Media Contact:
Ellora La Shier, WVC Foundation coordinator, 509-682-6417
Robert Sandidge, RLS Productions, LLC 509-669-6872

WVC students Bree Bishop and James Florom each received a $1,000 scholarship from the Wenatchee Valley College Foundation.

Bishop plans to complete an associate in applied science transfer degree in graphic design this spring. Florom is currently pursuing an associate of technical science degree in computer technology-network administration.

These scholarships are made possible from direct donations to the RLS Productions’ Concerts in the Gardens WVC Foundation account by Horan Estates Winery. The RLS Productions’ Concerts in the Gardens is a five-week summer concert series held annually at Ohme Gardens in Wenatchee, Wash. The concert series is produced by Robert and Rio Sandidge, co-owners of RLS Productions, LLC.

“An education is an amazing gift,” said Beth and Dennis Dobbs, co-owners of Horan Estates Winery. “The WVC Foundation is an asset in our community. We want those opportunities to continue to be available. We are pleased to share our passion for philanthropy and deep interest in our love of music and continue to support our community. These annual scholarships that arise from RLS Productions’ Concerts in the Gardens series make this contribution a natural fit.”

Funding comes from direct sponsorships, ticket sales and supporters of the concert series. RLS Productions set a goal in 2014 of raising $35,000 to endow a scholarship for the Wenatchee Valley College Foundation.

“Rio and I are happy to announce that we have decided to raise the amount promised to the Wenatchee Valley College Foundation for the RLS Endowment account from $35,000 to $43,000.  Looking into the future; we only see a positive outlook for the series,” said Sandidge. Since the series began in 2014, almost $48,000 has been donated to the WVC Foundation. $12,000 has already been awarded in annual scholarships.

“As always, a big thank you needs to go out to Horan Estates’ Dennis and Beth Dobbs and all our sponsors, supporters, volunteers, the RLS stage crew, Tastebuds catering, and the Ohme Gardens events team. Together, the Wenatchee Valley and visitors make this all possible,” said Sandidge.

The 2019 summer concert series occurs every Thursday for five weeks from June 27 to August 1. For more information on the concert series, visit RLStalent.com.

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Three goals drive RLS Productions’ Concerts in the Gardens: First, increase mid-week tourism outside a 50-mile radius of Wenatchee Valley and its bedroom communities. Second, develop the series into a regional concert series held at Ohme Gardens, resulting in increased tourism. Third, build a $43,000 scholarship endowment for the Wenatchee Valley College Foundation through an annual contribution of 25 percent of the net ticket sales, while at the same time generating immediate annual financial assistance for students in need. Information on the 2019 RLS Productions’ Concert in the Gardens summer series are available at RLStalent.com.

The WVC Foundation was incorporated in 1971. It exists to build relationships between the community and the college and raise financial support for Wenatchee Valley College students, programs, faculty and staff, as well as special projects such as building campaigns like the Music and Art Center. For information on how to make a gift to the foundation, establish a scholarship or include the WVC Foundation in your estate plans, contact (509) 682-6410. Visit the WVC Foundation website at wvc.edu/Foundation.

Wenatchee Valley College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and student enrollment. All programs are free from discrimination and harassment against any person because of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, parental status or families with children, marital status, religion, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status or any other prohibited basis per RCW 49.60.030, 040 and other federal and state laws and regulations, or participation in the complaint process. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX compliance for both the Wenatchee and Omak campuses:

• To report discrimination or harassment: Title IX Coordinator, Wenatchi Hall 2322M, (509) 682-6445, title9@wvc.edu.
• To request disability accommodations: Student Access Coordinator, Wenatchi Hall 2133, (509) 682-6854, TTY/TTD: dial 711, sas@wvc.edu.