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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Two-wheel transit ... Guest Opinion: Iran agreement has potential ... Guest Opinion: Build Phillips Field for both sports ... Our View: Two-wheel transit ... Guest Opinion: Iran agreement has potential ... Guest Opinion: Build Phillips Field for both sports ... SOROPTOMISTS Outstanding local young women awarded scholarships Comment By Mary I. Coombs DailyTidings.com By Mary I. Coombs Posted May. 14, 2015 at 2:00 AM By Mary I. Coombs Posted May. 14, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Social News Soroptomists International of Ashland held its 2015 Recognition and Awards Luncheon, honoring an extraordinary group of women and girls, on Wednesday at the Ashland Springs Hotel. A primary income source for local Soroptomists since 1949, shortly after its founding in Ashland, is the "Pillow Booth" (renting pillows and blankets to attendees at Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Elizabethan Theatre). Fifty percent of the net proceeds are returned to OSF to support the FAIR program , bringing women to Ashland with for fellowships, assistantships, internships and residencies. Sharifa Johka, who manages the program, and Elisa Bocanegra, a current beneficiary who is being mentored by Cynthia Rider, OSF executive director, in skills necessary to run a theater company, spoke briefly about the value of the program and recognized the role of Soroptomists in funding it. Chris Dodson and Barb Oldfield, co-chairs of the Education Committee, then presented he 2014-15 scholarship winners. Kailee Scott-Unger and Lilana Wurfl receieved the Vicki Smith Memorial Scholarship, awarded to female seniors at Ashland High School for demonstrated academic accomplishment and social responsibility. Kailee thanked the group for supporting her as she starts a nursing program. (Nursing, as it turned out, was a theme in the event.) Liliana, who was described as showing “unapologetic focus” in pursuing her goals, expressed her special pleasure in receiving an award named for Vicki Smith, who could serve as a model of female achievement and contribution to the community. Teresa Lehman received the award for a senior entering a vocational or technical program. She will also be pursuing a nursing degree — and continuing the softball that earned her an athletic scholarship to her school. Soroptomists also has a scholarship specifically for women athletes at SOU to recognize and support physical fitness among young women. This year’s winners were both softball players who received high praise from their coach for leadership, hard work and support for teammates: Sydney White and Alexa Gonzalez. In a slight variant on the nursing theme, Alexa said that she planned to go on to graduate school in physical therapy. Mel Bailey and Signa Fischer, co-chairs of the Economic and Social Development Committee, presented the remaining awards. The SOU Grant-in-Aid, which goes to an SOU student who exells scholastically, contributes to the community and plans to enter a profession of service, went to Amy Waters. Amy is a returning student who manages to juggle multiple roles and obligations. The mother of a 3-year-old, she does paid and unpaid work as the costume manage at the Medford Historical Society, works as an assistant with the Native American Studies Program, commutes from Grants Pass and still has a 3.79 grade-point average. She plans to go on to get a major in history and, as she noted in her acceptance, has a particular interest in studying the history of women and indigenous peoples. The final award presented was the Live Your Dream Award. This is a program of Soroptomists International of the Americas. Winners of local awards can then compete for additional recognition at regional and higher levels. The two Ashland awardees were Tani Becker and Marina Hartnell. Tani is a single parent of four children, all of whom survived domestic violence with the the help of the Women’s Crisis Center. She is now both working full time and attending Rogue Community College full-time, planning to transfer to SOU where she can obtain a degree in Human Services. She describes the scholarship as helping to make it possible for her to give back and help other women and children — “my passion, my heart and soul’s calling,” as she put it. Marina is the final nursing student-awardee of the day. In her first year at SOU, she has a passion for women’s health and for helping others to meet their health goals. The look of pride in her son Raphael’s face when she received the award was a highlight for this attendee. For more information about Soroptomists, including their other projects to promote “Strong Girls, Strong Women,” call  club President Kathy Garrett-Canape at 541-482-6288 or email [email protected]. By Mary I. Coombs DailyTidings.com By Mary I. Coombs Posted May. 14, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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