Scholarship Funds
Ventura County Bar Association is working for you….J. Roger Myers Scholarship Fund
In Memoriam – March 25, 1941 – January 18, 2022
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J. Roger Myers scholarship has been created in his honor. Monte Widders, who is Myers’ longtime friend and business partner, donated the initial contribution for the scholarship fund.
Roger grew up in Nebraska, where he was an honor student and won the high school state championship in the 100 yard dash. He then attended the University of Nebraska, where he played both offense and defense on the Cornhuskers’ football team. Upon graduation, he served a tour of duty in Vietnam, rising to the rank of Captain. After his military service, Roger attended Hastings College of Law. After passing the bar, he served as a Deputy District Attorney in Ventura. In 1971, he co-founded the law firm that still bears his name.
Roger was dedicated to community service. He was a founding member of Ventura County Stand Down, which provides homeless veterans and their families with needed services. He was also a member and president of two Rotary Clubs, elected member of the Ojai Unified School Board, and president of the Ventura County Bar Association. In 2007, Roger received the Ben Nordman award for community service – the Ventura County Bar Association’s highest award. When presenting the award, past recipient Ron Harrington described Roger as “a lawyer’s lawyer, a loyal friend, a superior intellect, a
man of impeccable integrity and good humor, and a perfect gentleman.” Roger Myers will be sorely missed by his friends, colleagues, clients, children, grandchildren and the community at large.
M. Carmen Ramirez Legacy Scholarship Fund
In Memoriam – August 14, 1948 – August 12, 2022
Supervisor Carmen Ramirez’s family and staff have established a Legacy Scholarship Fund in collaboration with the Ventura County Community Foundation to honor her lifelong work and support the next generation of public service leaders. Inquiries about the Scholarship Fund may be directed to the District 5 Office at 805-654-2613 or District5@ventura.org.
Chair Carmen Ramirez’s life and legacy
Supervisor Carmen Ramirez dedicated her service to improving Oxnard, Ventura County, and the greater Southern California region for future generations. Throughout her public service, she was an advocate for Oxnard and worked unwaveringly to protect the environment, uplift underserved communities, and advance women’s rights in Ventura County.
In 2020, Supervisor Ramirez made history as the first Latina elected to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors representing District 5. In 2022, Supervisor Ramirez became the first Latina to serve as Chair of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. During her tenure, Supervisor Ramirez championed COVID-19 response and economic recovery, and improved government services in Greater Oxnard, particularly advancing areas of environmental and social justice, youth engagement, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the County government. Notably, she served on many regional organizations including the Southern California Association of Governments where she was currently serving as the First Vice President. In 2012, Governor Brown appointed Chair Ramirez to serve on the Commission on State Mandates. Before being elected County Supervisor, Supervisor Ramirez proudly served on the Oxnard City Council between 2010 and 2020, including eight years as Mayor Pro Tem. During her tenure on the Council, Supervisor Ramirez championed social and environmental justice, government accountability, and economic vitality.
In 1978, Supervisor Ramirez began her career as a legal aid attorney in Ventura County. She represented low-income individuals and families before the government and the courts through the legal aid program. The program later became Channel Counties Legal Services where Ramirez served as Director until joining the Superior Court to run the Self-Help Legal Center in La Colonia. Throughout her legal career, she mentored youth, law students, and lawyers interested in advancing social and environmental justice issues. Many of these individuals now have successful careers across the country.
Raised in Pico Rivera, one of seven siblings, Supervisor Ramirez is survived by her husband Roy Prince, five siblings, and her two stepsons. Supervisor Ramirez felt deep pride for the Oxnard and District 5 community. Her legacy lives on through the lives and work of the many whom she inspired.
Ventura County Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 public charity, Federal Tax ID: 77-0165029.
A portion or more of your gift may be tax deductible as a charitable contribution through the VCCF and will be used in compliance with our 501(c)3 tax-exempt status. Per IRS regulations, we confirm that no goods or services have been provided in return for this contribution All charitable contributions to the VCCF are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
J. Roger Myers Scholarship Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must be residents of Ventura County and currently enrolled in any law school in the United States at the time of scholarship application submission. Proof of enrollment must be submitted at the time of application; and
- Applicants must intend to return to practice law in Ventura County; and
- Applicants are required to submit an essay of 300 to 500 words in response to the following:
- Please explain how you intend to use your law degree to benefit the local legal community of Ventura County.
Each award will be offered on a nondiscriminatory basis in compliance with federal and state anti-discriminatory laws.
Preference in the selection process will be given to military veterans or those currently serving in the military.
The two $2,500 scholarships will be officially awarded on an ongoing, yearly basis at the Ventura County Bar Association Installation and Awards Dinner that occurs every November. The award will be made payable to the law school and will be disbursed from Ventura County Legal Aid, Inc. 501(c)(3) Tax ID 43-1956297.
