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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