The areas of responsibility under the Educational Support Committee are as listed in the roster: WIN, high school scholarships, continuing education scholarships, Professional Technical Award, Women’s Opportunity Award, Violet Richardson Award, Making a Difference for Women Recognition and the Women of Distinction Recognition.

Penny Wolf has taken over the leadership of WIN and she coordinates closely with Mitzi Sanders at Sequim High School (SHS). A mailing went out in September to all female high school students and there has been good response to the portion of the mailing that the girls were to fill out and return. Two events are currently scheduled: a ROPES Challenge Course day on October 24th, and an evening event on November 17th with Washington State Supreme Court Justice Susan Owens our guest speaker. More things will be planned as the year goes along.

Continuing Education Scholarship award winners were announced last month. This award is for college students in sophomore years and above. Our winners this year were Tiffany Sande, Rebecca Westman, and Bethany Meyers Weed. (see sidebar.)

There are two awards currently “open”: the Violet Richardson Award and the Women’s Opportunity Award. Violet Richardson Award is named after the president of the 1st Soroptimist Club, is funded by the SIA Foundation, and is a cash grant awarded to a young woman making the world a better place through her volunteer efforts. The local winner’s application goes on to region and possibly beyond. Dale Simon is once again taking responsibility for this award. She has community members who will be doing the judging of the applications all ready to go. If you know of any deserving young woman between the ages of 14 and 17, please contact Dale for an application packet. Or applications can be obtained from Mitzi Sanders at Sequim High School or at Cole’s Jewelry Store in Sequim.

The Women’s Opportunity Award, also funded by SIA Foundation, is given to a head of household woman seeking to improve the economic status of her family by gaining additional skills, training and education. Judy Ogilvie is the Soroptimist sister responsible for this particular award. Advertising for applications will begin mid-October and the applications will be due by December 1. Again, if you know of someone who may fit that description, can show financial need, and has not yet earned an undergraduate degree, please contact Judy for an application brochure.

As the year progresses, there will be more information forthcoming about the other awards/ recognitions/ scholarships. We can be so very proud of the opportunities we’re providing for people in our community, the families we’re helping, and the impact we’re having on lives in the Sequim valley.                 

The Soroptimist Club of Sequim is pleased to announce the recipients of its three Continuing Education Scholarships. Tiffany Sande is a 1998 graduate of Sequim High School.  After receiving her Paramedic certificate in 2000, she went on to earn an Associate of Applied Sciences in Emergency Medical Services in 2003 from Tacoma Community College.  She is one of forty-one students accepted into MEDEX Northwest Physician Assistant Program at the University of Washington.  Her expected graduation date will be June, 2006.   Bethany Weed received a B.S. in Social Work with a minor in Humanities from Brigham Young University in April of 2003, and graduate Cum Laude.  After spending four months working in orphanages in Ecuador, she decided to return to school and work on her Masters in Social Work.  After graduation, she hopes to become licensed and certified as a play therapist.   Rebecca Westman graduated from Sequim High School and received an Associate of Arts Degree from Peninsula College in June, 2004.  She is presently attending Northwest College and is majoring in Elementary Education. Soroptimist Club of Sequim is part of an international organization committed to serving local, national and international communities. To learn more about Soroptimist of Sequim visit our web page at www.sisequim.com