John 15:1-11
Vista Preparatory Academy
Vista Preparatory Academy Junior High is located in Red Bluff California.
It is a low income, academically challenged school.
However, it is full of astounding students!
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Join us as we extend a helping hand!
Vista Preparatory Academy Leadership Program
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GOAL: Vista Preparatory Academy Leadership program’s goal is to open up possibilities for in the minds of underprivileged and challenged young people in the area of leadership.
MISSION: Vista Preparatory Academy Leadership program’s mission is to prepare young people for a future in leading others into the best possible life through influence, experience and interaction.
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Vista Preparatory Academy has a history of students who come from difficult economic circumstances.[1] In addition, Vista’s parent population has been, for varied reasons, mostly uninvolved in the current junior high education process. Along with these two difficulties, the school is highly underfunded, which makes extracurricular programs prohibitive financially as well as limiting staffing.
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We, at the Vinedresser’s House, believe that these particular students deserve the best possible education. We also believe that finances should never be the limiting factor when helping students gain experiences that will open minds to learning and shape lives into hard working people who lead with morals and ethics based upon care, compassion, empathy and willingness to serve as well as be served.
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With this in mind, we have sponsored the creation of the Vista Preparatory Academy Leadership. This academy will do three things:
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First, it will expose the students to people from all over the United States, Canada and as far away as Japan. These leaders will address the students in person or by ZOOM, where they will tell their stories of success, help the students discover their own incredible talents and give them training in leadership. Each speaker will also give the students a remembrance object symbolizing their story and success.[2]
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Second, it will allow the students to serve through school projects and a yearly community project. School projects include leadership in assemblies and other group interactions and a project that improves the school in some way as well as leaving a remembrance of their time at Vista for future students to enjoy. The community project is focused on improving circumstances in an area of student concern. The students rais the funds as well as completing the work of each project.
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Thirdly, the students who are in 7rh grade will spend four days in Sacramento. They will visit the Capitol and meet with lawmakers, experience outings and have meals with those in California leadership.
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Additional goals of the Leadership Academy are experience, interaction and influence. We will build memories and knowledge that become catalysts of intention within the minds of Vista Prep students.
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To participate in the program, students are recommended by teachers, administrators or staff that have observed leadership (even if hidden) ability. Academic work is required but there is no GPA standard, as the program is focused on igniting the mind to learn.
We believe that this program will change the future of each child who is privileged to participate. As we all know, when a child’s heart and mind change, the future of their home and community will also change.
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With all this in mind, we would ask you to participate in the building of the future leaders of Red Bluff, California and the great United States. As noted in the beginning of this writing, these students do not have high income lives with parents who can simply pay for this incredible opportunity.
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We at The Vinedresser’s House have donated all the hours it has taken to write, organize, attain speakers and lead the program. All the speakers have agreed to donate their time as well as supply each student with a remembrance object from their time together. In addition, three celebrations for the students and their families (complete with gifts for the students and their siblings) have been provided by the PCUSA in Red Bluff.
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Each of these people and organizations believe in these Jr High students. All are giving financial and personal time for their betterment. However, not all of our needs have been met. In addition, we are seeking the following:
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We need to finance the creation of uniforms for the students who are in the program to make them immediately recognizable at events and when traveling.
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We need to finance the trip to Sacramento in May of 2026. This includes travel, motel, food and experiences.
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We need to finance the community and school projects for the 2025/6 school year.[3]
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We need your help!
[1] Appendix A – Vista Preparatory Academy Demographics
[2] Appendix B – List of Speakers for the 2025/26 school year.
[3] This fundraising will include student efforts
Vista Preparatory Academy Leadership
Student Sponsor
These students will not be able to experience these unique activities without our help. Please consider becoming a sponsor and enabling a better future for the students of Red Bluff. The Vinedresser’s House is asking you to join with the our community in helping students.
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Thank you for considering sponsoring a leadership participant. These students will not be able to experience these unique activities without our help. Please consider becoming a sponsor and enabling a better future for the students of Red Bluff. If you do not wish to sponsor a student, you may also donate any amount you choose. We are grateful for any support you choose to provide!
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Level 1: $250.00 <<<Click Here
Student Supplies, including shirts, pants, hats and backpacks. West Apparel, in Red Bluff, has donated the creation of a logo and will be doing production. Level one Sponsorship covers cost of all leadership uniform elements.
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Level 2: $750.00 <<<Click Here
Travel and Experience: Students will spend 4 days and 3 nights in Sacramento. They will spend two of those days at the Sacramento Capitol with lawmakers, including lunch or dinner with a lawmaker and two in experiential activities. Sponsorship covers all travel, food and activities.
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Level 3: $1000.00 <<<Click Here
Supplies and Travel: This is a single sponsorship that covers both supplies and travel for the entire school year.
All Sponsors will receive a certificate for display and formal thank you letters from both the Vinedresser’s House and Vista Preparatory Academy. All Donations may be made either at thevinedressershouse.com or by check.
Appendix A
Vista Preparatory Academy Demographics
Location:
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Vista Preparatory Academy is located in Red Bluff California.
Red Bluff is a mostly rural town with a population of 14,592.
The average income is less than $50,000, with 20% of the population statistically earning less than the national and California poverty level.
There is a large Hispanic population in Red Bluff, many of whom are undocumented and thus not included in statistics, who also live under the poverty level.
Red Bluff has an excessively high crime rate that has placed it as one of the ten most dangerous cities in California in 2024.
The area’s main economic focus is based on agriculture, forestry, health, and education.
School Population:
Vista Preparatory Academy hosts a population made up of 53.4% male and 46.4% female.
The students are 45% white, 42.8% Hispanic and 12.8% other race population.
The student body consists of 83.8% socioeconomically disadvantaged children;
In addition there are15% disabled children; 14% English learning children; 3.5% known homeless children; 1.1% foster children and .2% known migrant children (the number of migrant children is notably, but not statistically higher, as can be observed in the classroom).
School Academics:
The CAASPP[1] English/Language Arts testing average for the student population is 24.19% (State average is 46%).
The CAASPP Math testing average for the student population is 12.10% (State average is 34%)
The CAASPP Science testing average for the student population is 9.26% (State average is 30.29%)
There is a chronic absenteeism rate of 33.7%; an 18.08% suspension rate, and more than 50% rate of repeated temporary removal from classroom due to misbehaviors.
The total expenditure per student is $9,312.00. The average per student in California is $18,020.00.
The teachers at Vista Preparatory Academy make 20% less than the California State average.
The overall facility (state of the buildings) rating for Vista Preparatory Academy is POOR.
While these demographics are disheartening, they are from the 2023-24 school year. At the beginning of the 2024-25 school year a new Principal, Steve Hiscock, began implementing several changes to the school, including discipline, educational improvements, support services for teachers and other staff, and student program creation. Due to these changes, the school will have some higher ratings in the coming SARC report.
[1] The CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress) is a computer-based assessment system in California that measures student mastery of California learning standards. It includes The Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments (SBSA) for English language arts/literacy and mathematics in grades 3-8 and 11, and the California Science Test (CAST) for grades 5, 8, and a high school grade. The CAASPP also includes California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
Appendix B
Vista Preparatory Academy Leadership
Speakers List 2025-26
Parents and Sponsors welcome to attend!
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Sept 4—introduction—sign contract, receiving journals, speaker lists, expectations etc.—it would be way cool if we could do this in the evening and have parents attend.
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Sept 11 —Chairman Jack Potter, Redding Rancheria. Tribal Chairman. Does presentation on indigenous peoples of America, focusing on our area. Met with President Joe Biden to receive Declaration of the Sattitlaa Highlands National Monument. He Has spoken all over US, speaks of choosing out of discrimination.
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Sept 18—Penni Elaine, Master’s in Divinity. Penni came from a home wrought with mental illness and speaks on how she chose out of the anger that home brought to her. She has spent her life helping others deal with the difficulties within family/social relationships.
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September25—Dr Julio Orozzo, Director, Georgetown University Counseling Center, Professor of Psychology. Dr. Orozzo’s parents were undocumented and crossed the border in Texas 10 days before he was born. He grew up as an American with undocumented parents. His story is riveting.
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October 2 and 9—Mr. Charles Kernell, retired, Michigan. Blue spoke to thousands of school kids about Jim Crow laws, their demise and how life changed after the ending of those laws. He gives personal stories that will break your heart. He also has activities that teach the kids about hate versus respect. He was involved with Malcom X and was witness to the change that took that influential man from hating white people to believing that all people have value. He will need two weeks.
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Oct 16—Chonda Dixon, Master of Arts, Student Development Simpson University. Chonda’s mother was one of the three girls who integrated the school system in Washington DC. They had to be accompanied by Armed soldiers to enter the school and still they did it. Amazing story of fortitude and determination. Shonda grew up in Washington DC and has been witness to the changes of time.
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October 23—Dr. Thomas Middlebrook, Phd, Simpson University. Dr. Middlebrook is an expert in Middle Eastern History. He will speak on one of several subjects of expertise. He is especially drawn to impacting young people and will be a fun break after the last three weeks.
October 30—CELEBRATION OF THE HARVEST PARTY! To be held at Red Bluff Presbyterian Church. The speaker will be retired American Government teacher Chris Bauer. Mr. Bauer taught high school for 41 years. He has lived through immense changes in American government and will talk about the reason the Constitution was originally written. ***Family Members are invited to attend!***
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November 6 and 13—Dr Pat Blewett, Simpson University, Dean Tozer Seminary, WASC accreditation, Peacekeepers International, Entrepreneur, Worldwide University Professor. Dr Blewett is an educator to the core and will spend two weeks teaching the kids about learning and how it changes lives. He will likely bring people in by ZOOM from all over the world to meet the students.
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November 20—Wendy Lumbert, BA Journalism, Wendy owns and operates Black Magic German Shepherds. Her clientele is made up of upper eschalon people and she caters to the wealthy. Wendy is an expert in reproduction, healthy food, genetic issues and sales. She has a 45 year history in the Dog world. she is interesting and super fun to hear. ***There will be dogs in class that day.
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December 4—Mr. Hiscock will tell his story of how he ended up as the principal of Vista Prep
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December 11—Mr. Stinson, head of Vista Preparatory Academy Leadership will tell his story
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December 18—Party! To be held at Red Bluff Presbyterian Church. Speaker TBA and will speak on the necessity of charity in all civilizations and social structures. ***Family Members are invited to attend!***
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January 8—Ralph Michael Clark, Mechanic. Clark is a great speaker for kids because he is super funny but blunt. He talks about what happens after a person gets out of recovery. He has been sober and serving for over 20 years, works as a mechanic and is a single dad of tow kids.
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January 15 and 22—Bill Johnson, Department of Homeland Security. Bill will tell his very difficult childhood story, how he chose out of those circumstances and in to law enforcement, then discuss what it is like to work in DC, what DHS does and what it is like to train the most powerful men in the world in weapons management.
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January 29 and February 5—Anne Scully, Esquire. Ann was one of two female congressional lawyers during the time of the women’s rights movement of the 60’s and 70’s. She spent her entire career in Washington DC, representing California. She is funny, poignant, and super capable when asked questions Anne will present Vista Prep with a flag flown over the United States Capitol.
Feb 12—TBA[1]
February 19—TBA
Feb 26—Tom Westbrook, City Manager, Mr Westbrook will talk about the city of Red Bluff.
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March 5—Dave Gowan, CEO Red Bluff Chamber of Commerce, Dave has worked with kids in Juvenile Detention and is quite skilled at discussing how to stay out of that hard place.
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March 12—TBA*
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March 19—TBA*
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March 26— Dr. Craig Smith, Wagner Hills Farnm Society, Vancouver Canada. Largest recovery center organization in Canada. He has an incredible story; he lived and taught in the states until last winter when he moved home as a result of the turmoil in our country.
April 2— Spring Maunday Thursday Dinner to be held at Red Bluff Presbyterian Church Details TBA
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April 16—TBA*
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April 23—TBA*
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April 30—TBA*
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May 7—Currently open but I am waiting to hear if we have a state Rep who will come and speak just before we go to Sacramento
*Additional Currently Unscheduled Speakers
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SF Giants Publicity office (name TBA)
Jana Blewett NVCSS fire recovery Administration. Jana rebuilds lives after California Wildfires.
Dr Gary Schmidt, Vancouver Canada. Dr Schmidt teaches how to start and run a business with the idea of building community as well as wealth.
Dr. David Yip, Hong Kong. Dr. Yip founded the very first counseling center in Hong Kong.
Dr, Corneilius Quek, Singapore. Dr. Queck is a student success specialist.
Dr Deb Hoffman, psychologist and chaplain to the Nebraska State Patrol.
Blessing Yemi Mobilade, Mayor of Colorado Springs. Mr. Mobilade is an immigrant from Nigeria and a successful private business owner. He specializes in community.
Mrs. Angie Hurtado. Student Academic services, Simpson University. Mrs. Hurtado is a Latino race specialist.
Tony Yoder, retired Air Force jet pilot
[1] Open dates are necessary as some schedules cannot be written before January.
