Scottsdale public education champions launch the Coronado Promise Scholarship

Coronado High School was the setting for the momentous occasion that attracted:

• Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega;
• Scottsdale Charros Executive Director Dennis Robbins;
• Coronado Foundation for the Future Executive Director Karen Beckvar;
• Scottsdale Unified School District Superintendent Scott Menzel; and
• Governing Board Member Patty Beckman, among many other representatives from Scottsdale community organizations like the Scottsdale Charros.

Describing how “life is a journey,” Mayor Ortega likened education to “the pot of gold,” necessary for success.

“My own first experiences started here on this campus mentoring students,” Ortega said.

“Through this journey, we have come to a point where we are at with the Coronado Promise … Eager student may have the obstacle of funding hurdles they cannot overcome. This promise is something that will elevate our city as a whole.”

Elevation is possible as community leaders and representatives have pledged a partnership to make higher learning attainable for Coronado High School students by setting a community goal through the Coronado Promise, which is a tuition-free scholarship for the first two years at a Maricopa Community College or trade school.

Also, the program offers the Promise Pathway effort, which supports additional needs of K-12 students in the Coronado Learning Community.

The promise includes additional support necessary to prepare for higher learning, which entails students receiving more academic and social-emotional support along with college and career readiness skills throughout elementary, middle, and high school, according to a press release.

Representatives from Coronado Foundation for the Future, Scottsdale Charros, Scottsdale Community College, Coronado High School, SUSD and the city of Scottsdale met for the past two years to develop and enhance the Coronado Promise that states:

“Together, we promise to promote early aspirations of higher education, provide funding for tuition, and support achievement in higher education for the Coronado Learning Community.”

–Dennis Robbins

“The students of Coronado High School are working hard, often carrying the weight of their family’s expectations to become the first person to attend college or other advanced education,” said Robbins explaining the “low-income students,” of the area will be the first in their families to attend a higher learning institution.

“We support and encourage that ambition and want to help ease their path, removing as many obstacles inhibiting their success as we can.”

Robbins encouraged the community to join the effort embodied in the Coronado Promise.

“I need your help. Your help as our community is critical. We cannot accomplish this monumental task without your help,” he said of the importance of a quality education. “Help us light a fire in the hearts of our Coronado students. Help us make sure our Coronado seniors are ready for college or trade school education. Help us provide scholarships so that finances are not a barrier to a better life.”

He noted the community’s responsibility to ensure students are graduating high school and have the option to attend a postsecondary education if they desire.

The average high school dropout will reportedly cost taxpayers over $292,000 in lower tax revenues. The average high school graduate generates a positive lifetime fiscal contribution of $287,000, and the average college graduate generates a positive lifetime fiscal contribution of $793,079.

Education is said to significantly help end the cycle of poverty by providing students with improved opportunities for the future as more education is associated with higher lifetime incomes, better job prospects, a longer life, increased community involvement, and better physical and mental health.

Robbins noted how big the budget is to accomplish the goal of providing a full $5,000 scholarship to a two-year community college.

“If we want to send 100 seniors to college, we need $500,000 per year. If we want to ensure these students are college ready, we need additional counselors, social workers, reading specialists, and math specialists, ” he said.

“To adequately staff these positions, we need $700,000 per year. In addition, we need additional summer programs like JUMP START, we want a robust mentorship program, and measurement tools to chart our course and improve our programs and services. This will cost an additional $200,000 per year.”

Removing barriers for students to attend higher learning, is noted to help prepare them for successful careers and productive futures.

The Coronado Foundation for the Future began the Coronado Promise Scholarship in 2019 after providing “Service above Self” scholarships for 10 years with money donated by the Papago Rotary Club in 2008. Help for a single student in 2009 has reportedly grown to supporting 15 students in 2021 and about 20 students in 2022.

The Coronado Promise Partners, led by the Scottsdale Charros, aims to raise $150,000 to support more than 30 Coronado High School graduates each year.

“This promise is near and dear to my heart not only because the students of Coronado benefit from this program, but also because growing up in Pittsburgh, I saw the positive impact the Pittsburgh Promise had on the community,” said Coronado High School Principal Amy Palatucci.

“Coronado students are the future leaders of tomorrow and deserve every opportunity to succeed. Our Coronado students and community are most deserving of the support this promise scholarship will provide. With this commitment and promise, we are investing in our students — our future.”

Scottsdale Charros Education Chairman Andrew Beardsley said “it was easy to jump into this dream with both feet,” and could not pass on an opportunity to directly impact the lives of deserving SUSD students.

“We believe in the ripple effect and know that positively influencing the education of these students will reap community benefits for generations as these kids pursue and achieve their dreams,” Beardsley said.

Fulfilling the promise and dreams of deserving students was something Coronado Alumnus Rob (CHS 1971) and Jennifer Flick set out to do, pledging $1 million to support the program upon learning about the Coronado Promise Scholarship.

Coronado Family Foundation

The Flick Family Foundation has committed to $50,000 per year for the next 10 years in scholarship funds and will match dollar-for-dollar additional funds raised for the program up to $50,000 per year for 10 years.

“The Coronado Foundation for the Future has been committed to the students at Coronado High School for 20 years. Getting to know our scholarship students through their applications, interviews, and as we follow them through their education journey is what makes it all worthwhile. To provide funding to every Coronado High School graduate who desires to pursue Scottsdale Community College, any Maricopa Community College or career/trade degree/certification would be incredible.

Without the incredible gift from the Flick Family Foundation and our partners at the Scottsdale Charros who will expand our fundraising capabilities to meet the matching fund challenge, the expansion of this scholarship program would have taken many more years. We are grateful for all the Coronado Promise Partners who are working together to fulfill our vision for the Coronado Promise,” said Beckvar, Coronado Foundation for the Future executive director.

Remembering when he attended Coronado High School, about 50 years ago, Flick said how happy he was to provide to funds to help students go to school.

“I really believe in education. My parents could not have afforded to send me to college. I could not have gone on to college without a full ride,” he said, noting his experience at the Naval Academy at Annapolis. “My goal is to not have 25 scholarships, but 100 scholarships a year and then we will try to get other schools to follow along in our path.”

Since joining the SUSD Governing Board in 2019, Beckman said she knew she wanted to support the initiative.

“I am filled with gratitude seeing so many of our community partners come together to help change the lives of our deserving Coronado students. I look forward to watching the success of this program for generations to come,” added Beckman.

The Coronado Promise Partners, led by the Scottsdale Charros, aims to raise $150,000 to support more than 30 Coronado High School graduates each year.