’re

Superintendent/President

Teresa Dreyfuss Teresa

Together

Rio Hondo College Foundation College Hondo Rio

Executive Director Executive

Howard Kummerman Howard

Welcome & Introductions & Welcome

Enjoy Restaurants, Wine Tasting and Drawings and Tasting Wine Restaurants, Enjoy

May 1, 2015 1, May

Program A Taste Of Rio Of Taste A I am the face of Rio Hondo I am the face of Rio Hondo

I grew up in the City of La Puente and graduated I moved to the United States from Aguascalientes, from Nogales High School in 2002. Shortly after, I Mexico looking for a better life and future for my began working warehouse jobs while being heavily family. I knew that the only way to help my family involved in the gang life. This negative lifestyle led and help others with similar challenges was by going to college. I took it upon myself to participate in the me to be incarcerated. I was released in 2006, and college preparation program known as GEAR UP and only three months of being out, I was shot five times I enrolled in as many workshops as possible. I started leaving me paralyzed from the chest down due to a my college journey at Rio Hondo College by taking T-4 spinal cord injury. I spent the entire first year after only a few classes during my first two years, as this being shot on the streets in my wheelchair, still living was all I could afford at the time. After the passing the gangster life. Until I had an epiphany, that a man of the California DREAM Act, I was able to qualify in a wheelchair had no place running the streets. It for the Board of Governors Fee Waiver and enroll in more courses. This helped me become more involved was then that I decided to change my lifestyle, get off in student organizations such as Students Without Borders, and to serve the streets and pursue a degree with the goal of transferring to a four-year as the Club President for One in Christ. As President, I coordinated trips university. With this clear goal in mind, I turned my life around by opening to serve the homeless and helped others with disadvantages. I received the door to higher education and eventually enrolling at Rio Hondo College. an Associate Degree in Child Development and a certificate to become a I graduated with an Associate De-gree in Social Sciences and transferred to preschool teacher. I transferred to California State Uni-versity Dominguez California State University Los Angeles. Hills to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

Helping you build a better workplace -Interior Ofﬁ ce Solutions

2 15 I am the face of Rio Hondo BEING At the age of 47, I made one of the hardest decisions in life, that of going back to college. Coming from an extremely dark place in life where domestic violence NEIGHBORS and addiction were the center of my life, drugs became my escape. One day I found myself at my worst, feeling defeated, unwanted and depressed. I took a long hard IS MORE look at myself, and I couldn’t help but think of my two daughters and how disconnected I was from their lives. It was at this moment that I decided to become the best THAN JUST “Me” I could be, not only for my children, but also for myself. I enrolled into the “Angel Step Inn Youth and Family Services” program in Pico Rivera to recover and become sober. With the support of my family and GEOGRAPHY. sober sisters, I realized my dreams were attainable, and that all I needed to do was pursue them. Soon after I graduated from the Angel Step program, I enrolled at Rio Hondo College. With the help of great counselors I learned about financial aid, EOPS & CARE, and was determined to earn a degree so that I could eventually give back to my community. After my first semester, I suffered a heart attack. Through my resiliency, I overcame this battle too. At the age of 50, I graduated with an Associate Degree in Drug Studies with a 3.9 GPA, and with a degree in General Studies with an emphasis in Social We are proud to sponsor the Rio Hondo College Behavior and Self-Development.

“A Taste Of Rio” Food and Wine Tasting event. Rio Hondo College Foundation At Bank of the West we’re committed to being active members A Taste Of Rio of the communities we call home. We’re as dedicated to lending a helping hand around the neighborhood as we are to providing Premium Drawing Classic Drawing the personal banking, business banking and wealth management An opportunity to win premium items An opportunity to win premium items valued at a minimum of $200 valued at a minimum of $200 $10 Donation (1) Ticket $5 Donation (1) Ticket services that may be just right for you. Please visit us at a local $20 Donation (3) Tickets $10 Donation (3) Tickets $50 Donation (20) Tickets $25 Donation (20) Tickets branch or at bankofthewest.com for more information. Fund-A-Need Drawing $100 Donation per Ticket Edgar Morales, Vice President, Sr. Relationship Manager When you FUND A NEED, 100% of your contribution will support the Rio Hondo College Foundation scholarship program. Downey Business Banking Center | (562) 658-2041 • Scholarship Support For First Year Students • Scholarship Support For Graduating Transfer Students Roxanne Lara, Vice President Pico Rivera Ofﬁce | (562) 692-6931 Opportunity to win Apple iPad Mini 3 (64GB, Wi-Fi, Space Grey), plus a $200 Apple Store Gift Card to purchase accessories. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. © 2015 Bank of the West. bankofthewest.com

14 3 Welcome SUPERINTENDENT/PRESIDENT

Welcome to the Third Annual A Taste of Rio event! On behalf of the Rio Hondo Community College District, thank you for your support of the Rio Hondo College Foundation that provides student scholarships and helps support student programs.

We hope you enjoy tonight’s festivities by sampling delicious local cuisine, networking with new and old friends, and participating in the drawings for a chance to win fabulous prizes—all to support Rio Hondo College students.

As you walk around, I encourage you to take a look at the “Faces of Rio” displayed throughout the event. The stories of struggle, persistence, and commitment by these Rio Hondo College students to pursue their dreams are sure to leave an imprint. Oﬀering practical legal solutions Thank you once again for all your support, especially to our sponsors! Your generosity will continue to change student lives by providing them with the resources to achieve their for California educational institutions. educational goals at Rio Hondo College. Teresa Dreyfuss Superintendent/President Rio Hondo College Proudly supporting the

FOUNDATION BOARD PRESIDENT Welcome to A Taste of Rio. On behalf of the Rio Hondo College Foundation, thank you for joining us for this fantastic event. There are many reasons that make this night special including contributions from the generous restaurants and donors -- and an opportunity to taste fine wines with friends. Yet, we must also recognize the reason we are all gathered here - to support Rio Hondo College students through scholarships and other important programs. Tonight, we celebrate in their honor. The Rio Hondo College Foundation is committed to raising critical funds to support students and college programs. With your help, we will reach this goal. A Taste of Rio Lastly, I would also like to give a special acknowledgment to tonight’s event committee for all their hard work, dedication, and passion to making A Taste of Rio a successful event. Neal Welland President A Leading California Law Firm www.aalrr.com Rio Hondo College Foundation Cerritos | Fresno | Irvine | Pasadena | Pleasanton | Riverside | Sacramento | San Diego

4 13 Event Sponsors Cognoscente DelTerra Westberg + White Architects

Connoisseur Southern California Edison Aficionado Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo Bank of the West Keenan & Associates RBC Capital Markets SVA Architects Supervisor Don Knabe & the 4th District Appreciator Interior Office Solutions Vasquez & Company, LLP Taster David & Jacquelyn Brearley Halbert Hargrove Investment Advisors PMSM Architects Ran Graphics Rio Hondo College Faculty Association Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuaries Supervisor Hilda Solis & the 1st District Whittier Mailing Services Whittier Union High School District

Don Knabe We Proudly Support Supervisor The Rio Hondo Fourth District County of Los Angeles College Foundation

Congratulations & Best Wishes!

www.knabe.com

12 Don5 Knabe Supervisor, Fourth District County of Los Angeles www.Knabe.com SVA Architects commends RIO HONDO COLLEGE FOUNDATION for their continuing contribution to Educational Excellence and Access

SVA Architects are committed and proud to serve California Community Colleges

www.sva-architects.com

6 11 Proud Sponsor of A Taste of Rio RBC Capital Markets has a long history of supporting California community colleges. We are proud to sponsor A Taste of Rio and commend the Foundation for its dedication to providing opportunities and scholarships for tomorrow’s leaders.

Rod Carter Frank Vega 213.362.4133 213.362.4113 [email protected] [email protected] rbccm.com

10 7 Del Terra Education Foundation

Proudly supports the Rio Hondo College Foundation

...In promoting excellence and access to its students