May 25, 2023 – MCHS Academic Boosters Club board chair Jill Harry (right) presented long time board member Tara Schiff (left) with a plaque recognizing her many years of service. The plaque reads, "In appreciation for your years of service as a board member and your devotion to the students of Mariposa County High School."
Schiff has been a member of ABC since its inception in 2011. She stuck with the club even during the time after her two older children graduated and her youngest was still in elementary school. Schiff will be stepping down from the board at the end of this school year with the graduation of her youngest son, Noah.
"Tara has been a tremendously valuable board member and we appreciate her sticking with the club all these years," said Harry.
For many of her years on the board, Schiff served as the monthly Career Lunch coordinator, organizing speakers to come talk to students about their career paths and answer their questions. This school year, Schiff coordinated a new program called On the Right Track, reminiscent of the program Nitty Gritty City many MCHS graduates may remember from years ago. On the Right Track is like a giant game of Life where students are presented with real life situations and invited to visit the booths of companies and organizations that can walk them through resolutions.
"On the Right Track was very successful," said Harry. "We had great feedback from students, MCHS staff, and all the partnering businesses and organizations who joined us that day. Students learned a lot. Tara set up the structure that will allow ABC to continue it annually or biannually as MCHS wishes."
"Of the nine boards I have served on," said Schiff, "ABC has been the most productive nonprofit, bar none. For the 12 years I have been a board member, we have made great accomplishments, from replacing the tile ceilings in the Fiester Auditorium, to sending classes on educational field trips, and bringing Career Lunches to students, so they can get a glimpse of what careers they may want to pursue in the future. ABC has made an impact on this community and I am honored to have been a part of this great organization for more than a decade.”
In addition to Schiff stepping down at the end of the school year, ABC board chair Jill Harry is also not returning. She has been on the board for the past seven years and for the past six has acted as both the board chair and secretary.
"It's been a wonderful experience," said Harry, "but with my youngest graduating in June, it is time for me to move on."
Starting July 1, Katie Pike will be ABC's board chair. Erica Marlin will be the Secretary. Leigh Westerlund continues as Treasurer. Gabe Edwards and Jill Faulkner will also be joining the board.
"With Ruth Smiley's daughter graduating and Lordelyn del Rosario busy with other endeavors, we have a lot of board changes next school year," said Harry. "I am grateful for Ruth and Lyn's service. It's a very strong team coming in and all the board members stepping down will be around to help and to answer questions. ABC will remain strong."
MCHS Academic Boosters Club, Inc. (ABC) is a 501(c)3 organization with the mission of supplementing and enriching academic experiences and providing educational tools for Mariposa County High School students.
For more information, visit mchsabc.org, contact abc.mchs@gmail.com, “like” ABC on Facebook: MCHS Academic Boosters Club, or follow MCHS_ABC on Instagram or Twitter.
Source & photo: MCHS Academic Boosters Club
