Loomis Soroptimist Club empowers with educational scholarships

The Loomis Soroptimist club selected 2021 award winners last week for Soroptimist International Live Your Dream Award and Ruby Award as well as Del Oro Scholarship and teacher grants. Soroptimist International empowers women and girls worldwide through education to achieve their potential, realize their aspirations and lead their communities. Annamarie Coronel, a single mother of a four year old, won the $1,000 Loomis Basin Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award that celebrates women developing skills through education to prepare for careers that will support their families. The Auburn resident is enrolled in the Testlio Ignite software testing training program. "This program is giving me an opportunity to be able to provide a good life for myself and my daughter," Coronel said. According to Breanna Bowman from Acres of Hope, Coronel has also completed a leadership internship and several online business and accounting courses to prepare for employment. "Due to her hard work, determination and impeccable character, she was offered an opportunity to train alongside a mentor in the groundbreaking Testlio Ignite program," Bowman said. "She is extremely hardworking, responsible, compassionate, kind and determined." Marena Feickert, a Del Oro High School senior, won the Loomis Soroptimist Community Service Award of $1,000. Feickert demonstrated leadership in community service through raising Del Oro Pool funds, training a dog with Canine Companions for Independence, volunteering at UC Davis Hospital and participating in other local volunteer efforts. Her senior class project was to create a closet of interview appropriate clothes for Taylor House residents. Feickert's goal is to become a physical therapist. "My hope is to help kids with disabilities improve their everyday lives," Feickert said. Allison Gorman, Koinonia Group Home for Teens project coordinator, received the Soroptimist Ruby Award for Women Helping Women. Mechelle Bertolucci-Sanchez, a Loomis Soroptimist club member, has been working with Gorman for eight years to deliver the Soroptimist Live Your Dream career exploration program and other workshops. "Allison cares deeply for each teen and holds strong boundaries for the benefit of their safety and transformation," Bertolucci-Sanchez said. "She models authenticity by joining them in the classes. With her insight, club members have been able to make things happen to improve students' self-worth and their ability to dream of something bigger than their circumstances." The club also provided grants to Loomis Union School District teachers to enrich education programs. Bryn Bacharach and Janine Brizendine, Loomis Grammar School kindergarten teachers, will use their grant for headphones to help students with phonics and reading as well as math games while limiting distractions and allowing them to work independently. Christine Clark from Loomis Basin Charter School, will buy a loom for the library/makerspace used by kindergarten to eighth-grade students to develop their creativity and curiosity. Kim Dietz, a Loomis Basin Charter School seventh/eighth-grade teacher, will buy microscopes to encourage student inquiry and exploration of the sciences. Robyn Nugen, a Placer Elementary School fourth-grade teacher, requested funding for a standing desk and tall chair so she can more effectively and safely teach students in the classroom and through distance learning. Ana Reed, a Penryn Elementary School teacher, will buy readers for the Spanish program that can be used by all ages but are especially needed for middle school students. Laurel Sanders teaches English Language Arts for sixth to eighth grades at the Ophir STEAM Academy and wants to buy books. "I want to provide a classroom full of age-appropriate, current and classic novels, and series to awaken the inner reader in every child," Sanders said. The nonprofit Loomis Basin Soroptimist International Club fundraises throughout the year to support the awards program and welcomes donations. Learn more at https://www.soroptimistloomis.com/ and find Soroptimist Loomis Basin on Facebook and Instagram.