ATSSA Signal May June 2020

American Traffic Safety Services Association 28 The Foundation ATSS Foundation events popular, poignant for both participants and beneficiaries 50th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo includes inaugural Fun Run By Pamela Gould, Signal Staff Writer When Mariela Lara flew with a friend fromsouthernCalifornia toNewOrleans for the 50th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo, she had no idea she would end up meeting someone who had worked with her late father. Mariela was one of nine recipients of the RoadwayWorkerMemorial Scholarshipfor the2019–20academic year andattended the 29th Annual Foundation Golf Classic Tournament at English Turn Golf & Coun - try Club. The Jan. 24 golf event was one of three ATSS Foundation events held in conjunctionwiththeConvention.Proceeds fromall of themsupport TheFoundation’s Toward ZeroDeaths efforts including the Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship program, theNational Work ZoneMemo - rial program, theExperienceCampsTravel Scholarshipprogram, andtheMartyWeed Engineering Scholarship. Marielabrieflyaddressedthecrowdof golf - ers before they headed out in their carts, sharing that her father, Adan Lara, cared a lot about educationandhadbeenactive in her schooling. Hewas killed inOctober 2015atage57whileworkingwithaVentura County Public Works crew that was clear - ing debris from a winding road in prepa - ration for an El Nino storm. “Thescholarshipreallyallowedmetopursue hisdreamand followmydreams,” she told them. “I think he would have been proud that I amhere.” MarielawasinherfirstyearatSantaBarbara City College, but said she hopes to trans - fer to the University of California, Santa Barbara to finish her bachelor’s degree. She is interested inenvironmental science. MarcieWalker, another scholarship recip - ient, attended the 8th Annual Sporting ClaysEventatHighPointShootingGrounds where she spent the day interacting with participants. It was held the same day as Erick Gustafson of Zumar Industries introduces himself to Mariela Lara on the course at English Turn Golf & Country Club during the 29th Annual Golf Classic Tournament on Jan. 24. Gustafson had worked with Mariela’s father, Adan Lara.

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