"Installation of Officers: 2014 - 2015"

Past president of BFSRA and past State president, Marion Hughes, installed the following officers for the 2014 - 2015 year. They are, from left to right:  President, Tom Callahan; Marion Hughes; VP and Program Chair, Dottie Stevens; Treasurer, Marlys Mayer; and Secretary, Lew Edming. We not only wish them well in their new terms but offer any assistance they may need in order to more effectively fulfill their terms as they advance the missions of both WSSRA and our own local association, BFSRA.

"Final Message from President Jim Bumgarner"

Jim taking potshots at pigeons from aboard the USS Yorktown.

And so we end another year here at BFSRA, and what a great year it has been!  We have welcomed many new members, awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships and teacher grants,  delivered nine monthly newsletters, four of which are snail mailed, to over 600 people, provided hundreds of Toys for Tots during the holiday season, and hosted a very successful Pre-Retirement Workshop to over 100 people. 

Outstanding programs from Terry Simmelink entertaining us in August; to the Candidate's Debate; Saundra Hill, Supt. PSD; the Toy Drive; Lisa Toomey and the Hanford Reach Project; Callaway Gardens and Alzheimers;  and WSU Tri-Cities, presented by Chancellor H. Keith Moo-Young, kept us entertained, interested and informed.

We continue to try to cut a few expenses by decreasing snail-mailed newsletters and increasing email deliveries (snail-mail deliveries cost just over $1200/year for four issues).  We want to significantly increase the number of teachers applying for our grants, and we have some good ideas about how to go about doing so. And we have newly elected leaders chomping at the bit to get next year put together before August arrives.

We are in good hands with Tom Callahan, Dottie Stevens, Marlys Mayer and Lew Edming at the helm for the upcoming year. 

Thank YOU for two great years as your President, and here's hoping you have a great summer!  

Jim Bumgarner, Outgoing President 

May 19, 2014: Memorial Service

Thanks to President-elect, Tom Callahan, and Leona Hassing for the Memorial Services they presented at our last luncheon of the year.  Announcements were distributed to members and as Tom called out names, Leona placed a red rose into a vase for each named called.



 

"Scholarship Winners: 2013"

As we like to say  here at BFSRA,  we like to "grow our own," and in so doing, our scholarship winners were proudly awarded their scholarships at the April luncheon this past Monday.

They are, from left to right: 

Neydeen Martinez is a Pasco High Running Start student who plans to transfer to Eastern Washington University to pursue an elementary education major and Spanish minor. She received a $1,000 BFSRA scholarship.

Madeline Serrano, a Pasco High senior, is planning to teach kindergarten after attending Eastern Washington University as an early childhood major. She received a $1,000 BFSRA scholarship and also a Washington State School Retirees Association Foundation $1,500 scholarship.

Kaitlynn Kleinbach of Connell High School is planning to attend Whitworth University as an early elementary education major. She received a $900 Robert J. Handy Scholarship, sponsored by PEMCO, that is renewable for four years, for a total of $3,600.

Courtney Lybbert of Southridge High plans to major in elementary education and minor in child development. Her goal is teaching grades K-4. She received a $1,000 scholarship.

Unable to the luncheon was, Gianna Nino-Tapio, a senior at Southridge High School, who is considering enrollment at Oregon State University with a dual major in education and health. She received a $1,000 scholarship.

A large dose of gratitude goes to Scholarship Committee Co-Chairs, Shirley Frare and Alice Allison, for their dedication and hard work that went into this year's selections; and to Don Parks for stepping in to make the presentations at the luncheon due to Shirley and Alice both not being able to attend.  All went very well.