Our 2002 Sharon Heater Memorial Scholarship Winner

Our 2008 Sharon Heater Memorial Scholarship Winner!
In 2008, we awarded a $500 scholarship to John Van Houten.

Here's a message from Mary Roberts, STC's marvelous scholarship coordinator:
May 31, 2007: "It's once again my privilege to have been a part of the STC scholarship committee. Based on the 11 applications that Barb, Patrick, and I reviewed, we chose John Van Houten from Laguna Creek High School in Elk Grove as the recipient of this year's scholarship. His application was also forwarded to the TCI scholarship committee for consideration.

On the evening of Wednesday, June 21, Gary and I had the privilege of participating in Laguna Creek's senior awards program by presenting our scholarship winner with his award ($500). When John's parents Bruce and Dianne Van Houten introduced themselves, his mother mentioned that her cousin, Joe Durenberger, is a tall club member in Southern California. Here's some information about our winner. I've also attached a couple of pictures taken at the event.

John Van Houten, at 6'6", wants to attend UC Santa Cruz, Davis, or Sacramento to begin studying for a career in sports medicine or pharmacy. During his high school years, he was very active in Boy Scouts, basketball, football, and community service."

John Van Houten (6'6")

Read his winning essay:

John Van Houten - 6'6"

Graduated Laguna Creek High School in Elk Grove

Plans to attend either UC Santa Cruz, Davis, or Sacramento

What Being Tall Means to Me

I was placed in a foster home at only a few days old. My birthmother was unable to care for me and my birthfather was unknown. A few years later I was adopted. My adoptive parents are great but our physical characteristics began showing early on. Mom is 5'4" and Dad is 5'10". They are fair and blonde; I have a dark complexion with black hair and brown eyes and tower over them. I used to be very self-conscious of our physical differences. In kindergarten I was taller than my petite teacher and by sixth grade I was the tallest one on campus - including the faculty. I ended up having to go to the chiropractor frequently because I slumped over all the time. Perhaps it was poor posture or a subconscious desire to make myself shorter.

We have quite an unusual family. My 5'4" sister is 16 years older than me and is like another mother to me. My 5'11" brother is 8 years older than me. He can call me his younger brother but not his little brother. We also have two mentally and physically disabled children, - one Hispanic and one African-American - that have lived with us for the past 10 years. We consider them permanent family members too.

My parents taught me that family goes beyond physical appearances. It's about love and respect for one another. The greatest gifts I've received from them are self-esteem, self-confidence, and integrity. I consider myself very lucky to have a family that has taught me to do my best and have supported my efforts to succeed. Now - at 6'6" - I stand tall and proud and try to be the kind of person that other can look up to - in more ways than one.

Congratulations to our amazing young winner!

If you have any comments regarding this web site, please contact Sacramento Tall Club's webmistress, Cindy R., at webmistress@sacramentotallclub.org.

Sacramento Tall Club: P.O. Box 515, Rancho Cordova, CA 95741
HOTLINE NUMBER for more info. = (916) 498-8877
STC web site: www.SacramentoTall Club.org	STC's e-mail: info@sacramentotallclub.org