While the long-term impact of Covid-19 on access, inclusion and equity in education is unknown, one thing is certain: the pandemic is affecting current high school students’ decisions about higher education.
“The Covid health crisis is causing many young people to change and adapt their plans,” said Dr. Rosanna Mucetti, Superintendent of the Napa Valley Unified School District. “We are working diligently to provide creative solutions for students as we move forward through these uncertain and challenging times, but we also want to maintain and grow programs for students that choose to continue their education at two-year and four-year colleges and universities.”
A $100,000 contribution from the Cameron Champ Foundation and Chevron will provide STEM scholarships to 20 graduating seniors from the Napa Valley Unified School District. The learning pathways associated with STEM may include: STEM degree programs at four-year universities; two-year degrees in computer science, engineering technology, or other STEM-related fields; or one-year or multi-year certifications and apprenticeships in skilled trades related to STEM. The scholarship program is designed to help as many students as possible, including those who are not planning to pursue a four-year degree.
The program, now in its second year through the Napa Valley Education Foundation, has already proven successful. Amber Elias, a class of 2020 NVUSD graduate and scholarship recipient, said: “This scholarship means the world to me and it opens so many doors for the future. I have been given the opportunity to attend college, pursue my education, and do this without such a financial burden. I am passionate about college and my future in STEM; this scholarship will help me reach this dream.”
Cameron Champ, winner of the 2019 Safeway Open, was not able to play in this year’s tournament, but he wanted to show his support for the students of Napa Valley.
“The Cameron Champ Foundation was established with the mission of inspiring the next generation of kids to a brighter future by creating more opportunities for them to succeed, both on the golf course and in the classroom,” he said. “Although I’m disappointed not to be able to defend my title at the Safeway Open this year, due to broader schedule changes brought on by the pandemic, it remains important to me to find a way to give back to the community that cheered me on to victory last year and warmly welcomes the PGA TOUR every year.
“The Cameron Champ Foundation is extremely proud to partner with Chevron to support the needs of students in Napa Valley. Although the Safeway Open is only one week out of the year, we hope our support delivers lasting relief to families in this community and empowers their children throughout the school year.”
Dr. Mucetti said the district and the foundation shared the objective of helping students in need.
“From our first conversation, it was clear we shared a common goal — improving access, opportunity and inclusion for historically underserved groups of students,” she said. “I’m not a golfer, but I understand the impact the sport can have when there is a mission and purpose beyond just enjoying a game on the course. On behalf of the NVUSD, our Education Foundation, and Napa Valley students and their families, we thank Chevron, Cameron, and the Cameron Champ Foundation for putting us on the top of their list.”
In just his second full season on the PGA Tour, Cameron Champ was one of only 30 players to reach the Tour Championship. In the process, he has also been able to use his platform to take a stand on issues of racial injustice.
During the BMW Championship and Tour Championship, Cameron wore one white shoe and one black shoe adorned with “Breonna Taylor,” “Jacob Blake,” “Black Lives Matter” and “Papa Champ,” the latter being a tribute to his late grandfather, Mack Champ, a victim of racial discrimination himself.
“Until equality in our country means everyone is treated with the same level of dignity and respect, and afforded the same level of opportunity, freedom and justice in all things as human beings, we will never be able to truly live up to our ideals, or reach our full potential as a nation,” Cameron said in a post on social media. “I join my fellow athletes in continuing to use my voice for positive change that will move our country forward as one.”
Cameron also spoke with reporters at the BMW Championship about his position and the reasons he feels so passionately about the issue. You can watch the video on Facebook.
The Cameron Champ Foundation Golf Classic will be held on Monday, Oct. 5, at the Silverado Resort & Spa in Napa, California.
Our players, sponsors and their invited guests will be treated to a fun-filled day that will conclude with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. (The 2020 post-golf events will likely have to be modified due to health and safety guidelines in Napa County. We are in constant communication with the resort and will do our best to finish the day on a high note, while ensuring we create a safe environment for everyone.)
We welcome the opportunity to work with you in tailoring a package that best suits your company’s needs and brand image.
Seeing Cameron on the cover of the July/August 2020 issue of Golf Magazine with the headline “Rocket Man” was exciting, and his tips for increasing swing speed were spot on, but we were far more inspired by this headline: “Here’s why there’s no separating Cameron Champ the golfer and the giver.”
Cameron talks in great detail about his relationship with his grandfather Mack, his dedication to our Foundation, the Champ family’s involvement with Foothill Golf Course, the Mack Champ Invitational, and much more.
“Our main focus is mentorship and schooling,” he said of our Foundation. “We give them somewhere to go to have fun with other kids, to get help with homework and to play. Golf and other sports are part of it, but not all of it.”
On April 17, Cameron joined the PGA Tour’s Teryn Gregson for a look back at his emotional win at the 2019 Safeway Open.
We are very sorry to announce the postponement of the Mack Champ Invitational, but the health and safety of our junior golfers and their families, as well as that of the broader community, is the most important thing on our minds.
Our mission to level the playing field in golf remains the same, and we are actively monitoring the situation and looking for a time to reschedule the tournament.
More information on the tournament is available at mackchampinvitational.com.
The new Grandpa Mack polo from Nike Golf represents a silhouette of the first known picture of Cameron Champ’s late grandfather playing golf, and it serves as a tribute to his life journey, quest for equality, passion for golf and the way he gave of himself to others.
Cameron is wearing this polo to honor #PapaChamp at the Genesis Invitational, and you can get one too on Nike.com. In celebration of Black History Month, 100% of the contributions will go to the Cameron Champ Foundation and our work to inspire the next generation of athletes, just like Grandpa Mack did for Cameron.
Check out the video below to learn more about the inspiration behind the shirt.
The Cameron Champ Foundation is proud to host the Mack Champ Invitational, a new two-day tournament for the game’s best junior golfers from diverse backgrounds.
Named in honor of Mack Champ, Cameron’s grandfather who passed away in October of 2019, the tournament will focus on identifying talented diverse players as a way to honor Mack’s legacy.
The 36-hole event, for boys and girls ages 9-18, will be played at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston from March 20-22, 2020.
Learn more and register to play or volunteer at mackchampinvitational.com.
The Cameron Champ Foundation helped bring some holiday cheer to local families in need this season.
On Saturday, Dec. 7, our Foundation teamed up with Bennett’s Kitchen – Bar – Market, Weave, and the Anrak Corporation to host a holiday party and gift drive. Guests brought gift cards and unwrapped presents, and Bennett’s provided an appetizer buffet, beer and wine.
We owe a huge thanks to our partners in this event and to all of our generous supporters and friends who came out for the party.
You must be logged in to post a comment.