Club Life Articles
September 2024: SFSF Dinner Announcements of 2025-2025 Recipients
October 2024: Andrea Valdez Chos Receives 2024 SFSF Governors Scholarship
March 2025: Natalia Quintana making her dream come true
May 2025: The Ching family on the courts with SFSF
June 2025: SFSF Receives 28 Applications for 2025-2026
SFSF Raises more than $9,000 At Spring Luncheon
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.
ON THE COURTS WITH STEP FORWARD
Two racquet professionals, two dogs, Enzo and Luna, and three children just two years apart in age. Who is this action-packed family with two Step Forward Scholarship Fund recipients and another child about to start college? Let’s look at Todd and Robyn Ching, parents of Alex, Logan, and Griffin. Alex and Logan received Step Forward Scholarships in 2024. Alex is a psychology major at Central Carolina Community College, taking a full-time load and packing in an additional 30 hours a week working at Carolina Meadows. She hopes to transfer to NC State before her junior year. Logan is finishing up his freshman year at UNC-Charlotte. He’s taken his core courses and, like many freshmen, is still trying to zero in on that perfect area of study. Logan played competitive junior golf through middle school, later playing on the varsity tennis team in high school. Griffin is a senior at Seaforth High School and has accepted his admission to NC State for the fall. Griffin has been in golf tournaments since age 7 and plays competitively with his high school team. The team won the state championship last year. Todd and Robyn have set the stage over the years to raise hard-working children. Robyn grew up in Southern California in an environment rich in tennis, beginning the sport at age 4. She went to a rigorous private school, Chadwick, and played over 3 hours of tennis a day in addition to schoolwork. She knew she wanted to play collegiately. Robyn’s father was a teacher at Chadwick. It became apparent that life with the family of three girls and numerous tennis lessons/tournaments was getting expensive. The next move was to Asheville, NC, where Robyn attended Carolina Day School from grades 9-12. Several years later, Robyn graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill, playing on the women’s tennis team at the university. During the summers, she taught tennis camps at UNC. Meanwhile, Todd Ching grew up in Chapel Hill and attended Durham Academy from grades 5-12. Todd later attended Appalachian State, transferring subsequently to a community college in Hilton Head. He taught tennis camps at UNC during the college summers. He must have looked dashing behind a tennis racquet because Robyn and Todd became an item in early college. Were Todd and Robyn both tennis-crazed growing up? Not both. Robyn lived and breathed schoolwork and tennis. On the other hand, Todd loved many different sports: soccer, basketball, and tennis. By age 10, Todd gravitated to tennis and played competitive junior tennis all through middle and high school, also playing on the varsity tennis team all 4 years in high school. Somehow, Todd was also on the school track team and achieved conference champion in the high jump. Interestingly enough, those hands that can grip a tennis racquet and blaze the ball also played the violin for many years. Today, a “typical day” for Todd or Robyn is not typical. Both may get to the courts for set-up at about 8:30 am. They run 2 or 3 hours of clinics, grab lunch, and run home to let the dogs out. In the afternoon, more clinics, lasting until 6:30 or 7:30 pm. And then there are the special Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day events, the weekend group pickleball lessons. It goes on and on. The question now becomes: How did Todd and Robyn raise the three kids, handle the school activities, and coordinate the numerous clinics at Governors Club? Did groceries magically appear at home? “When the kids were younger, life was a lot harder to juggle,” Robyn said. “We both tried to be as present as possible. With my young kids, I would schedule my afternoon tennis lessons around school pickup and getting the kids to golf and activities.” Other parents of friends were a big help, too, as were Todd’s parents. Robyn or Todd would often come back to GC and continue teaching after school pickup. Life scheduling was like playing the game Tetris, with each block falling into place— most of the time. Todd and Robyn have a lot of parenting experience in their lives. While Robyn handled a lot of pressure as a teen due to private school and the hours of tennis, she’s not sure that’s best for her kids. Regarding twins Alex and Logan, she says, “We’ve always thought it’s really important to realize that each kid is an individual. We have always encouraged their interests and tried to create the best environment for them to grow into their ‘best selves.’” Both Todd and Robyn are grateful for the help from SFSF. “Obviously, the financial assistance is important,” says Robyn. “Even more, the kids used the college application process provided through Step Forward mentoring. The mentors helped our children with unique ideas for their college application essays.” Robyn also added, with a distinctive twinkle in her voice, “Kids also respond so much better to advice from other adults rather than their parents.” SFSF President Nancy Broaddus says about our Step Forward parents: “Todd and Robyn Ching are not only outstanding professionals at Governors Club—they're also incredible parents. They've raised three remarkable children, two of whom we gladly welcomed as recipients in our Step Forward Scholarship program and a third who is about to begin college. It’s inspiring to see how they’ve nurtured each of their children's unique goals and talents while balancing their own jobs and maintaining such a high standard in their work. Their commitment to both their family and the GC community truly sets them apart.” 27 Club Life, May 2025
Two racquet professionals, two dogs, Enzo and Luna, and three children just two years apart in age. Who is this action-packed family with two Step Forward Scholarship Fund recipients and another child about to start college? Let’s look at Todd and Robyn Ching, parents of Alex, Logan, and Griffin. Alex and Logan received Step Forward Scholarships in 2024. Alex is a psychology major at Central Carolina Community College, taking a full-time load and packing in an additional 30 hours a week working at Carolina Meadows. She hopes to transfer to NC State before her junior year. Logan is finishing up his freshman year at UNC-Charlotte. He’s taken his core courses and, like many freshmen, is still trying to zero in on that perfect area of study. Logan played competitive junior golf through middle school, later playing on the varsity tennis team in high school. Griffin is a senior at Seaforth High School and has accepted his admission to NC State for the fall. Griffin has been in golf tournaments since age 7 and plays competitively with his high school team. The team won the state championship last year. Todd and Robyn have set the stage over the years to raise hard-working children. Robyn grew up in Southern California in an environment rich in tennis, beginning the sport at age 4. She went to a rigorous private school, Chadwick, and played over 3 hours of tennis a day in addition to schoolwork. She knew she wanted to play collegiately. Robyn’s father was a teacher at Chadwick. It became apparent that life with the family of three girls and numerous tennis lessons/tournaments was getting expensive. The next move was to Asheville, NC, where Robyn attended Carolina Day School from grades 9-12. Several years later, Robyn graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill, playing on the women’s tennis team at the university. During the summers, she taught tennis camps at UNC. Meanwhile, Todd Ching grew up in Chapel Hill and attended Durham Academy from grades 5-12. Todd later attended Appalachian State, transferring subsequently to a community college in Hilton Head. He taught tennis camps at UNC during the college summers. He must have looked dashing behind a tennis racquet because Robyn and Todd became an item in early college. Were Todd and Robyn both tennis-crazed growing up? Not both. Robyn lived and breathed schoolwork and tennis. On the other hand, Todd loved many different sports: soccer, basketball, and tennis. By age 10, Todd gravitated to tennis and played competitive junior tennis all through middle and high school, also playing on the varsity tennis team all 4 years in high school. Somehow, Todd was also on the school track team and achieved conference champion in the high jump. Interestingly enough, those hands that can grip a tennis racquet and blaze the ball also played the violin for many years. Today, a “typical day” for Todd or Robyn is not typical. Both may get to the courts for set-up at about 8:30 am. They run 2 or 3 hours of clinics, grab lunch, and run home to let the dogs out. In the afternoon, more clinics, lasting until 6:30 or 7:30 pm. And then there are the special Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day events, the weekend group pickleball lessons. It goes on and on. The question now becomes: How did Todd and Robyn raise the three kids, handle the school activities, and coordinate the numerous clinics at Governors Club? Did groceries magically appear at home? “When the kids were younger, life was a lot harder to juggle,” Robyn said. “We both tried to be as present as possible. With my young kids, I would schedule my afternoon tennis lessons around school pickup and getting the kids to golf and activities.” Other parents of friends were a big help, too, as were Todd’s parents. Robyn or Todd would often come back to GC and continue teaching after school pickup. Life scheduling was like playing the game Tetris, with each block falling into place— most of the time. Todd and Robyn have a lot of parenting experience in their lives. While Robyn handled a lot of pressure as a teen due to private school and the hours of tennis, she’s not sure that’s best for her kids. Regarding twins Alex and Logan, she says, “We’ve always thought it’s really important to realize that each kid is an individual. We have always encouraged their interests and tried to create the best environment for them to grow into their ‘best selves.’” Both Todd and Robyn are grateful for the help from SFSF. “Obviously, the financial assistance is important,” says Robyn. “Even more, the kids used the college application process provided through Step Forward mentoring. The mentors helped our children with unique ideas for their college application essays.” Robyn also added, with a distinctive twinkle in her voice, “Kids also respond so much better to advice from other adults rather than their parents.” SFSF President Nancy Broaddus says about our Step Forward parents: “Todd and Robyn Ching are not only outstanding professionals at Governors Club—they're also incredible parents. They've raised three remarkable children, two of whom we gladly welcomed as recipients in our Step Forward Scholarship program and a third who is about to begin college. It’s inspiring to see how they’ve nurtured each of their children's unique goals and talents while balancing their own jobs and maintaining such a high standard in their work. Their commitment to both their family and the GC community truly sets them apart.” 27 Club Life, May 2025
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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