For Alicia Crowell, pictured above on the left, giving back to her community isn’t just something she does in her spare time – it’s woven into the fabric of who she is. As a Financial Services Representative at First Foundation Bank’s Lucerne Valley branch, Alicia discovered a purpose in her volunteer work with the Lucerne Valley Academic and Vocational Scholarship Foundation.
Rooted in the heart of Lucerne Valley, this scholarship program represents decades of community dedication to supporting high school graduates as they pursue college or vocational training. Founded by visionary community members, the Scholarship Foundation has long relied on grassroots fundraising from local residents and businesses to award both academic and trade-focused scholarships, creating pathways for students to build meaningful careers.
When Alicia first observed her manager, Brooke Diegmiller, working closely with local high school graduates, she was immediately drawn to the program’s personal and hands-on approach. Having attended a much larger high school, this level of individualized support was rare, and Alicia recognized the extraordinary impact this tight-knit community was making on its students. “It moved me,” she recalls. “I wanted to do whatever I could to support the students here.”
What began as an eagerness to help quickly evolved into a game-changing contribution. Recognizing the program’s potential, Alicia played a key role in the ambitious transition from a grassroots community initiative into an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. She immersed herself in complex regulatory requirements, navigated intricate paperwork, and shepherded the entire application process through to successful completion. This strategic transformation didn’t just maintain the Foundation’s community roots – it exponentially expanded its reach, unlocking corporate donation opportunities and establishing a sustainable framework to support students for decades to come.
The impact extends far beyond the scholarships themselves. For Alicia, this volunteer work has deepened her own roots in Lucerne Valley. “It’s like a self-fulfilling prophecy,” she explains. “Through volunteering, you build relationships, discover new opportunities to contribute, and before you know it, you’re genuinely invested in the place you call home.”
Her philosophy is both simple and profound: caring for your community mirrors caring for family. “When you’re truly connected to a place, it’s hard not to want to see your community thrive,” Alicia reflects. “And it’s rewarding to know you played even a small role in making it better each year.”
Alicia may be humble about her role, but the legacy she’s building is transformative. By establishing the Scholarship Foundation to nonprofit certification, she hasn’t just opened doors for individual students, she’s created a lasting pathway for future generations of Lucerne Valley graduates to chase their dreams. Her work is a powerful reflection of her professional excellence, deep personal commitment, and unwavering belief in the transformative power of investing in community. It’s not just an achievement—it’s a gift that will continue to uplift lives for years to come.