Local Soroptimist Club Presents Education Awards to 14 Women

Soroptimist International of Indian Rock, Inc. (SIIR) recently presented 14 need-based educational grants to local college-bound women—some of whom will be supported through all four years of their college careers.

“We are so fortunate to benefit from the generosity of members, their families and the greater community. Because of them we have been able to expand support to deserving students beyond the first year. As our funding expands so does our service,” said SIIR president Diane Smith at the awards ceremony held on June 1, 2022 at Spring Mill Country Club.

SIIR presented two grants from their mission-centric Soroptimist Dream Program. One was given to University of Delaware bound Casey Schaeffer who attended the prerequisite Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls Conference. The Live Your Dream: Education and Training Award for Women grant was presented to Jessica Mariano, a single mother studying Criminal Justice at Bucks County Community College. In receiving the award, she said, “I am so grateful that I can now realize my dream of becoming a probation officer trained to help those with addiction issues seek treatment and better their lives.”

An additional 12 students were presented with scholarship awards. Continuing Education Scholarship awards were given to five college students, some of which will be supported through all four years of their undergraduate studies. Seven high school graduates received SIIR Scholarship Awards for their first year of college. Awards were underwritten by SIIR, the Kathleen and Glenn Meyer Memorial Fund, Gregg Duffy Scholarship Fund and Frances Snow Memorial Fund.

The 2022 Community Partner of the Year award was presented to Carol A. Zemnick, G.I.A. Certified Custom Jeweler, in recognition of her long partnership with SIIR.

Soroptimist International of Indian Rock, Inc. is a chapter of the global women’s organization, Soroptimist International of the Americas, whose members volunteer to provide women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. For more information about Soroptimist, visit www.investindreams.org or www.soroptimist.org.