2010 Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship Winner

The Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship Committee is proud to announce, Catherine Olivier, as the winner of the 2010 Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship.

Mr. Gary Duenas

Who was Mr. Dueñas?




Mr. D (as he was affectionately known by his students) was a kind, caring, committed Grade Level Coordinator at Diamond Bar High School for the Class of 1985 and the Class of 1989. He loved each and every one of his students. Mr. Duenas took the time to help any student in need. Mr. D was a role model. Mr. D was a friend.

Mr. D reached out with a kind of concern that made each student feel valued. He encouraged each person to look within themselves and find his/her own strengths, and then to work within those strengths to pursue his/her goals with everything he/she had. Mr. D saw potential in everyone. He never gave up on any student who was really trying hard to succeed.

What Mr. Duenas Meant to Me

What Mr. Dueñas’ Students Have Said About Him:

If you want to express you thoughts about Mr. Duenas, please email us and we will post your thoughts about Mr. Duenas. You may remain anonymous if you wish.

Student, Class of ‘85:

“I was not the typical visitor to Mr. D’s office. I was a good student academically. But, I lacked self-confidence, and had a terrible self-image…Mr. D recommended that I take a career assessment test and then patiently went over the results with me…Had it not been for Mr. D’s encouragement, inspiration and faith in me, who knows where I would have ended up…Mr. D believed in me when no one else did.”

Student, Class of ‘85:

“Mr. Duenas made a huge impact on me. I have always wanted to be a police officer. Mr. D and I had talked about it in his office on several occasions. I told him that I didn’t know if I had what it took to be a police officer. Mr. D encouraged me to follow my dream and do whatever it took to make the dream a reality. He also told me that whatever job I took later on, just make sure that I was happy doing what I was doing and be the best at it……….. I am happy to say that I have been a police officer for 17 years, I love what I am doing, and I may not be the best cop, but I always give 110%”

Student, Class of ‘85:

“Mr. Duenas was a clear, honest, loving voice during high school. I remember many afternoons in his office, talking over whatever “major problem” I thought I was dealing with. He always treated us with respect and love, and although I am sure it was hard, he took our issues seriously. After school, my parents were moving out of state. I was trying to decide if I was going to apply to Cal Poly. I was not sure if I could make it in college, feeling alone and scared. Mr. D took so much time with me. He made me realize how important this was to my future. I can hear him saying “it will change your life, doll”. Because of him, I went to college and had an amazing career. I met my husband through my job. I now have two children and another on the way. My eight year old has never questioned if he will go to college. He has heard me tell him how it changed my life.”

David Saw Class of 86:

I graduated from DBHS in 1986 (No, I wasn't on the five year plan), and Mr. Holmes allowed me to have Mr. Duenas as my GLC, my senior year. I got to know Mr. D as a freshman, when I met a short man with an earring and a SF Giants fan. I thought this man must be crazy, a Giants fan behind the Blue Curtain? But what was crazy was that, whenever I needed somebody to talk to, this short man, with an earring was always there. He always made the time to help me, even though he wasn't my GLC. My senior year, the day Mr. Holmes passed away, they let us out of school early and as I was going to my locker, I saw Mr. Duenas. He came up to see if I was Ok. He told me "Hey it's ok to cry." Me being the punk kid, said "I'm a man. I don't cry."

In 2004 I told Mr. D that the only man that day was him. I learned from Mr. D that being a man doesn't involve playing a sport or being able to bench press the world. It is about caring for people. It is about doing anything you can help make somebody else's day or life better. Mr. D made so many people's lives better. It may have been a kick in the butt to one person and a shoulder to lean on for another. But he had that special gift to know which way was the best way to help that person. There is no way I could ever repay Mr. D for everything he did for me.

How To Donate

August 2005. Mr. Duenas right before the Class of 1985, 20 Year Reunion.

May this find you, your family and friends in great health and prosperous living.

The Diamond Bar High School Class of 1985, have come together to honor the memory of our former Grade Level Coordinator,(GLC), Mr. Gary Duenas. We have created The Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship, to honor his memory. The Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually to a Diamond Bar High School senior.

If you have any questions please call Glen Osaki or Joanne Taylor at DBHS, 909-594-1405.

All former DBHS students can help by donating money to the scholarship. Donations are accepted at any time. Any amount is helpful and appreciated. These monies will only be handled by the school and amounts will not being disclosed.

Please send your donations to:

Gary Duenas Scholarship Fund
c/o Diamond Bar High School
21400 Pathfinder Road
Diamond Bar, CA 91765


Please make checks payable to: Diamond Bar High School
On the memo line of the check, please write: Gary Duenas Scholarship.

If there are any questions you can,Email Us or you can email any committee member by clicking onto their names below:
Denise (Butler) Vollmer
Elva Padilla
Wayne Griffin
Barbara (Bower) Jandu
Michelle (Tiffany) Nalaboff
David Saw

FAQ

FAQ

When did the scholarship start?

The Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship was started by the Diamond Bar High School, Class of 1985, in 2005 to honor the memory of their Grade Level Coordinator,(GLC), Mr. Gary Duenas. The Class of 85 felt the best way to honor Mr. Duenas' memory was to provide a scholarship to a current Diamond Bar High School student.

When is the scholarship awarded?

The scholarship is awarded annually on Awards Night at DBHS.

How can I help?

You can help in many ways. You can donate money to the scholarship. Donations are accepted at anytime. You can spread the word about the scholarship. You can be a committee memeber.

We are looking for members from the Diamond Bar High School Class of 1989 to be committee members.

How do I donate money to the scholarship?

Donations are accepted at anytime.

Please send any donations to:

Gary Duenas Scholarship Fund
c/o Diamond Bar High School
21400 Pathfinder Road
Diamond Bar, CA 91765

Please make checks payable to: Diamond Bar High School (DBHS is fine too)

On the MEMO LINE, please mention: Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Is there a deadline for donations?

No, donations are accepted at any time.

How can I find out more information about the scholarship?

Email Us

Who is handling the money donated?

Diamond Bar HS handles all the money donated. DBHS has an account for the Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship. All money donated goes into that account.

Who are the committee members and how can I contact them?

You can email any committee member by clicking onto their names below:

Denise (Butler) Vollmer
Elva Padilla
Wayne Griffin
Barbara (Bower) Jandu
Michelle (Tiffany) Nalaboff
David Saw

2009 Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship Winner

2009 Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship Winner, Kristen Soobin Ahn with her family and Wayne Griffin and Michelle Nalaboff.


2009 Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship Winner, Kristen Soobin Ahn with her family.


2009 Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship Plaque, donated by Elva Padilla.


Wayne Griffin and Michelle Nalaboff.

Kristen Soobin Ahn is the 2009 Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship Winner.

Kristen will attend UC Irvine in the fall of 2009.

The following is Kristen's essay:


What was the biggest challenge you overcame during your four years in High School?

When I was young, my parents passionately told me that “nothing is impossible” with passion. My parents wanted me to do anything I desire and to determine my own future. With that in mind, I saw art as my one, clear path. Taking art school for five years, I had no doubt that one day I could be a great painter. I believed that when I became an artist, I would paint beautiful portraits of people and landscapes.

However, due to a neuromuscular disease I have had since I was born, around ten years old, I could feel that I was gradually losing feelings in my hands and legs. It was at this time that I truly realized the impact this disease would have on my life. Darkness seemed to surround me as I saw myself being unable to do even simple things like walk or pick something up.

That day came soon enough when I was forced to begin using a wheelchair at age eleven. I also had to learn to use my left hand because of the severe degeneration in my right one. To make matters worse, I could not draw well with my left hand. That effectively meant that my plans for painting were over. Thus, I felt like my future was fading away. If I could have painted a picture of how I felt at the time, I would have painted a fragile, lonely girl by herself in dark colors, full of pain and sadness. Countless times, I asked myself, “Why do I have to suffer so much?”

But life went on and when I saw my friends starting to run toward their dreams in high school, I realized that I must surmount my physical handicap to accomplish my dreams as well. With a new attitude, I started adjusting to everything with my left hand. Though it also has minor neuromuscular disease, I have learned to appreciate what I have, and I am grateful that I can still use my left hand to write, eat, and open doors. Although I have to look up to see others in my wheelchair, I know that I can do everything that they can. The only difference is that I am sitting down while others are standing up. Before, I used to fear people staring at me. Now, I smile at others first because I am confident in whom I am. While my friends accomplish things by competing with others, I accomplish things by competing with myself. I have overcome my fear of the world and found myself as I came to love myself. I am not physically strong, but my heart and spirit are.

Overcoming my physical handicap has made me the person I am today. As a child, I remember being inconsiderate about others. Now, because of my physical handicap, I can truly empathize with others and easily put their needs ahead of mine. I say that surmounting my physical difference is my challenge but also an “experience” and “accomplishment” because it has been an experience learning to live without feeling like a caged bird. This “experience” taught me to be a mature, nonjudgmental, and open-minded person.

There is a huge painting that I drew when I was nine years old in my family’s dining room. Looking at it, my mom once told me that I draw everything honestly and with a pure heart because I do not judge anyone based on appearances. Now, I smile at that old painting and tell myself that while my past was beautiful, I am going to make my future even better by accomplishing everything I want to with my endless passion. Today, if I could paint, I would draw myself in bright colors, representing my hope for the future, in the middle of a crowd, the center of happiness.

2009 Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship Application

2009 Gary Dueñas Memorial Scholarship


We are now accepting applications for the 2009 Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship. Scroll down this page for more information and the online application. Application deadline is Friday, March 13, 2009.

Thank you and good luck.

Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship Committee.

Who was Mr. Dueñas?

Mr. D (as he was affectionately known by his students) was a kind, caring, committed Grade Level Counselor at Diamond Bar High School for the Class of 1985 and the Class of 1989.

Mr. D reached out with a kind of concern that made each student feel valued. He encouraged each person to look within and find his/her own strengths, and then to work within those strengths to pursue his/her goals with everything. Mr. D saw potential in everyone. He never gave up on any student who was really trying hard to succeed.

Here’s What Some of Mr. Dueñas’ Students Have Said About Him:
“I was not the typical visitor to Mr. D’s office. I was a good student academically. But, I lacked self-confidence, and had a terrible self-image…Mr. D recommended that I take a career assessment test and then patiently went over the results with me…Had it not been for Mr. D’s encouragement, inspiration and faith in me, who knows where I would have ended up…Mr. D believed in me when no one else did.” ~Student, Class of ‘85


“Mr. Duenas made a huge impact on me. I have always wanted to be a police officer. Mr. D and I had talked about it in his office on several occasions. I told him that I didn’t know if I had what it took to be a police officer. Mr. D encouraged me to follow my dream and do whatever it took to make the dream a reality. He also told me that whatever job I took later on, just make sure that I was happy doing what I was doing and be the best at it……….. I am happy to say that I have been a police officer for 17 years, I love what I am doing, and I may not be the best cop, but I always give 110%” ~Student, Class of ‘85


“Mr. Duenas was a clear, honest, loving voice during high school. I remember many afternoons in his office, talking over whatever “major problem” I thought I was dealing with. He always treated us with respect and love, and although I am sure it was hard, he took our issues seriously. After school, my parents were moving out of state. I was trying to decide if I was going to apply to Cal Poly. I was not sure if I could make it in college, feeling alone and scared. Mr. D took so much time with me. He made me realize how important this was to my future. I can hear him saying “it will change your life, doll”. Because of him, I went to college and had an amazing career. I met my husband through my job. I now have two children and another on the way. My eight year old has never questioned if he will go to college. He has heard me tell him how it changed my life.” ~Student, Class of “85

2009 Gary Dueñas Memorial Scholarship

2009 is the fourth year that the DBHS Class of 85 has awarded the Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship.

The first Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship was awarded in 2006 toJoe Falcon. Subsequent scholarship recipients are 2007: Megan Wong, and 2008: Micheal Dee.

Scholarship Amount:

The Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to one DBHS senior in the amount of $1,000.

Eligibility:

Diamond Bar High School Seniors who will attend any college, (junior college, Cal State or UC), trade or vocational school.


Application Procedure:

To apply for the Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship Please:

Email your completed application by March 13, 2009 to mrdscholarship@yahoo.com


A completed application should include:

Required Information.

A one page essay, answering one of the two questions.

A letter of reference from a non family member who knows you well. GLC, Employer, Teacher etc.

All applications must be emailed to the committee at: mrdscholarship@yahoo.com by March 13, 2009.


2009 Gary Dueñas Memorial Scholarship Applcation



Required Information:

Name
Address
City, State and Zip Code.
Phone Number or Cell Number
Email Address
Name of Your GLC

To which trade schools, junior colleges, or universities have you applied?

Which subject are you looking forward to learning about the most?

How do you spend your time after school and on weekends? (i.e.: work, sports, family commitments, community service; other extracurricular activities)

What school activities are you involved in?

What are your hobbies?

Where do you see yourself in ten years?


Essay question: Please answer ONE of the following questions.

1) How has someone inspired you to be a better person?

2) What was the biggest challenge you overcame during your four years in High School?

Character Reference:

Please have a teacher, employer or mentor write a one-page letter describing you. As an example, your helpfulness towards others, positive attitude, work ethic and/or any other qualities that would make you a good candidate for this scholarship.


Please email your application, essays and reference letters to mrdscholarship@yahoo.com.

2008 Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship Winner

Micheal Dee is the 2008 Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship Winner.

Micheal will be attending UC San Diego in the fall.

The following is Micheal Dee's essay:


1) How has someone inspired you to be a better person?


I felt like I was on top of the world! I was eleven years old and I had just finished shooting my first paid commercial. I was flowing with excitement the whole time, but what made it even more special was that my father had accompanied me there, so he was able to share this seminal moment with me. Though I gained a great deal of experience in acting, auditioning, and performing during this exciting journey, I learned the most about the honorable and humble man who stood by me the entire time - my father.
From the very beginning, my dad was there to support me. Even though I had given up on many of my hobbies in the past, my dad always encouraged me to keep trying out new ones until I found one I truly loved. One day, I announced to my dad that I’d like to try acting. From the start, I’m sure he was reluctant to sign me up for classes since I had given up on all of my other “hobbies.” However, as doubtful as he was that I would persist with my new goal, he still signed me up. I’m glad he was so open-minded because acting became my forte. Slowly, my acting went from being a casual hobby to a passion, and finally, to a career, when I signed with a talent agency.
My agent would often call my father at work about an audition and he’d rush to pick me up at school and take me straight to the audition. Since my dad worked in downtown Los Angeles, he'd more often than not have to take off work early, drive back home for an hour, and then drive me out to the audition. Unfortunately, as an eleven year-old, these logistics didn’t really concern me. I was entirely oblivious to the sacrifices my dad was making for me. After a year or so, it became impossible to ignore the strain that acting had on my dad. One day, on one of our long two-hour drives back home, I mustered up the courage to finally ask him a simple question. “Why do you give up so much of your time and effort for my acting, Dad?” I’ll never forget the response that my dad gave. He said, “When you commit to something, you have to be willing to make sacrifices to see it through.” I thought about what he said and try as I might I could not get his words out of my mind.
After deep reflection for some time, I decided that I was willing to unconditionally commit to something and I would sacrifice to see it through. But the commitment I decided on wasn't about my acting; it was a commitment to my dad. I wanted to be a more considerate and understanding son. In one of the most difficult decisions of my life at the time, I called my agent and told her I was quitting.
Years later, as I took a bow during a production of the Wizard of Oz at my high school, I saw my dad sitting in the crowd. With his adoring eyes and simple smile, he had his usual look of warmth, gratitude and love on his face. I knew he was proud of me. At that moment, I realized that his love and sacrifice was far more real and important to me than any performance or audition. Through my misty eyes I knew right then that I was truly on top of the world.



2) What was the biggest challenge you overcame during your four years in High School?


My entire life I have been told that a sense of integrity and hard work can get you anywhere. That being a better person in the world meant far more than the amount of money I earned, the degree I received, and the amount of power I accumulated. To this day I still strongly believe in this notion.
For the past four years of my high school career, I have believed that service to others- friends, family, community, nation, and globe- was what defined who I was. My challenge cannot be defined as any singular event, rather it is the culmination of a lengthy struggle that led to my decision that service to others was more defining than any grade or achievement. My belief in this notion is the reason why I chose to help a suicidal friend in need when my sophomore year math grade was on the line, it is the reason why I chose to be there for my family when there was conflict in my household before my AP Calculus AB exam, it is the reason why I said no to cheating in many of my rigorous AP courses and instead took the lower grade, and it is the reason I founded a community service organization with friends who cared, rather than friends who wanted points and hours.
I was raised to believe that the difficult times I encountered in life is what made me who I was and not the easy ones. I am no privileged soul, and no unfortunate soul. I am a middle-class teenager who has had his share of victories and defeats, depression and happiness, and failure and persistence. But I learned in high school that you didn’t have to do unique things to shine, you just had to make an effort to make a difference. There were always the cynics in my life that believed in a pessimistic pragmatism, they believed that I was too naïve to understand the fruitlessness of trying to make a difference in the world, they believed that I was too young to say that I wanted to dedicate my life to the service of those less fortunate, and they believed that I was too immature to stay focused on this goal. My greatest challenge in these past four years was overcoming those thoughts.

A Letter from Mrs. Duenas to the Class of 1989

A Letter to the Diamond Bar High School Class of 1989


I would like to take you back for a few minutes, to when you were still in high school.

Do you remember a height challenged, slightly hair challenged, little dynamo affectionately called Mr. “D” by all of “his kids?” If you were a student that he interacted with, he considered you one of “his kids”.

He was the one that would leave home at six o’clock in the morning, because someone needed a ride to school or came home late because he stayed at school for a conference with a late working parent.

He never thought twice about lending money for lunches or year books. He always gave his year book to someone that couldn’t afford to buy one.

Remember the times you went to his office and cried, over a boy, or a girl, your parents, your grades, your teacher or the times you just wanted to vent? Remember the Mr. “D” that you knew you could trust with your secrets, about your home life, your insecurities, your hurts, your dreams and your crushes because you knew he wouldn’t laugh at you. He teased you, he pushed you, he encouraged you, he hollered at you, but he never betrayed those confidences and he never, never judged you. In other words his was a truly unconditional love. That love was a 24/7 love. It didn’t stop when he left school. His concerns for your grades and/or problems came home with him. He always encouraged everyone to call him at home if needed, parents and students alike. To receive a call at 10:00 p.m. was not unusual.

In a speech Mr. “D” gave to one of his graduating classes he quoted a philosopher as saying, “To love someone is to see the face of God”. Then he added, “In the last four years I have seen the face of God, many, many times.”

I am asking you to remember these things, because I am putting out a plea for help to keep Mr. D’s scholarship going for at least a couple more years. A $10.00 donation, 2 Starbucks cups of coffee, would be such a help. It doesn’t seem like much, but it adds up and every little bit helps.

Mr. D won’t know one way or the other, but it gives you the chance to, “pay it forward,” and help to contribute to the legacy of loving one another that he so generously practiced.

Mr.D's Class of 1985 started the Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship, in 2006 at DBHS. They have awarded a scholarship in 2006 and 2007 and they will award another scholarship this June.

I know Mr.D would love to see both of his classes at DBHS work together on the scholarship.

If you would like to donate or help out with the Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship, please go to:
http://www.mrdscholarship.com/

or email the committe at mrdscholarship@yahoo.com

Thank you,
Mrs. June Duenas