Willows
Alumni Association Scholarships
Jerry Vader-Ponciano Scholarship
The Willows Alumni Association has approved to award to a
graduating senior at Willows High School a scholarship in
the amount of $1000.00. The money will be awarded upon
proof of enrollment at any accredited two or four-year
college or university in the United States. Jerry was the
founding Executive Secretary of the WAA and was
instrumental in establishing our organization. Jerry was a
band member and choir member in high school and played the
piano for small bands for many years. Jerry graduated in
1952.
Students applying for this scholarship must have a 2.5
grade point average or above in academics, must have
completed a minimum of three years in band, choir and or
drama and been active in high school and community
activities. Two letters of recommendation from a faculty
member and/or from a community organization will be
required. Each student applicant’s portfolio must be
provided for review.
A panel consisting of two members of the Alumni Association
will determine the recipient of this scholarship.
Application to be used will be the Glenn County Scholarship
Foundation Application used by the Counseling Office for
other scholarships. Applications are to be turned in to the
high school by the end of April each year or date
designated in the annual notification letter sent to all
students.
Frances King
Scholarship
We have
established a scholarship in Frances’ name for a graduating
senior at University of California Chico who will enter
their fifth year of school to attain a teaching credential.
Students apply through the university and are selected by a
panel from the University and one member of the Willows
Alumni Board. The amount will be $2000.00 or $1000.00 per
semester paid each semester after proof of enrollment.
Miss Frances King was born in Willows, California on May
26, 1911 to Charles and Nelli King and passed away on
January 20, 2004 in Willows at the age of 93.Frances
attended Willows schools and graduated from Glenn County
High School (now Willows High School). Frances attended
Chico State Normal (Now California State University Chico)
where she obtained her degree and credentials in 1932. Her
first teaching job was in the Marion School District in Red
Bluff, California. She taught all grades for two years.
Frances began teaching at Kanawha School, west of Willows
in 1934 and then transferred to Willows Sycamore Elementary
in 1938 where she taught sixth grade for ten years.
In 1947 Frances became the owner/operator of the Land Title
Company and after eleven years she sold her business and
returned to the classroom at Willows High School. Frances
taught business and economics classes until her retirement
in 1966. Frances was a California Retired Teacher’s
Association member and in 1966 received a lifetime P.T.A.
membership. Frances was inducted into the Glenn County
Educator’s Hall of Fame in 1982. In 1990 she was inducted
into the Chico State Athletic Hall of Fame. Frances was
selected in 1994 as the Grand Marshall of the Willows Lamb
Derby Parade.
She was a charter member of the Willows High School Alumni
Association and a life-long member of the Willows Christian
Church. Frances was an energetic, generous and gracious
lady who influenced many of Willows’ young people.
