Denise Rockenstein — Staff reporter
HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE — Butterflies and transformation was the theme Thursday when the Soroptimist International of Clear Lake hosted its annual Women”s Opportunity Awards (WOA) luncheon in Hidden Valley Lake.
“The butterfly is a reminder to make changes when the opportunity arises,” Arlene Grime, club president, said. “The butterfly is a symbol of transformation because of its impressive process of metamorphosis.”
Opportunities and changes that better the lives of women and girls is the sole purpose of the club, which boasts a network of nearly 1,500 clubs with 100,000 members in 19 countries worldwide. The Women”s Opportunity Awards are the club”s major service project providing area women with monetary grants to assist them with the expenses of furthering their educations. The program also includes the Violet Richardson Award, which is presented to a young girl who voluntarily contributes significantly to the betterment of her community and the Ruby Award, which is presented to a woman who helps other women and makes a difference in the world.
This year”s top award recipient of a $1,500 grant was Neala Ellsworth, of Clearlake. Ellsworth is a single mother of four currently working toward her Associate”s degree at Yuba College. She plans to transfer to Sonoma State to complete her Bachelor”s degree. She said working two jobs, raising children and going to school is hard but she is determined to reach her goals.
The second place grant of $1,000 was presented to Pearlina Drummond, of Clearlake. She is the single mother of an 8-year-old son. She is also attending classes at Yuba College. Her goal is to become a drug and alcohol counselor. She is currently completing an internship as a counselor at Hilltop Recovery for women. Drummond anticipates earning her Chemical Dependency Certificate this fall and her Associate”s degree in 2013.
The final WOA grant, in the amount of $500, was received by Elisha Patterson, of Clearlake Oaks. She is the mother of two and attends Yuba College as well. She said she earned her GED last year and is working toward her Associate”s degree with plans to enter the field of law enforcement.
Kelseyville High School senior Becca Brooks was presented with the club”s Violet Richardson Award, named after the founder of the international organization. The award, which includes a $500 grant, recognizes a young girl between the ages of 14 and 17, who voluntarily contributes to the betterment of her community. Brooks said her community service project began in sixth grade when she began making lanyard key chains of pink breast cancer awareness ribbons. She said all proceeds from the sale of the $5 items go directly to Sponsoring Survivorship, to which she has donated more than $2,000.
“It”s been really great to make a difference in the great community we have here,” Brooks said.
Dona Gaddis-Wolf, founder region governor-elect, who was present for the awards luncheon, announced that Brooks was selected as the District 3 winner and will move onto the founder region competition where she has a chance at additional monetary awards.
The club”s Ruby Award was presented to Lori Carter Runyon, who is executive director of Hilltop Recovery Services, serving both men and women. She received a ruby-colored paper weight. “I love seeing people given the opportunities that I was given to get my life together,” she said. “You set your goals, anything is possible.”
Gaddis-Wolf inducted new members into the club. “One of the best parts of being founder region governor-elect is visiting other clubs and welcoming new members,” she said. “By joining this organization, you may have saved a woman today. Thank you for joining this worldwide organization dedicated to helping women and girls in you local community and around the world.”
New members welcomed into the club at the luncheon included Mary Benson, Lana Gould and Mary Ann Kenney.
