The Golden Cord: A Deep Dive Into CSF and its Impact at Redwood

California Scholarship Federation (CSF) is a non-profit organization that provides scholarships, academic opportunities, and volunteer services for students. Members and staff involved in CSF at Redwood share the organization’s progress throughout the years.

By: Solomon Burciaga

CSF began in 1921, founded by Charles F. Seymour who sought to give opportunities to academic achievers living in the state of California. Now there are approximately 1,500 CSF chapters across the state, Redwood being one of them.

Nicole Vieira, an AP and Honors English teacher at Redwood, is also the CSF advisor of Redwood’s chapter. This year there are over 460 members of CSF at Redwood. And it is Vieira’s job to manage these students.

After Mrs. Cheatwood, the previous CSF Advisor, retired in 2022, the opportunity to fill the position opened up. Vieira gladly took the opportunity as she has had plenty of experience advising other clubs. 

Vieira has made a lot of changes in the past two years. She says, “I’ve made CSF more accessible. I have moved the application to an online process. I’ve created a website to support students and I run the Instagram.” 

“I do a lot. CSF is a beast. I keep things running,” says Vieira.

She says that one of her main goals is to increase the amount of students in CSF. “The more students that are in CSF, the more scholarships I can provide,” says Vieira.

In a poll taken by Redwood’s CSF Chapter, results show that about 54% of members learned about CSF through an upperclassman, older sibling, or directly from Vieira. She says “My biggest goal is outreach. I wish all students were aware of CSF and the opportunities we provide.”

CSF also provides ways to earn community service. She says, “Service is a pillar of CSF. Service is important. If you have time and resources you should always find a way to give back.”

CSF Lifetime members have a lot of privileges. Such as being able to qualify for further scholarships, credibility on applications, and an honorary luncheon. Lifetime members are also able to sit in the front row at graduation, along with the famed golden cord.

CSF is also recognized as a club at Redwood. This means that they have a council, and this year’s president is Ashlyn Guenter, ‘24.

Guenter is a lifetime member of CSF and she has been involved in it for all 4 years of high school. She says, “My council members and I organize service projects. We plan monthly meetings and we try and get the school involved with the community.”

“CSF is a great representation of serving others,” says Guenter.

She says, “I loved our October service event, Trunk or Treat. That was my favorite one. It was so fun seeing all the little kids and handing out candy to them.”

Kaylene Garza, ’25, is another member of CSF. She has also been a member since her freshman year and says she first heard about CSF in Middle School. She says, “I wanted to get involved and I thought that would be an easy way to meet new people.”

“I’ve gotten to interact with a bunch of different people,” says Garza.

Garza is a Junior Associate, meaning a council member in training. She plans on being a full-time council member in her Senior year. She says, “I’ve always wanted to be an officer since I was a Freshman. When I got it I was really excited.”

The most recent CSF community service project was reading books to Kindergarteners. Garza says, “That was really fun. Being there and being a good example for them.”

“[CSF] has definitely taught me to branch out more and get out of my comfort zone and put myself out there.”

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