OXFORD – David Branham’s daughter Hollyann will enter her senior year at Syracuse University this fall. She wouldn’t be there, he says, if it wasn’t for Jim Podraza.
According to Branham, the former Oxford High School principal was instrumental in helping his daughter get into the school, which was Podraza’s alma mater.
Hollyann is not alone. She is one of countless students he helped, both directly and indirectly, during his years as an educator and into his retirement.
Podraza passed away in December at the age of 75, but his efforts to ensure Oxford students achieve their higher education goals lives on through what is perhaps his greatest legacy to the community: the Oxford Chapter of Dollars for Scholars.
According to Kate Constantine, Podraza was the “driving force” behind establishing the chapter in 1991. The long time Oxford High School math teacher serves as the liaison between the school and the community members on the group’s volunteer board.
“It was established ‘to expand access to higher education by involving and assisting the community in the support and in the encouragement of higher levels of educational achievement,’” she explained, quoting the group’s mission statement.
Oxford’s DFS chapter has grown exponentially from those early days. Last year, the group awarded eight $1,200 scholarships. Another $40,000 was given out in total by the other 15 scholarship funds which operate under the organization’s umbrella.
“For a small school, we certainly give away a substantial amount of scholarship money,” Constantine said.
One of the ways in which the group raises the money for those many scholarships is through its annual golf tournament. Podraza chaired the very first event, held in May of 1992. He continued as tournament chair for a number of years, before turning it over to Ken Seiler. Seiler has now handed those reins to Branham.
“Jim was always there helping out, getting prize donations and soliciting teams,” said Constantine, explaining that Podraza had remained actively involved in the event even after stepping down from running it.
This, the tournament’s 20th year, will be the first in which he is not involved. His presence will surely be felt, however, as the event is being dedicated in his honor.
“We are naming the golf tournament in memory of Jim,” Constantine explained. Members of Podraza’s family are expected to attend.
The Jim Podraza Dollars for Scholars Tournament will be held on Saturday, May 21 at Blue Stone Golf Course in Oxford. Registration will open at 8:30 a.m., with a shotgun start at 9:30.
The cost to participate in the 18-hole captain and crew event is $40 for Blue Stone members; $60 for non-members. The fee includes golf, cart rental, coffee and doughnuts prior to golf, and lunch following the tournament.
Businesses and individuals can also support the event by sponsoring a hole for $50.
“The support that we’re receiving is amazing,” Branham said.
Already registrations have surpassed last year’s event, and there is still room for more four-person teams.
Anyone interested in signing up a team, or becoming a sponsor, can do so by calling Blue Stone at 843-8352.
Branham said he will proudly be sporting Syracuse orange for the tournament in Podraza’s memory. He encourages others to do the same. Not a Syracuse fan? He suggests wearing garb representing your favorite college or university team.
“We want to support higher education,” he said.