West Covina Rose Float Foundation

2010 Scholarship Winners Announced

Frank Scalfaro — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 14:37:06 +0000

In an effort to further its mission to provide educational opportunities to the youth of our community, the West Covina Rose Float Foundation, announced today, the winners of their 2010 Scholarship Program. This marks the fifth year that the Foundation has awarded scholarships to youths in our community.

To be eligible the student must currently be a full-time high school senior, volunteered for an organization serving West Covina, and completed an application with an essay describing why their community service work is important to them and the community they serve.

The West Covina Rose Float Foundation is awarding three scholarships, one in the amount of $1,000 and two in the amount of $750. The winners are as follows:

First Place ($1,000 Scholarship)

• Miss Breanna Lujan of West Covina. Breanna just graduated from West Covina High School where she has excelled academically and graduated in the Top 5 of her class. She has volunteered hundreds of hours with numerous organizations, including: The Aquarium of the Pacific, Colonial Manor Convalescent Hospital, East Valley Community Health Center, Inland Valley Humane Society, and the West Covina Youth Council. Breanna is planning on attending Yale University in the fall.

Second Place ($750 Scholarship)

• Miss Anna Dimitruk of Covina. Anna just graduated from Bishop Amat High School where she graduated with over a 4.0 G.P.A. She has volunteered hundreds of hours with the Assistance League of the Covina Valley, where she serves as President of the Assisteens Auxiliary, and as a Student Ambassador at Bishop Amat High School. Anna is planning on attending U.C. Berkeley in the fall.

• Miss Julie Kim of Rowland Heights. Julie just graduated from South Hills High School where she graduated with a 3.9 G.P.A. She has volunteered over a hundred hours at numerous organizations, including: Queen of the Valley Hospital, Citrus Valley Hospice, Covina Public Library, and Serenity Infant Care Homes. Julie is planning on attending U.C.L.A. in the fall.

The West Covina Rose Float Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and is fully responsible for the management and fundraising activities of their annual entry into the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade^®. In the twelve years of participating in the Rose Parade, the West Covina Rose Float Foundation has earned six trophies, including the Isabella Coleman, Past President, and Mayor’s Trophies.

Foundation visits Pasadena Tournament House

Frank Scalfaro — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:26:19 +0000

Foundation visits Tournament House for Picture Day

[View with PicLens]

The West Covina Rose Float Foundation visited the Pasadena Tournament House on November 7 for the official “Picture Day” with the Rose Queen, Princesses and Tournament Officials.

Frank Scalfaro — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:15:59 +0000

A Note of Special Thanks…

Historical Photos of Tuskegee Airmen now shared through our site

We would like to extend a special Thank You to Donna Schaal, cosultant to the Lincoln Trails Libraries System, and Mark Hanson, curator of the Chanute Air Museum, for providing us with a wonderful series of historical photos and information about the Tuskegee Airmen. As we work this year to honor these brave men for their heroic actions, these photographs provide a clear picture of the lives and times these fine gentlemen.

Over the coming weeks, we will be featuring a number of these photographs both on our site, and at our various events. We encourge everyone to take a look and appreciate the dedication of the Tuskegee Airmen both on our site and at the Chanute Air Museum’s online photo gallery, provided by DigitalGems.info and the Lincoln TRils Libraries System.

Frank Scalfaro — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:00:58 +0000

West Covina Rose Float Foundation Unveils 2010 Design

“Entry Pays Tribute to Tuskegee Airmen”

On Thursday, July 2, 2009, the West Covina Rose Float Foundation hosted a special event at our office in Heritage Park (3510 East Cameron Avenue, West Covina, CA 91791) where we unveiled the design of our twelfth consecutive entry into the prestigious Pasadena Tournament of Roses® Parade to be held on January 1, 2010.

Joining our President, Frank Scalfaro, for ths memorable event were some original airmen from the Los Angeles Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen. They are from left to right, Ed Tillmon, Dr. “Rocky” Higginbotham, Clarence Finley, Mitch Higginbotham, Ted Lumpkin (President of the LA Chapter), Claude Davis and Oliver Goodall.

This year the West Covina Rose Float Foundation’s entry title “Tuskegee Airmen –A Cut Above,” pays tribute to the service, bravery, and commitment of the Tuskegee Airmen. At the event were surviving Tuskegee Airmen, members of the West Covina Rose Float Foundation, officials from the City of West Covina, representatives from Charisma Floats (who are constructing the float in Irwindale, California), as well as community members and the news media.

The Tuskegee Airmen is the name of a group of African American airmen who served with distinction during World War II. The 332nd Fighter Group of the US Army Air Corps trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama. This Fighter Group included the 99th Fighter Squadron that began training in July 1941 and served with distinction in North Africa and European campaigns.

Also known as the “Redtails”, because of the distinctive red paint on the vertical stabilizers of the unit’s aircraft, the 99th Fighter Squadron received two Distinguished Unit Citations, several Silver Stars, 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 8 Purple Hearts, 14 Bronze Stars, and 744 Air Medals. By the end of the war, 992 pilots were trained in Tuskegee. In addition, approximately 17,000 African American men and women were trained for service in the Army Air Corps, including mechanics, communication specialists, cooks, medical technicians, parachute riggers, administrative clerks, flight instructors, navigators, and bombardiers.

The West Covina Rose Float Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and is fully responsible for the management and fundraising activities of their annual entry into the Pasadena Tournament of Roses® Parade. In the twelve years of participating in the Rose Parade®, the West Covina Rose Float Foundation has earned four trophies, including the Isabella Coleman, Past President, and Mayor’s Trophies.

Please Send us your comments

Frank Scalfaro — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:34:00 +0000

We are interested in hearing what you have to say!

Our Foundation is excited and proud of our Rose Float theme this year as we honor the brave men who served our country as part of the Tuskegee Airmen. This year’s float theme is a tribute to the dedication, honor and hard work of all those who contributed to this historic achievement. As our float is being built, we would love to hear from you! Please send us your comments, thoughts, and even your stories about the Tuskegee Airmen you know.

2010 Float News…

Frank Scalfaro — Tue, 26 May 2009 22:23:43 +0000

Design Near Complete!!

Our Foundation met recently with our designer, Raul Rodriquez, and some Tuskegee Airmen to discuss our design which we hope to unveil by early July 2009. Come back and visit us often as we keep you posted.

Our 12th Consecutive Entry!!!

Frank Scalfaro — Thu, 14 May 2009 17:01:48 +0000

After numerous weeks of planning and consideration of alternative funding sources, we have made the decision go forward with our 12^th consecutive float entry in the Tournament of Roses parade!! With the parade theme titled “2010 – A Cut Above the Rest”, we have decided to pay tribute and to honor the Tuskegee Airmen. These brave World War II men endured significant challenges during a time when their accomplishments were not recognized. Our Foundation is in the process of designing this year’s float to celebrate those achievements. As always, thank you for your support and we will keep you posted as events progress.