The Elsie Allen High School Foundation, by Omar Medina
Omar Medina was our guest speaker for Thursday, April 27, 2026. Omar is the Program Manager of the Elsie Allen High School Foundation (EAHS) and a Santa Rosa City Schools Board Member. He graduated in the very first Elsie Allen graduating class and served as Elsie Allen ASB President. Omar is a long-term advocate for the Elsie Allen and wider Roseland community. He attended SRJC and Sonoma State University.
The EAHS Foundation was incorporated in 2013 to raise funds for scholarship opportunities for graduating Elsie students. The Foundation now has a significant endowment which will provide $120,000 annually for scholarships for many years. However, the Foundation also funds and supports several additional educational programs, including the Service Above Self Scholarship for community service participants, the NextGen Trades Academy, and a Certified Nursing Assistant (CAN) program with 30 students graduating on May 16th. He noted that the future of NextGen Trades Academy is uncertain and depends on funding decisions. Omar also discussed the Magnolia Project, which provides career exploration opportunities to 27 students through employer placements and healthcare-related experience, with plans to expand to 120 students next year. Omar mentioned that Foundation teacher grants funded an AVID field trip to San Francisco State University, a dance program performance at U.C. Berkeley, and classroom supplies, and noted ongoing efforts to explore college credit opportunities for volunteer service through SRJC's work experience program.
Omar also discussed upcoming changes at Elsie Allen High School, which will convert to a grade 7-12 school next year, creating a greater need for support. He highlighted the challenges facing the district due to financial constraints and resource limitations, emphasizing the importance of philanthropy and community support to help bridge the gap. He also mentioned his work with Health Equity Rising to support the healthcare pathway at Elsie Allen and expressed gratitude for the foundation's support, particularly acknowledging the contributions of club members Merle Hayes and Willie Billeter, and Elsie teacher Mr. Molloy.
Sunrise member Stacey Drucker-Andress explained that the initial Foundation organizing meetings were often held in her kitchen when her late husband, Ross Andress, was the club’s Elsie Allen H.S. coordinator. Ross was one of the original Foundation Directors!
Thank you so much, Omar, for the wonderful presentation of the Foundation’s efforts and for all the work you do for the Foundation, the school, and the community!
