The Cassandra Byzak Memorial Scholarship for Conservative Thought

Below is some information regarding the scholarship for which I am raising money. Please pass this on to anyone who may be interested in contributing to this worthy cause.

This scholarship is specifically for conservative college students at CSU San Marcos. The requirements are really quite simple:

1) Academic excellence- Students with a 3.0 GPA or above can apply for this scholarship. As I know that the liberals who run our public institutions of higher learning have a tendency to grade down conservative students, I have decided to set the GPA at 3.0 rather than 3.5.

2) Proven history of standing up for conservative causes- A detailed history of the student's efforts on behalf of the conservative movement or various conservative causes. Letters of recommendation will be accepted, as well as verifiable work or volunteer experience.

3) Essay question- A short essay will be required that answers the following question (up to 1,000 words): "Given the fact that the overwhelming majority of college professors, associate or tenured, identify with a more leftist view of America and the world, how do you propose that we as conservatives counter the stifling affect this dominance in academia has had on free speech in college?"

4) NO FINANCIAL NEED REQUIREMENT- The students will not need to verify a financial need as many
other scholarships require. There are a large number of students whose parents make enough money to qualify for "middle class" status, but who still can't afford to send their kids to college.

Everyone, regardless of socio-economic status, may qualify for this scholarship.

The name of the scholarship: The Cassandra Byzak Memorial Scholarship for Conservative Thought

Who is Cassandra Byzak?

Cassandra Byzak was my mother. She passed away on March 19th of this year after a seven-year
battle with colon cancer.

She was born on Camp Pendleton and raised in Vista. As a young person, she rebelled and hit the road.

During the late 1960's, my mother was a bit of a radical in Berkeley. She was actively protesting the establishment, helping Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), or causing various problems for the Berkeley Police Department.

She emerged from the 1960s and 70s addicted to a variety of drugs. My siblings and I grew up on welfare. My mother sold drugs for years, including both marijuana and methamphetamine. She was even arrested on one occasion for possession with the intent to distribute. Only because she had three children was she given parole.

For many years the drinking and drug use that consumed her life directly affected ours. We had very little food most of the time. We moved regularly because of an inability to pay the rent. Our household was violent.

This lasted until 1993, when a close friend of my mother's died from AIDS. After this, she
cleaned up her life, stopped drinking and doing drugs, and began working regularly. She even
became a volunteer HIV/AIDS educator, teaching students in San Diego County school about safe
choices. Unlike many of those who currently teach about this issue, my mother always stressed abstinence.

It was during this time that she became much more conservative. She worked for several years and accomplished a great deal. She secured a house for us. Even though it was small, it was much better than what we were accustomed to. We no longer went hungry. In 1998, after landing a great job with Harry & David, a gourmet food store in the Carlsbad Company Stores, my mother was diagnosed with end-stage colon cancer.

Generally, end-stage colon cancer patients like my mother have a life expectancy of eight-months.

She fought for seven years. During this time, her courage and commitment to her family grew. She became even more conservative. She worked full time for five years, while simultaneously going through countless rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. It was only in 2003 that the disease had spread so much, and the treatments became so difficult, that she was forced to go on disability.

As I would take her to chemotherapy, we would listen to Sean Hannity or Tony Snow on the radio. Bill O'Reilly wasn't conservative enough for her.

Even up until the end, she would ask to listen to talk radio, or watch the FOX News Channel.
During her last days she showed a selflessness and commitment to her family that I know would not have been possible if she had not escaped the drugs, alcohol, and poor choices that had directed her life for so long. She was the epitome of a conservative: loyal to family, community and country.

After her death, I decided that I would honor her memory by donating a scholarship in her name for a local conservative college student. Given CSU San Marcos' obvious reputation for devout liberalism, I concluded that the scholarship should be given to one of their students.

Despite the fact that I am still in school (I start my first of two Masters degrees in October) and could use the money to pay for my tuition, I believe that another student can benefit from this money much more than I. My mother would have wanted it that way.

This is where you come in: I am trying to raise a total of $5,000 to provide two, $2,500
scholarships for CSUSM conservative students. That will put each of the two students through
college for one year.

Donations of any size will be greatly appreciated (and I really mean any size; $1, $5, $10 and up). If you are able to help, please send your donation to:

The Cassandra Byzak Memorial Scholarship
C/O Aaron Byzak
2404 Granada Way
Carlsbad, CA 92008

I will provide receipts for all who donate.

This is a worthy cause and I encourage you to help. Also, please spread the word to other
conservatives and like-minded moderates who may be interested in helping us in this worthy
endeavor.

Thank you for your time and consideration. Please feel free to email me at any time should you have any questions, comments or ideas. All input is welcome.

Respectfully,

Aaron Byzak
aaronbyzak@yahoo.com