TOSCA
The Orestimba Scholarship Community Association
TOSCA
The Orestimba Scholarship Community Association
Our Mission
As we progress through the 21st Century, higher education is more important than ever to the youth of our community. TOSCA’s charge is to create a community-wide effort to increase the interest of higher education in our youth, whether it be in vocational or collegiate institutions.
Our goals and purpose include:
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To increase the number of scholarships available to our high school seniors and graduates seeking further education
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To honor junior high and high school students for their academic excellence.
Since TOSCA’s inception in 1993 over $2,171,000 has been awarded in scholarships and academic annuities to over 1,950 deserving students of the Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District.
The continued success of TOSCA means increased financial aid to help our youth continue their education after high school. TOSCA’s charge is to continue to create a community-wide effort to increase the interest of higher education in our youth, whether it be in vocation or collegiate institutions.
Points of Interest
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The organization was formed in 1993 with the efforts of Bob McConnell the charter president of the organization
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A 15 member board of directors serves the organization with an advisory panel consisting of the principal of the middle school, the principal of the high school, the superintendent of the school district and a representative from the city council. The board of directors conducts monthly meetings.
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TOSCA is a California 501c3 non-profit corporation.
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Endowment funds ($250,000) from the Estate of Dorothy and Ben Arnhold were willed to the Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District in the latter part of 1993 and the district named TOSCA as the vehicle to distribute the scholarship funds. Only interest earned on the endowment is distributed annually.
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In 1995 TOSCA began a program of honoring the Top 10 students of grades 8-11 with $50 annuities. The annuities are paid in addition to other scholarships earned by the students. To be paid the annuities, students must meet the minimum requirements of a TOSCA scholarship. Top 10 senior students are awarded certificates of achievement.
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In 1996, former school board member and Crows Landing resident, John Patrick Grisez passed away and willed an endowment fund of $100,000 to the school district with the stipulation that the funds be distributed to students seeking further education in the fields of law and medicine. Only interest earned on the endowment will be distributed.
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In 1998 the school district formed an investment committee consisting of the district superintendent, the district finance manager, two representatives from TOSCA and a member of the school district board of trustees. The committee is responsible for investment decisions of the Arnhold and Grisez Endowments.
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In December 2000, former Newman resident, businessman and Orestimba Union High School graduate, Ernie Prien contributed $1,000,000 to TOSCA. Two endowment funds were created from the generous gift; A $500,000 scholarship fund for college undergraduates and college graduates seeking further degrees and a $500,000 school fund to enhance educational programs within the school district. Only the interest earned on the endowments will be distributed.
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A TOSCA Endowment Scholarship Fund was formed in January of 2001. With five levels of giving beginning at $5,000 with an Honorary Degree, this program will enhance the annual TOSCA fundraising drives. Benefactors and outright contributors will both be honored each year at the annual scholarship banquet.
Honorary Degree Level: $5,000
Associate Degree Level: $10,000
Bachelors Degree Level: $15,000
Masters Degree Level: $20,000
Doctorate Level: $25,000 or more
About TOSCA
Scholarship Awarding History
1994: $13,950, 18 recipients
18 OHS Seniors
1995: $26,745, 46 recipients
27 OHS Seniors, 19 College students
1996: $47,115, 78 recipients
40 OHS Seniors, 36 College students
1997: $57,895, 61 recipients
34 OHS Seniors, 27 College students
1998: $54,650, 61 recipients
35 OHS Seniors, 24 College students
1999: $65,620, 70 recipients
38 OHS Seniors, 32 College students
2000: $55,185, 48 recipients
19 OHS Seniors, 29 College students
2001: $76,000, 56 recipients
25 OHS Seniors, 31 College students
2002: $75,100, 84 recipients
31 OHS Seniors, 53 College students
2003: $66,650, 61 recipients
21 OHS Seniors, 40 College students
2004: $58,100, 50 recipients
20 OHS Seniors, 30 College students
2005: $64,150, 53 recipients
18 OHS Seniors, 35 College students
2006: $68,700, 54 recipients
27 OHS Seniors, 27 College students
2007: $77,600, 56 recipients
23 OHS Seniors, 33 College students
2008: $100,000-plus, 80 recipients
40 OHS Seniors, 40 College students
2009: $64,975, 82 recipients
32 OHS Seniors, 50 College students
2010: $70,400, 74 recipients
34 OHS Seniors, 39 College students
2011: $83,905, 89 recipients
49 OHS Seniors, 40 College students
2012: $105,150, 86 recipients
44 OHS Seniors, 42 College students
2013: $99,350, 87 recipients
38 OHS Seniors, 49 College students
2014: $117,675, 104 recipients
33 OHS Seniors, 71 College students
2015: $144,850, 99 recipients
39 OHS Seniors, 99 College students
2016: $144,850, 95 recipients
26 OHS Seniors, 69 College students
2017: $142,050, 111 recipients
48 OHS Seniors, 63 College students
2018: $145,000, 104 recipients
41 OHS Seniors, 63 College students
2019: $171,300, 128 recipients
54 OHS Seniors, 74 College students