Moonlight Cultural Foundation

2022 Heroes of Vista On March 18, 2022 the Vista Chamber of Commerce with the Vista Education Foundation held its 11th Annual Heroes of Vista Gala at The Vistonian. This event celebrates our local heroes in education, business, public service and more. More than 200 attendees joined us to honor those that have made a positive impact in our City. Vista Mayor Judy Ritter received the Lifetime Achievement Award on her last year in office after serving 23 years for the City of Vista. Special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, Tri-City Medical Center.

Business Person of the Year Julie Lowen Health Educator of the Year Marie Bojorquez VAVPA School Counselor

New Business of the Year Misadventure & Co. Non Profit of the Year Vista Elks Club 1968

Administrator of the Year Jeremy Walden Mission Vista High School Principal Classified Employee of the Year Veronica Edger Healthcare Hero of of the Year Jenessa French

Small Business of of the Year Andrea Ruano Direct Professional Cleaning Firefighter of of the Year Joseph Denhalter

Lifetime Achievement Award Mayor Judy Ritter

Arts Educator of the Year Zach Squibb

Our 2022 Heroes of Vista Honorees are:

Business Person of the Year: Julie Lowen - Children’s Paradise Small Business of the Year: Direct Professional Cleaning Service Non-Profit of the Year: Vista Elks Lodge 1968 New Business of the Year: Misadventure & Company

EducatiOn awards: Arts Educator of the Year: Zachary Squibb Technology Educator of the Year: Lauralee Juliano Administrator of the Year: Jeremy Walden Healthcare Person of the Year: Marie Bojorquez Classified Employee of the Year: Veronica “Cardie” Edgar

cOmmunity awards: Nick Ljubic Chamber Champion: David Zumaya Lifetime Achievement Award: Judy Ritter Veteran of the Year: George R. Monty, Jr.-USMC retired Healthcare Hero of the Year: Jenessa French Sheriff of the Year: Deputy Elizabeth Curtis Deputy Wesley Hatfield Firefighter of the Year: Joseph Denhalter

LOnGEVity awards: Boys & Girls Club of Vista 50 years McDonald's of Vista 40 years San Diego Gas & Electric Co. 40 years Vista Community Clinic 40 years Vista Historical Society 35 years San Diego County Credit Union 35 years Frazier Farms 30 years McCain, Inc. 30 years Paul V. L. Campo, Attorney, 30 years Moonlight Cultural Foundation/ Moonlight Angels Auxiliary 25 years Pacific Western Bank 25 years

Moonlight Cultural Foundation Lends a Supporting Hand

By Barb Miltenberger

all know and love Vista’s Moonlight Amphitheatre venue and Moonlight Stage Productions who puts on fabulous Broadway-quality shows at this magnificent open-air location, but how many of us are familiar with the Moonlight Cultural Foundation (MCF)? MCF is a nonprofit organization that seeks to both build and engage by providing arts experiences and they render financial and philanthropic support to Moonlight Stage Productions and Moonlight Youth Theatre. They also partner with the City of Vista in support of Moonlight programming, and sponsor events like Jingle Terrace Park which takes place in December. That month-long drive-through holiday light event also benefits the San Diego Food Bank by collecting canned goods from attenders that choose to contribute. 2022 will also bring the Royal Ball fundraising gala which will take place on April 30th, and a fundraising concert July 8th with Yachtly Crew. The funds they raise all year long through various campaigns help in many areas such as offsetting actor and orchestra salaries, helping with marketing expenses, providing ongoing educational opportunities, and making improvements and physical upgrades in the areas of sound, lighting, seating and more. They effectively bridge the gap between the cost of providing Broadway quality musical theatre and ticket revenues. Because of their efforts, enjoying a show at Moonlight Amphitheatre is more accessible to the community.

MCF has two auxiliaries. The Moonlight Angels Auxiliary was formed in 1992 to aid, sponsor and assist the foundation with fundraising and provides a volunteer workforce for the foundation and Moonlight. The auxiliary is comprised of dedicated individuals that band together to help Moonlight do what they do best! Perhaps you have seen the Angels selling raffle tickets before the shows or in the aisles ready to help you find your seat. They hold various fundraising events of their own throughout the year. They are a valued service group and doing big things to help with all things Moonlight. The Moonlight Youth Theatre Auxiliary puts its fundraising dollars towards art education and