Present local women with $27, 000 in cash grants for educational and personal expenses
KINGMAN – Soroptimist International (SI) of Kingman, a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment, will present 12 awards totaling $27,000 to local women and girls during an Award Ceremony at St. John’S United Methodist Church.
The awards are provided to three distinct award categories of women seeking education.
1. The Live Your Dream Award provides women who serve as the primary financial providers for their families with financial resources to offset costs associated with their effort to attain an undergraduate degree or vocational training. Applications are accepted online at sikingman.com August 15 to November 15 each year. Judging takes place in December.
Tessie Garner, a single parent of two who is working and attending college to obtain a degree in accounting was selected as this year’s first place winner. She receives $2,500 and will now advance to the Soroptimist Golden West Region level, where she could receive additional funds. Winners at the regional level advance to International where three finalists are selected. Amber Christie received a second place award from SI Kingman and Heidi Stewart received a third place award.
2. Dream It Be It High School Education Awards: is a transformative scholarship program dedicated to empowering female students as they pursue their dreams in higher education. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our community sponsors, we are able to provide comprehensive financial support to our most deserving students. Every year, one first-place recipient receives $2,500 in their first year of undergraduate study, plus $2,000 for each of the remaining three years, (a total of $8,500) allowing SI to ensure consistent support throughout their entire four-year program. Every year SI will continue to fund three ongoing education awards at $2,000 each.
This year’s recipient is Heather Varona from Kingman Academy of Learning. Second place winner Gracie Forsee (KAOL) and third place winner Mya Mazon (LWHS) received one time awards of $2,000 and $1,000. A fourth place winner was selected and unable to attend the award ceremony. She will be announced at her high school award night. Lauren Riley Finch (LWHS) received a onetime Volunteer award. Samantha Marshall (LWHS) received the S Club Award. This year a Nursing award was given in honor of former SI Kingman member JoAnne Price. The winner was unable to attend the ceremonies and will be announced at her high school award night.
Applications are open all year and close in early April each year. They can be accessed on the club website (above) or through the counselors at KHS, LWHS and KAOL High School.
3. DK Rose Award: This award was established through a grant from the Donna Kowalske family trust. This award seeks to assist a woman who does not otherwise qualify for Live Your Dream or Dream It Be It High School Education Awards. She may or may not have dependents, may be single or married and must be enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate of vocational degree program. Applications are accepted online sikingman.com beginning February first until mid-March annually.
This year, four women were selected to receive this honor. Stephanie Firestone who is the Director of Bands, Choir & Guitar at Kingman High School and is currently pursuing her Master of Music Education degree from VanderCook College of Music was awarded first place of $2,500. Second place was Courtney Pool, third place Caitlynn Stevenson and fourth place Alexa Brooks.
Soroptimist International of Kingman President Amie Wade invited anyone interested in joining the mission to help women and girls achieve economic empowerment through education and training to visit them and donate on our website sikingman.com.
See more community stories like this by clicking here.
