Marie Cruz:  

Moved to the Santa Clarita Valley in June 2007 to be closer to my son and his family. I have been actively involved with the California Federation of Republican Women. I have moved through the ranks within the Federation. I have held positions as the President of our local group, Vice President for the Southern Division, Vice President and President for Los Angeles County, California Federation of Republican Women, Regional Director (Region 6 encompassing all of Los Angeles County). My son's family has grown to five beautiful young ladies. I have enjoyed retirement and being a "nana" to Callista Joy, 18 years old in May, Sophia Elizabeth, 16 years old in July, Julia Scarlett, 14 years old in September, Delilah Rose will be 12 years old in late November and Fiona Michele just turned 11 years old in April. I have gone back to work due to inflation, the cost of gas and cost of living. Cannot afford to own a house, a car and pay taxes on social security I miss San Diego and all my gal pals and friends. My son and I stopped buying season tickets to the Charger games because of the cost for the seat tax but still try to make a few of the home games. It has been a completely different experience with tailgating and our seats and not as fun as in San Diego. We continue to enjoy our ties to San Diego. Plan on doing more travelling and taking my son and his family to Guam by 2023. Looking forward to meeting up with all my old classmates during our upcoming 60th class reunion in October. While in San Diego I was involved in many roles of the San Diego Pacific Islander Festival Association (PIFA) (1995-2005), was first elected as President of the Pacific Islander Festival Association in 1999. Was the first female President of PIFA and served as the President for three consecutive years (1999-2001); was PIFA's Vice President in 2002 and then re-elected as President in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Instrumental in negotiating and obtaining the new permanent home at Ski Beach in Mission Bay with the City of San Diego for PIFA; influential in having this festival acknowledged as the largest Pacific Islander Festival on the continental United States attracting over 100,000 participants for the two-day event and the distinction of awarding the first scholarships through PIFA. This scholarship program grew from one $500 scholarship to a high school graduate to multiple scholarships totaling $10,000+ to high school and undergraduate students during my tenure. Raised corporate sponsorships to higher levels each year and increased the participation year after year. May is nationally recognized as Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Heritage month - for the first time since the inception of this recognition and on behalf of the Pacific Islanders, I was presented a Proclamation recognizing our role from the County of San Diego in 2003 and President George W. Bush sent a letter recognizing our achievement as the ...Expand for more