meet the board
Heather Safken
presidentAmie Martinez
|
sarah denison
vice presidentTanja Ramming
Treasurer |
abbey smith
secretary |
A Letter from the SVEdF President | 2024
Dear Friends and Fans,
We are all mourning the March 2024 loss of 15 year old Frank Estill, beloved son of Lani Estill, a founding
member of SVEdF. One of the things that makes Surprise Valley such a magical place is the deep
connections between our people. Frank was a fixture of SVJUSD and the whole Surprise Valley community.
Just like the Warner Mountain Range, the alkaline lakes, and the cattle fields, Frank was ingrained in the
environment. His smile made you feel seen and his spark ignited meaningful conversation. He was a role
model for the elementary students, a lively friend to his peers, and a beautiful example of a happy healthy
kid raised in our rural place. Our little valley feels different without him.
In honor of Frank Estill, we will be offering a special scholarship for Surprise Valley grads focused on
Entrepreneurial and Trade School studies, reflecting Frank's passion and dedication. We hope this
scholarship will serve as a lasting tribute to Frank and his family, honoring his memory while providing future
students with the opportunity to pursue their dreams in fields that held special significance to him.
As we reflect on the accomplishments of the past year, I am filled with gratitude for the unwavering support
we have received from our community. Your generosity and commitment have enabled us to make significant
strides in fulfilling our mission to enrich opportunities for the students of Surprise Valley. From activities
supporting indigenous culture, music and video production, and downhill skiing, the enrichment opportunities
this year were largely place-based, providing children with experiences connected to our land, our cultures,
and our history. Fostering a love of place, we hope that children take pride in this valley and develop a desire
to stay connected throughout their lives.
In 2023, we dedicated much of our efforts to strategic planning and evaluating our priorities. With a keen
eye on the future, we have prioritized funding for initiatives centered around College and Career Readiness,
Arts and Culture, and Nutrition and Physical Activity. Furthermore, we have been actively forging external
partnerships and seeking larger funding opportunities to support our long-term strategies. One of which is
our goal to reach $100,000 in investments by the end of 2024!
Our dedication to the children and youth of Surprise Valley is only possible with your continued support, and
for that, we are deeply grateful.
Genuinely,
Heather Safken and Tanja Ramming
President and Treasurer of Surprise Valley Education Foundation
We are all mourning the March 2024 loss of 15 year old Frank Estill, beloved son of Lani Estill, a founding
member of SVEdF. One of the things that makes Surprise Valley such a magical place is the deep
connections between our people. Frank was a fixture of SVJUSD and the whole Surprise Valley community.
Just like the Warner Mountain Range, the alkaline lakes, and the cattle fields, Frank was ingrained in the
environment. His smile made you feel seen and his spark ignited meaningful conversation. He was a role
model for the elementary students, a lively friend to his peers, and a beautiful example of a happy healthy
kid raised in our rural place. Our little valley feels different without him.
In honor of Frank Estill, we will be offering a special scholarship for Surprise Valley grads focused on
Entrepreneurial and Trade School studies, reflecting Frank's passion and dedication. We hope this
scholarship will serve as a lasting tribute to Frank and his family, honoring his memory while providing future
students with the opportunity to pursue their dreams in fields that held special significance to him.
As we reflect on the accomplishments of the past year, I am filled with gratitude for the unwavering support
we have received from our community. Your generosity and commitment have enabled us to make significant
strides in fulfilling our mission to enrich opportunities for the students of Surprise Valley. From activities
supporting indigenous culture, music and video production, and downhill skiing, the enrichment opportunities
this year were largely place-based, providing children with experiences connected to our land, our cultures,
and our history. Fostering a love of place, we hope that children take pride in this valley and develop a desire
to stay connected throughout their lives.
In 2023, we dedicated much of our efforts to strategic planning and evaluating our priorities. With a keen
eye on the future, we have prioritized funding for initiatives centered around College and Career Readiness,
Arts and Culture, and Nutrition and Physical Activity. Furthermore, we have been actively forging external
partnerships and seeking larger funding opportunities to support our long-term strategies. One of which is
our goal to reach $100,000 in investments by the end of 2024!
Our dedication to the children and youth of Surprise Valley is only possible with your continued support, and
for that, we are deeply grateful.
Genuinely,
Heather Safken and Tanja Ramming
President and Treasurer of Surprise Valley Education Foundation
