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President Diane Smith noted that the scholarships are need-based and the need keeps growing. “It is only through the generosity of our members, their families and our partners within the community that we continue to increase the funding of our education programs in an effort to meet the demand. Overall, we provided $19,250 in scholarship funding this year.”
SIIR presented five financial grants from their mission-centric Soroptimist Dream Programs which were underwritten by the club and the Jerry Alexander Memorial Fund. Three of these were given to college-bound, high school graduates who attended the prerequisite 2023 Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls Conference (DIBI).
The others were presented to two single mothers who are enrolled in nursing programs at Bucks County Community College. Kahkiza Ibragimova received the Ginny Cooper Live Your Dream Award.
Jenna Nalywinski was presented with two Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards, one from SIIR and the other from the Soroptimist North Atlantic Region. In receiving the award, Jenna said, “With a nursing degree, I can continue to work in drug and alcohol treatment, a field I love, and provide a good life for my daughter.”
An additional nine students were presented with club scholarship awards. Four high school graduates received SIIR Scholarship Awards for their first year of college.
Continuing Education Scholarship Awards were given to five other college students, some of whom have been supported through all four years of their college undergraduate studies. These awards were underwritten by SIIR, the Greg Duffy Memorial Fund and the Frances E. Snow Memorial Fund. “SIIR offers scholarships to two- and four-year colleges as well as to schools offering certificate/licensing programs. We know one size does not fit all,” said Charlene Curtis, scholarship committee co-chair.
SIIR’s Community Partner of the Year Award was accepted by Marguerite Brambani for Jack Lyons, owner of Neshaminy Electrical Contractors, Inc., for his continuous support and generosity in making a difference in the lives of women and girls.
Marguerite is his assistant. Soroptimist International of Indian Rock, Inc. is a chapter of the women’s organization, Soroptimist International of the Americas, whose members volunteer to improve the lives of women and girls through access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment.
For more information about Soroptimist awards, programs and membership, visit www.investindreams.org.
PHOTO CAPS:
- Jenna Nalywinski plans to use the Live Your Dream Grants she received from SIIR and NAR to continue her nursing studies.
- Kahkiza Ibragimova will use her Ginny Cooper Live Your Dream Grant to complete her nursing program this year.
- Marguerite Brambani accepts the Partner of the Year Award for Jack Lyons from Gina Fuscellaro, SIIR fundraising chair.