At scholarship night, Downey invests in its young people

Downey Soroptimists Dorothy Pemberton, Ellie Eck, Linda Haines, Mia Zimmerman, Blanca Rochin, Gigi Perez-Saab. Rebecca Reyes, Alejandra Gamez, and Petra Castillo. Petra has just been awarded her 10-year membership pin. (Photo by Lorine Parks)

DOWNEY — There’s something special about Soroptimist Scholarship Awards programs. It’s the smiles of encouragement on the faces of the Soroptimists, who love what they are doing. It’s the pride in the eyes of the family members, and the contagious excitement and joy that the award winners share.

On Thursday evening at the Downey Adult School auditorium, Soroptimist International of Downey put together a $16,000 basket of prizes, from their own fundraising efforts, and from two special community supporters, the family Sarofeem of The Olive Restobar, and Kaiser Foundation.

“Transformation is what Soroptimists hope will happen, when the dollars Soroptimist raises turn into scholarships,” said Linda Haines, president and a past governor of Camino Real Region 3. “They are the means for inspiring, educating, and empowering women and children in our community.”

Spotted in the gathering were Nancy Swenson, past president of the DUSD Board of Education, and Linda Saldana, also a newly named Woman of Distinction. More SI Downey members, and Cynthia Jarvis, the Camino Real Region Governor-elect from Alhambra also joined in.

Displayed at the podium was a “big” check for $16,000 to be given out during the evening. After SI Downey and principal of the Downey Adult School Blanca Rochin welcomed the guests, President Linda Haines invited everyone to the buffet. A special churros station was set up for dessert, and I chose mine rolled in cinnamon sugar

Rebekah Ruswick, Doctor of Education and Downey Unified School District’s Director of Special Education Services, gave the keynote speech, intended as advice for the awardees. The Soroptimist mission is to empower women, and transform the lives and status of women and girls and boys through education.

Attributes of Success was Dr. Rebekah’s theme, and she began with self-awareness and goalsetting. All the tuition fees in the world can’t help you if you don’t have perseverance, and productivity as your means to your goal. A strong support system helps, and there was evidence everywhere of that, with mother and fathers and sister and brothers there to cheer. Refining your coping skills is what puts a winner over the top, Rebekah said.

The night’s awards ranged from the Marvel Dodson Art Scholarship for a talented high school student, named for beloved member Marvel, to the Della Doyle Scholarship, given to a young woman continuing her education in a business-related field. Della Doyle was a founding member of Downey SI, and in the 1950’s, the first woman city clerk for the City of Downey.

The Marvel Dodson grants went to Damian Santoy, Downey High, and Marko Mihajiov, Warren. The Della Doyle prize went to Brianna McDowell.

The Family Sarofeem gave three scholarships each worth $500, which were allocated among the Vocational and Educational Achievements Awards.

Vocational Scholarship winner Ezra Jiminez from Columbus High School plans to use his prize to become a firefighter in Los Angeles. Elaine Abbigail Barraza from Downey High wants to be an elementary teacher. Other winners were Victoria Elaine Covarrubias, Ruby Garcia, and Fatima Melody Villalobos from Columbus; Jaqueline Lopez, Downey; and Indiel Motton, Warren.

The $10,000 donated by Kaiser Foundation will go to vocational nurse aspirants Susana, Hidor, Sophia Garcia, Nicole Mesa, Jennifer San, and Kyla Scranton.

Those choosing to be medical assistants were Ana Avila, Erika Castaneda, Esmeralda Cuevas, Liliana Roque, Sophia Vargas, and Katelyn Vuletich.

If only I could have interviewed all the happy winners, but at least I managed to talk with Kyla Scranton, who came with her mom. Kyla has chosen the long path to being a Registered Nurse, and that includes getting a four-year college degree.

So many happy faces, a happy occasion. The helping hand that was needed to step into the next stage of life. It’s exhilarating to be around so much hope and promise and solid support. I see great possibilities in the young people of this world.