(Walnut Creek, Calif., May 26, 2010) - - The fourth annual Michael W. De Sa Memorial Scholarship administered by the Walnut Creek Education Foundation, was awarded in the amount of $2,000.00 to Las Lomas High school senior, Melissa Bartow. The scholarship was presented to Ms. Bartow during Las Lomas High School Senior Awards Night held on Wednesday, May 26th.
Bartow was chosen from close to twenty Las Lomas seniors who applied for the scholarship. Her achievements exemplify the scholarship criterion, which seeks a well-rounded graduate of the Walnut Creek schools (attending K-12) who has nurtured life’s passions both in school and outside the confines of academia, through service in the community and other pursuits.
Bartow is highly accomplished and has won the respect and affection of her peers, teachers and administrators. Those that know Melissa know that water polo is her passion, and she has long dreamed of playing in college. She has played on the Zone Olympic Development Team which placed third in the national tournament. In addition she has served as Rally Commissioner at Las Lomas High School. Melissa describes herself as an outgoing and friendly leader who puts hard work and dedication into everything she does. She was eager to use her talent to bring all types of students together for a common purpose.
After graduation from Las Lomas High School Melissa will be attending University of San Diego where she will be fulfilling her dream of playing water polo.
When Walnut Creek Superintendent, Mike De Sa passed away in 2006, his family
requested that donations be made in his name to the Walnut Creek Education Foundation (WCEF). De Sa’s family, wife Lisa and children Caitlin and Sam, proposed using a portion of the funds to start a memorial scholarship fund to be administered by WCEF and awarded to seniors at Las Lomas High School.
For more information about the Michael W. De Sa Memorial Scholarship or to make a donation, please contact Liz Davis, WCEF executive director by calling
925-933-WCEF or eadavisus@yahoo.com or www.wcefk12.org.
About the Walnut Creek Education Foundation
The Walnut Creek Education Foundation K-12 is a non-profit, tax-exempt
501(c)(3), non-profit tax I.D. # 94-2915151 organization founded in 2005 to maintain
academic programs that are cut due to the State’s education budget shortfall. WCEF receives support through financial and in-kind donations from business and corporate partners, parents, alumni, volunteers, grants and the community-at-large. WCEF is managed by a volunteer executive committee, board of trustees, and a paid executive director, all of whom who share a deep commitment to maintaining
excellence in the schools.
For more information, contact WCEF at (925) 933.WCEF (9233), or www.wcefK12.org. On-line donations can also be securely submitted through
the WCEF website or mailed to WCEF, P.O. Box 186, Walnut Creek, CA 94597.
