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The Celeste Johnson Endowment Scholarship

Open for application on November 1st.

Celeste and her husband, George, were founding members of Valley Christian High School. Like many parents in the East Valley, they desired a Christian high school for their two children. Their son, Noah, graduated in 1988 and their daughter, Dara, in 1993.

For Celeste, volunteering early where she could was a commitment to see the school succeed. During her 17 years with VCHS, she was a part of many FIRSTS for her and the school.

Early on, she found herself holding down responsibilities as the study hall’s FIRST monitor. She took this opportunity to get to know the students, teachers, and what was required to make the school run. During the term of the second administrator, she moved into the role of school secretary. This included normal administrative responsibilities. She began working with parents to get their student enrolled, talking to donors, manning the phones, and handling all school correspondence, all while making sure VCHS maintained a good tenant/landlord relationship with Bethany Church.

It was typing letters that caused her grief, handling the carbon paper necessary to make multiple copies. So George and Celeste bought a personal computer as part of an employee purchase program where George worked. They set it up on their kitchen table at home, and Celeste went to work mastering the mouse, printer, and most of all the word processing software. After a week, she was proficient enough, so they donated the equipment to VCHS, the school’s FIRST computer.

A sudden departure of the administrator during the school year left a void in leadership, and Celeste stepped up and assumed a greater role, expanding her contribution beyond her secretarial duties. She became responsible for financial issues like payroll preparation and accounts payable processing. The expanded role gave her opportunities to increase her involvement in class scheduling, career guidance, and the administration of scholarships. Another first came when the school was experiencing a significant financial need. The decision was made to hold the FIRST VCHS corporate fundraiser, a yard (parking lot) sale on the property of Bethany Church. Celeste took on the task, calling for donations, scheduling deliveries, and rounding up volunteers needed to support the large endeavor. God blessed the sale, and a whopping $1,500 was raised to meet the financial need.

As VCHS added more students and staff, it became apparent that a full-time school counselor was needed. Celeste moved to that position, working with students to help find their college of choice. Her relationship with college recruiters, both academic and athletic, provided students with the best possible options available after graduation. Her love for the students, staff, and parents provided counseling opportunities well beyond her job description.

Celeste left VCHS in 2005 and moved to Tempe’s “Care 7,” where she started the FIRST Victim Advocacy program, providing legal and moral support for victims of crime.

It is the wish of George Johnson to honor the sacrifice and dedication his wife Celeste modeled for 17 years at VCHS. He is a proud husband and put this endowment together as a surprise to Celeste. It is the profound wish of the Johnsons that students receive a Christian education at VCS, and through this endowment scholarship, more students will grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

For many years Celeste was truly the glue who did so very much to help hold Valley together while wearing a number of different hats.  She is worthy of recognition and high honor.  No better way to do that than a scholarship for deserving students.

-Steve Yarbrough

Looking to give (donors)?

Use the giving form below to give a tax-deductible gift in support of this annual scholarship. More information on the scholarship can be found below.

Looking to apply (families)?

Families that would like to apply for this annual scholarship may do so using the application form below (if the form is unavailable, the application window is currently closed).

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APPLICATION CRITERIA

Financial need-based scholarship for a current VCS family.

 

AWARD AMOUNT

$1,500, one-time scholarship, to be awarded and distributed annually.

 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

  • Applicants will be a current VCS K-12 student
  • Applicant families must have a FACTS Grant and Aid application completed and on file for the school year the scholarship applies.
  • An essay is required from both the student’s parent(s) and the student as part of the application criteria.
  • Parent(s) should complete an essay (up to 300 words) describing the family, the financial need, and their passion for Christian education.
    • Student should complete an essay (up to 300 words) describing their desire for a Christian education at VCS.  Parents may assist children K-6.

 

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLY

  • Complete the form below.
  • The application window is from November 1st to January 31st.
  • The recipient will be notified by the end of February.
  • The scholarship will be awarded by the end of May.
  • This scholarship is for a student’s VCS tuition. If necessary, the scholarship may be credited to the following school year.

Please note: The award may be credited toward the family’s overall school balance.

Apply for this Scholarship

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The application form is available during the application window of November 1 through January 31. If you do not see an application form above, please check back within the application window.

 

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