.jpg)
Wednesday, June 12, Bob Zarling and Jeanie Morgan had the privilege of interviewing Denise Gandara, who is a student at the East Valley Institute of Technology studying Practical Nursing. Denise brought her grades to date in the program and it was clear to both Bob and Jeanie that she has a commitment and passion for her chosen vocation. This is a unique situation. Denise is from Yuma, but is studying in our community because there is not a comparable program with the same high quality in Yuma. She stays here part of the week and works in the Emergency Room in Yuma when her schedule allows. It is unusual for TRVFA to ask a club to sponsor a student outside their own community, but time was of the essence. Denise's next term will start July 1 and her grant from TRVFA could not be granted without a sponsoring Rotary Club. Denise's schedule was not going to allow for an interview in Yuma to happen in time for the grant to be approved by a club there and funded in time. Denise made a great impression on Bob and Jeanie. Mesa West will be her sponsoring club!
Sponsoring Rotary Clubs do not have a financial commitment. The purpose of having Rotary Clubs interview and sponsor TRVFA grant applicants is to ensure the scholar is likely to follow through with their plans and likely to be successful in the vocation they have chosen. Prior to the interview, the applicant will have met the residency and allowable income guidelines and their educational program will be determined to be an acceptable use of TRVFA funds. All of that is "paperwork." The club sponsorship makes it personal.