Coronado Promise endeavor emerges as watershed moment for Scottsdale Charros
By Terrance Thornton | Digital Free Press
The Scottsdale Charros believe equitable access to quality public education is an inalienable right of all American children.
“Education is the great equalizer,” said Scottsdale Charros Executive Director Dennis Robbins.
“Education plays a significant role in helping end the cycle of poverty by providing students with improved opportunities for the future. More education is associated with higher lifetime incomes, better job prospects, a longer life, increased community involvement, and better physical and mental health.”
At the Scottsdale Unified School District is a growing effort — The Coronado Promise — where students who meet academic criteria receive a two-year scholarship to a school part of the Maricopa County Community Colleges District of which Scottsdale Community College is a member.
Scottsdale Community College counts Art DeCabooter as one of its founding fathers whereas Mr. DeCabooter served the community as a Scottsdale Charro for decades.
Helping through support of public education is part of the Scottsdale Charro DNA, Mr. Robbins explains.
“Giving back to Scottsdale is a real honor,” he said, noting Mahatma Gandhi is credited with saying, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
For Mr. Robbins, as executive director and as a Scottsdale Charro, the efforts embodied through the Coronado Promise have a ripple effect throughout the community.
“I know that the donations, scholarships, and grants that the Charros are able to give make a huge impact in the lives of many in our community,” he said. “But at the same time, the ability to give back and make a difference in our community is a life-changing event for the volunteers as well.”
The scholarship, managed by The Charro Foundation, is a collaboration with the Coronado Foundation for the Future, Scottsdale Community College, Coronado High School, Scottsdale Unified School District, and the city of Scottsdale.
Most notably, Robert Flick, through the Flick Family Foundation has committed to $50,000 per year for the 10 years in scholarship funds meanwhile the Scottsdale Charros will match those funds for the next 10 years.
Mr. Flick is a graduate of Coronado High School attending the U.S. Naval Academy on full scholarship, which he says was catalyst for providing promise dollars.
The Charro Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Scottsdale Charros, who for more than 60 years have been steadfast in the pursuit of supporting public education through being the “boots on the ground” through positive community impact.
The groups, which collectively make up the Coronado Promise, gathered on May 19 to celebrate 25 scholarship recipients. These Coronado High School seniors and their families were honored with a dinner and program, the highlight of which was the ceremonial signing of The Coronado Promise.
The gravity of a promise
Scottsdale Charro John Arnold, who is serving as education chair and longtime community volunteer, attended the event and recalls the gravity of the moment fondly.
“I was there. I will tell you the amount of pride beaming from these parents was incredible,” he said. “The students were there, and you could tell they understood the accomplishment, but the parents were just absolutely beaming.”
Mr. Arnold says a paramount focus of the education efforts at the Scottsdale Charros is making sure children know people care.
“Each year, we ask ourselves, how can we further help improve our world class city?” he said. “The Coronado Promise is our new way of giving back. We want the families and students in south Scottsdale to know, that the community cares about them and that we are going to ensure that if you graduate from Coronado High School, you will have funding for a 2-year associates degree at Scottsdale Community College.”
Mr. Arnold, a finance expert by trade, offers strong public education is a key steppingstone for the economy.
“A strong public education program is essential for our entire community to reach its potential,” he said. “A strong public school system leads to great citizens, a strong labor force, continued strong housing demand, and our future community and business leaders. It all starts with ensuring every Scottsdale child gets a quality education.”
Beyond scholarships and the ongoing Coronado Promise effort, Mr. Arnold explains the Charros education committee expect big returns this current funding year.
“The Charros Education committee has an exciting year planned,” he said. “In addition to our normal programs, we are excited to also start funding our new public safety scholarships for police and fire cadets in addition to some student STEM program funding.”
Breaking down barriers at Scottsdale Schools
On the Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board is Patty Beckman, who has served with distinguished elected service as the board’s president and now as senior member, and she explains the efforts of The Coronado Promise at its core is seeking to break down barriers.
“Costs associated with post-secondary learning, both college and trade school, have risen tremendously over the last decade,” she pointed out. “By removing financial barriers, we motivate our students to work hard, follow their dreams and build on the foundation of academic excellence created in SUSD schools. In this collaborative effort, many community stakeholders have come together to ensure our students could move forward and become educated productive members of society.”
Ms. Beckman, elected to the governing board in 2018, is a parent, wife and working mother who has enjoyed a successful 23-year career in finance.
“Most people agree, for Arizona to thrive we need an educated workforce,” she said of the practical economic benefit of strong public schools. “Throughout the state, discussions are taking place about how to help the next generation of students further their education without creating a financial hardship. By establishing The Coronado Promise Scholarship, we have begun to create a solution.”
Through partnerships like the one allowing the Scottsdale Charros to work with the San Francisco Giants to raise vital funds is paramount in ensuring efforts like The Coronado Promise can thrive in Scottsdale and beyond, Ms. Beckman contends.
“With the generous support of our community we will continue to pave the way for others to work together and make a difference for all students,” she said. “Many wonderful things have been accomplished through the Coronado Promise effort.”
According to Ms. Beckman, accomplishments include:
- A considerable number of donations from the community and because of this generosity a sustainable scholarship program is established.
- The structured Promise Scholarship provides support beyond high school and throughout the student’s educational journey. Mentoring and guidance established to ensure student success.
- The Promise Scholarship demonstrates to our Coronado High School students the community believes in their future.
