From the August 2024 Issue of Club Life
Step Forward Fund Announces Scholarship Recipients
at September Dinner Event
“America’s Got Talent” Finalist Featured
The Step Forward Scholarship Fund (SFSF) announced its 2024-25 recipients at a special dinner Friday, September 6, 2024, at Governors Club. The dinner and program featured a performance by Raleigh violinist Tyler Butler-Figueroa, who shot to national fame as an 11-year-old finalist on “America’s Got Talent” in 2019.
Tyler was diagnosed with a blood cancer when he was 4, and he received chemotherapy for three years, which led him to lose his hair. Because of that, many children would bully him, so Tyler took up the violin as a way of coping. Tyler proved so skilled that he leapfrogged to the show’s quarterfinals before finishing in the Top 10. In a follow-up competition (“America’s Got Talent: The Champions 2”), he finished third. He also has played six shows with “America’s Got Talent: Live On Stage” in Las Vegas.
He has released two extended-play albums: the first, “A Violin Christmas,” was released in November 2022, and the second, “Timeless: Vol. 1,” was released in April. He released his first original song, “No Sleep,” in October.
“We are thrilled to present the extraordinary musical talents of Tyler Butler-Figueroa,” said SFSF President Nancy Broaddus. “Known for his stunning performances as a ‘Golden Buzzer’ finalist on ‘America’s Got Talent,’ Tyler’s journey is a testament to resilience and passion. We eagerly anticipated a night of diverse and captivating music from this remarkable young artist.”
As in prior years, club member Mike Adams provided music during the event’s reception. The dinner was underwritten by SFSF’s corporate sponsors: the BOLD Companies, Gretchen Castorina of Compass Realty, Sean Murray Grading, Inc., and Bland Landscaping.
"At BOLD, we love and support the Governors Club community on both a personal and professional level,” said Chris Ehrenfeld, the companies’ president. “The country club is the heart of our community. And the club's employees, whom the fund supports, are an integral part of making our club special."
Castorina noted that she has sponsored the annual celebration since it began in 2020, and that her backing showcases a passion “for making a positive impact beyond real estate transactions” and highlights a “commitment to supporting GC staff and their families in achieving their dreams.”
"We are proud to continue our support," said Kurt Bland, president of Bland Landscaping. "Governors Club is a special community, and the SFSF effort is testament to that."
“We do a lot of work in the Governors Club, and we have gotten to know a lot of the workers there,” said Sean Murray, owner of Sean Murray Grading, Inc. “We feel the Step Forward Scholarship Fund is an awesome opportunity for the employees, and we are honored to be a part of it.”
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our corporate sponsors for their unwavering support of the Step Forward Scholarship Fund,” Broaddus said. “Their generous contributions cover all operating costs, ensuring that every dollar donated goes directly to student scholarships. Thanks to our sponsors’ long-term commitment, dozens of students have been able to attend college and pursue other educational training opportunities.”
This past spring, the SFSF Scholarship Committee received well over twenty applications for aid totaling more than $150,000. The committee, headed by Dr. John Zaremba, reviewed the applications, letters of recommendation, and conducted in-person interviews before communicating to the SFSF Board of Directors recommended for grants. The awards will range from between $3,000 and $7,000 and will include one $12,000 Governors Scholarship. Over the past four years, the organization has awarded more than 80 scholarships totaling more than $380,000.
“We on the Scholarship Committee have the special opportunity to help bring our applicants’ higher and vocational education dreams into reality,” Zaremba said. “In a sense, we are ‘fellow travelers’ on their journey as many are repeat applicants. Our donors provide the committee this opportunity and we strive to be good stewards of their generosity.”
From the October 2024 Issue of Club Life
Andrea Valdez Chos Receives 2024 SFSF Governors Scholarship
Non-Profit Announces 25 Scholarships/Stipends Totaling $151,000
Andrea Valdez Chos, a graduate student at the Duke University School of Nursing and the daughter of long-time Governors Club employee Edy Chos, has been awarded the Step Forward Scholarship Fund’s $12,000 Governors Scholarship. Andrea also received an additional $2,500 grant from the Wallace Family Trust.
The awards were announced at the SFSF annual dinner held on Sept. 6, 2024, at Governors Club, attended by 134 donors and guests. In 2024, the SFSF is providing 25 scholarships/internship stipends—10 to GC employees and 15 to children of employees. The organization has nine new scholars in the program, with 16 repeat applicants. In total, $151,000 has been awarded this year, assisting GC employees or their children, representing all departments.
Over the past five years, the SFSF has awarded scholarships of more than $500,00 and raised $710,000 in donations from 170 GC families. The organization has a cash reserve equivalent to one year of expected awards.
“A big thank to our loyal donors that make scholarships happen for our GC employees and their children,” said SFSF President Nancy Broaddus. “One hundred percent of member donations go to scholarships. The generosity of our donors truly enables our recipients to ‘step forward.’”
Andrea has won scholarships for four years prior to receiving this year’s Governor’s Scholarship. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her mother, Edy, has worked for fifteen years in housekeeping and Andrea has been employed at GC in both housekeeping and dining services.
“I am deeply grateful to all the donors, mentors, members of the organization, and everyone present this evening,” said Andrea at the dinner. “Your contributions have profoundly impacted my educational journey and have alleviated the financial burdens for many families, including mine.”
The SFSF provides scholarships from $500 to $7,000 per year, one $12,000 Governors Scholarship annually, plus additional awards from the Legacy Gifting program. Awards to scholars cover tuition and course fees; cost of required equipment; college application/testing fees; housing deposits, internship stipends; and mentoring help.
Attendees at the dinner were entertained by violinist Tyler Butler-Figueroa, a Raleigh resident and a former finalist on “America’s Got Talent.” Tyler’s performance included songs by U2, Adele, Santana Chris Stapleton and an especially riveting version of Leonard Cohen’s iconic song, “Hallelujah.” GC member Mike Adams also provided music during the evening’s welcome reception and during dinner.
Nancy Broaddus reminded the crowd that “This event would not be possible without our sponsors: the Bold Companies, Gretchen Castorina of Compass Realty, Bland Landscaping, and Sean Murray Grading.”
SFSF’s corporate donations cover all the organization’s administrative and marketing expenses.
Non-Profit Announces 25 Scholarships/Stipends Totaling $151,000
Andrea Valdez Chos, a graduate student at the Duke University School of Nursing and the daughter of long-time Governors Club employee Edy Chos, has been awarded the Step Forward Scholarship Fund’s $12,000 Governors Scholarship. Andrea also received an additional $2,500 grant from the Wallace Family Trust.
The awards were announced at the SFSF annual dinner held on Sept. 6, 2024, at Governors Club, attended by 134 donors and guests. In 2024, the SFSF is providing 25 scholarships/internship stipends—10 to GC employees and 15 to children of employees. The organization has nine new scholars in the program, with 16 repeat applicants. In total, $151,000 has been awarded this year, assisting GC employees or their children, representing all departments.
Over the past five years, the SFSF has awarded scholarships of more than $500,00 and raised $710,000 in donations from 170 GC families. The organization has a cash reserve equivalent to one year of expected awards.
“A big thank to our loyal donors that make scholarships happen for our GC employees and their children,” said SFSF President Nancy Broaddus. “One hundred percent of member donations go to scholarships. The generosity of our donors truly enables our recipients to ‘step forward.’”
Andrea has won scholarships for four years prior to receiving this year’s Governor’s Scholarship. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her mother, Edy, has worked for fifteen years in housekeeping and Andrea has been employed at GC in both housekeeping and dining services.
“I am deeply grateful to all the donors, mentors, members of the organization, and everyone present this evening,” said Andrea at the dinner. “Your contributions have profoundly impacted my educational journey and have alleviated the financial burdens for many families, including mine.”
The SFSF provides scholarships from $500 to $7,000 per year, one $12,000 Governors Scholarship annually, plus additional awards from the Legacy Gifting program. Awards to scholars cover tuition and course fees; cost of required equipment; college application/testing fees; housing deposits, internship stipends; and mentoring help.
Attendees at the dinner were entertained by violinist Tyler Butler-Figueroa, a Raleigh resident and a former finalist on “America’s Got Talent.” Tyler’s performance included songs by U2, Adele, Santana Chris Stapleton and an especially riveting version of Leonard Cohen’s iconic song, “Hallelujah.” GC member Mike Adams also provided music during the evening’s welcome reception and during dinner.
Nancy Broaddus reminded the crowd that “This event would not be possible without our sponsors: the Bold Companies, Gretchen Castorina of Compass Realty, Bland Landscaping, and Sean Murray Grading.”
SFSF’s corporate donations cover all the organization’s administrative and marketing expenses.
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Step Forward Scholarship Fund, Inc.
P.O. Box 4631
Chapel Hill, NC 27515-4631
[email protected]
Step Forward Scholarship Fund, Inc. is a 501c3 organization. EIN #83-3175469