I’m starting off the week with a wonderful request from the non-profit organization, Simon Youth Foundation, whose largest corporate partner is the Simon Property Group (one of whose properties is the Fashion Valley Mall). Please see the press release below. If you know someone who would benefit from such a wonderful scholarship, encourage them to apply!
Simon Youth Foundation seeks applicants for $1 million in scholarships
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (January 3, 2014) – For a fourteenth straight year, Simon Youth Foundation, a national nonprofit that provides educational opportunities for at-risk high school students, will award a college scholarship to one student from every community that is home to a Simon property.
Simon Youth Foundation Community Scholarships are awarded through the Simon Youth Scholarships program and in partnership with local Simon properties. The application period is open now until Saturday, January 11, 2014.
Locally, students can pick up a copy of a scholarship application at the Simon Guest Services Center at Fashion Valley. Applications also can be downloaded at the SYF website at: www.syf.org/our-initiatives/scholarships/community-application.
Any student who will be graduating in the class of 2014 and lives within 50 miles of a Simon property is eligible. The program will award a one-time scholarship of up to $1,500 to students who plan to enroll in an accredited college, university, vocational or technical school.
In 2013, the Simon Youth Scholarships program awarded $1.1 million to 389 students nationwide.
“Our mission is to ignite hope for a brighter future in students, and our Foundation is proud to partner with Fashion Valley to award scholarships that will remove some of the financial obstacles that would otherwise prevent a student from achieving the dream of a college education,” says J. Michael Durnil, Ph.D., the President and CEO of SYF.
The 2014 SYF Community Scholarship recipients will be selected by Scholarship Management Services, a third-party administrator. Students are selected based on a variety of criteria, including financial need, academic performance, leadership skills and participation in school and community activities. Those students who are the first in their family to pursue a post secondary education will also be given close consideration.
The completed application, along with official school transcripts and parents’ most recently filed tax form, must be sent to Scholarship Management Services by January 11, 2014.
About SYF
Simon Youth Foundation, established in 1998, supports 23 Simon Youth Academies in 13 U.S. states that give at-risk students the same education they would receive in a traditional classroom while offering the flexibility that their individual circumstances require. Recipient of the Crystal Star Award of Excellence in Dropout Prevention from the National Dropout Prevention Center, the foundation has helped more than 10,000 students earn their high school diploma and provided more than $10 million in college scholarships to 3,900 students in 42 states. The Education Commission of the United States has recognized the foundation with its Corporate Award for sustained and substantial investment in improving public education.
About Fashion Valley
Fashion Valley is San Diego’s finest collection of more than 200 stores and restaurants in a beautiful outdoor setting. Anchored by Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s and jcpenney, Fashion Valley offers over 1.7 million square feet of retail space, making it the largest shopping mall in San Diego and one of the largest in California. Global brands call Fashion Valley their San Diego home, including Burberry, CH Carolina Herrera, Gucci, Hermes, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, Prada and Ted Baker London, among others. With dining options like California Pizza Kitchen, The Cheesecake Factory, Love Boat Sushi, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, True Food Kitchen and more, combined with an 18-screen AMC movie theater on property, Fashion Valley is truly a premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination. For more information, please visit http://www.simon.com/mall/fashion-valley or call 619-688-9113.
I was invited last month to preview the new John Varvatos store at Fashion Valley prior to their public grand opening. I became familiar with the brand because it’s one of Matt Goss’ favorite stores in The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas (though this blog post), and the management at John Varvatos love him as well (they spoke very highly of him when I was asked about how I knew about their brand).
I noticed immediately the edgy, rock infused style. The store is rugged and music permeates everything, from the pictures on the walls to the clothing displayed on the tables. The light fixture upon entering is impressive, and I like the hidden cash registers. It has a different effect on the whole store, allowing every bit of space for the clothing and shoes. I know the store is menswear, but that didn’t stop me from buying something from the John Varvatos USA line, which was the Bowery Graphic T-Shirt. It’s way soft and has a very cool and simple design. I also purchased a book by John Varvatos called Rock in Fashion, which is what this store embodies. Congratulations to John, his crew and Fashion Valley on this fantastic new location!
If shoes could grow on trees…
Who doesn’t love a wall of shoes?
Great decor throughout!
The “Bowery Graphic T-Shirt” I purchased is located under the “New York” white shirt above.
I want that Tiger hoodie next!
Guests of the preview enjoying the new space!
Doesn’t this book look right at home with all of our records?
