VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Where we’ve been, where we’re going

By Lori Marie Rios

There is nothing better than being with colleagues, Brinegar, “That is what I want to do!” I knew then challenging ourselves to be better and learning that I wanted to serve on the ACDA board so that I new things. We all have endured a year of learning in could help others grow and learn. (Jim Yowell, thank a totally different way. For me, learning a new platform you! You were a great president and inspiration!) (Canvas) took most of my summer. Like many of us, It would be eleven years before I would be asked to being prepared or not being prepared to start online in run as Southern representative, when I was teaching at August was a daunting thought. However, we all did La Cañada Middle/High School. Eight years later I it. We may not like it, but we accomplished it. For me, was nominated to run for President, and I was honored relying on my colleagues to talk me off the ledge was and blessed to be elected. I loved every minute and I my safety net. Taking classes online to be better for my continue to serve; my work is not done yet. students was a priority. I did it and you did too! When I was a first-year teacher, You see, what I figured out (through many trials and errors) is that I need teaching K-8 music at a small people around me who want me to be Catholic school, I decided that I better. Many colleagues that I have met wanted to attend something called through ACDA have become my dearest “ECCO” hosted by California friends and confidants. I also know that ACDA. I badly wanted to go, but if it hadn’t been for some financial help I was genuinely concerned about from a mentor, I would have not been how I was going to come up with able to attend my first ECCO. the money to attend. My dear During my presidency I was friend Desiree LaVertu agreed to challenged by Angel Vázquez-Ramos go, and we drove up to ECCO to start something that would change with my mentor, Don Brinegar. the trajectory of the next few years. I was fortunate: Don helped me Before the end of my term, I presented financially so that I could attend a proposal to the board that we start a my very first ECCO. Upon our fund that would give scholarships to its arrival I was giddy with excitement membership through applications for (and those who know me now Lori Marie works her magic at continuing education. We named it the know that when I’m giddy it’s a the 2016 summer conference. “Vision for the Future Scholarship Fund.” little scary). I knew no one except Our kickoff was spectacular, with over 80 Desiree, Don, and Dr. Ron Kean and Dr. Jo-Michael people giving approximately $13,000 to the fund. A Scheibe, whom I’d met. As I sat in the chapel listening year later we awarded the first Charles Hirt Memorial to Dr. Scheibe, I wanted to know more, meet more Scholarship to Mariia Pechenova, who attended an people, and never stop striving for excellence. I went to orchestral/choral conducting workshop in New York. every plenary session, interest session, social hour, and Over the past four years we have continued to build church service. At the opening of the evening plenary, the VFTF Scholarship, and I started an advisory a man got up and introduced himself as the President committee comprising past presidents of CCDA and of California ACDA. I was mesmerized with his words ACDA to discuss creating more scholarships. This about leadership and service. I turned and said to Don committee is chaired by Ron Kean, Past Western

Division President, with members at large Shirley Nute, Past California President, Jim Shepherd, Past California President, Angel Vázquez-Ramos, Central Region Representative, and me as CCDA Vision for the Future Chair. In 2019, we awarded scholarships by application to three individuals to attend the 2020 CCDA Summer Conference at ECCO. In the spring of 2020, the Charles Hirt Scholarship was awarded to Carlin Truong.

It has been an amazing journey into an area about which I know nothing: development.

But I know more than I thought. Building relationships, respecting choices and building something greater than myself….sounds like a choral ensemble! Over these past few years, I have met and thanked so many ACDA members who have helped build the fund: I cannot say thank you enough. However, we have not stopped there.

This past summer we began developing two new scholarships, one written by Christopher Peterson and the other by the new subcommittee on diversity chaired by Christy Rohayem. They were both presented to the executive board and approved. These scholarships are the following:

1. Vision for the Future Creativity Grant:

Supporting ideas that focus on “Creating Opportunities Promoting Excellence.”

2. Vision for the Future Equity Scholarship:

Intended to encourage BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) choral educators.

The Vision for the Future Scholarship Fund currently has six scholarships under its umbrella. As a person who benefited from someone’s giving, I am once again reminded that we are all in need of continuing education. Please join me in building this fund as we look at 2021 and beyond.

If you’ll notice in this Cantate, we only have 19 active donors. For those who have given before, please consider giving again, and for those who have not given, consider becoming a contributor. Any dollar amount is welcomed. You can also pledge a monthly donation for the fiscal year.

I know that CCDA can work together to encourage all of us to be lifelong learners. You can find the scholarship requirements, explanation and application with deadlines on calcda.org/resources/vision/. 