At
our first meeting of 2004 the Foundations Committee told us that a
winner of the Violet Richardson Award had been chosen. The $250.00
cash award, given to a high school student between the ages of 14 and
17, is a merit award and is not based on academic achievement.
The award program is named after Violet Richardson, the president of the first Soroptimist club in 1921. Richardson believed in personal responsibility and the motto, “It’s what you do that counts.” She lived her life accordingly, as an active member in her community who was committed to creating opportunities for girls and young women. Soroptimist established this award to honor the memory of this unique woman and her dedication to volunteer action. The
student must demonstrate a commitment to improving the lives of others
through dedicated, motivated and enthusiastic volunteer action. Efforts
to benefit women and children are of particular interest to the judges
of this award. |
||
When the name of the recipient was announced, it occurred to me that I know her – unless there is another Allison Tjemsland. Computer Solutions has done computer work for her folks. We have purchased Girl Scout cookies from Allison and her sister for years. It always impressed me that the girls came into the store together and asked if we’d like to order any cookies. They were doing the work themselves, learning how to deal with people, learning about mutual respect. What great lessons their parents were teaching them. Dale Simon from our Foundations Committee confirmed the Allison Tjemsland I know is the young woman who is to receive the Violet Richardson Award at our January 27, 2004 Soroptimist meeting. |
 Allison Tjemsland |
|
|
I wanted to include a photo of Allison for this article in our Soropti-Scoop newsletter so I called the Tjemsland home. Allison’s dad, Pete, answered the phone. We exchanged pleasantries: Happy New Year; How’s business? How’s retirement (from the Navy)? Then Pete asked me if I had seen the article in the previous day’s Sequim Gazette about Allison. I hadn’t had a chance to read it yet. He said it talked about a “cookie training rally” that was a project of Allison’s. She is working for her Silver Award, the highest award a Cadet Girl Scout can earn. He told me that the scouts now have two additional kind/flavor of cookies to offer customers. Looks like Allison is teaching him. :>) Pete also mentioned that Allison was one of the local students that recently visited Japan. Kudos to Allison Tjemsland! What a wonderful example she is to all of us. Kathy Purcell |
||
|
|
SI Sequim |