Willow Glen, California Since 1992
Neighbors
|
to be with daughter 
Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer Volunteer Dad: Alex Vargas, 39, shown here with his two daughters, both named Alejandra, works as manager for WEBCO while wearing various volunteer hats at his older daughter's school, including acting as a DJ, photographer, chaperone and head stage coordinator. By Amy Jenkins Ask any parent, teacher or student at River Glen School, "Who is Alex Vargas?" and they will know the answer. The 39-year old father makes it a point to be at all school functions so he can spend as much time as possible with his 11-year-old daughter, Alejandra. Since he became a manager at San Jose-based cleaning company Webco several years ago, Vargas has more time to spend volunteering. Vargas is "the sound and lighting guy," jokes River Glen School Principal Cecilia Barrie - Vargas is available whenever a stage needs to be set up for a talent show, holiday event or dance. He even puts his hobby as a disc jockey to good use at the school when he provides music for everything from holiday programs to the school walk-a-thon. When not busy at the school or work, he is a disc jockey at parties for friends and teachers. Every Tuesday, Vargas is busy with school activities and leadership roles on various parent committees. As president of the school site council, he works with the school board to handle the school budget. As the secretary of the parent booster club, called Habla, Vargas helps raise money for computers and the art and music programs. On the second Friday of the month he sets up the stage and runs the sound system for Mexican Bingo, in which parents participate. To further improve the school and spend time with his daughter, he also leads a computer class after school. Vargas teaches the seven students, including Alejandra, how to build computers from components by taking computers apart and rebuilding them. Having dad around is "nice," except during school dances, Alejandra says. But she enjoys spending time with her father at school sporting events, in which she says they are "the loudest fans in the gym." After the games Vargas buys all the athletes ice cream. "I enjoy kids," says Vargas, who moved to San Jose from Mexico in 1989. "I want to push them to be the best they can be. I get to know kids at the practices for the talent show and I want to help them. If teachers need any help at the school or personally they know they can call me." Recently, Vargas' cleaning crew donated time to steam clean the entire school's sidewalks, floors and walls. And even though he considers starting his own business, Vargas says he wouldn't change his free time for all the money in the world. He and his wife, Grace, also have another daughter named Alejandra, who is 1 year and 10 months old. Alejandra wouldn't comment on this year's Father's Day plans because she wishes to keep them a secret from her father. But for a past Father's Day she made her father a card using his name as an acronym - each letter stood for a characteristic she loves about him. Because her father was slightly overweight at the time, the "R" in Alejandro stood for "round," she says with a giggle. Vargas has made many sacrifices for his family. He visited his family only on weekends while he was helping expand his company to Las Vegas for two years and to Los Angeles for one year. The Vargas family enjoys going to the movies, beach and park together. Alejandra says her father calls Great America a "wild park" and Bonfante Gardens, where they went last weekend, a "quiet park." Vargas boasts that his daughter is polite and says "thank you" after he takes her to the park or does her any favors. He also says the family has a "very open relationship. We tell each other everything." "Time passes so fast," Vargas says. "I want to enjoy all the time I can with my family." |
Feedback, or story ideas for the Willow Glen Resident?
(Close this Window to go back to our home page.)
Copyright © SVCN, LLC. Maintained by GoGuys, Inc.