Proceeds come from annual Wildflower Run, which this year saw 1,166 participants
Published in the June 10-23, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Staff Report
AAUW high school scholarships recipients: Estephanie Coreas, Christine Emuka, Jessica Wong, and Diana Fuentes.
Each spring the Morgan Hill branch of American Association of University Women awards scholarships to local high school and college women. The proceeds come from AAUW-Morgan Hill’s annual Wildflower Run event, which this year had a total of 1,166 participants.
The AAUW members believe supporting women going to college is absolutely the best investment it can make to ensure a future of competent women leaders, said Margaret McCann, an organizer of the scholarship program. In addition to giving financial support, AAUW provides a community of professional women who become role models, mentors and friends and who will be their support system as they continue their educational path.
“The attributes that the scholarship committee looks for in the women we consider for our scholarships are ones of strong leadership, self-sufficiency and positive attitude,” she said. “We critically look at how they have dealt with difficult situations, contributed to their community and taken on responsibilities. We are seeking out women who will demand their right to excel in whatever career they choose.”
This year five high school graduates received $1000 scholarships:
Diana Fuentes from Live Oak HS will be studying sociology and deaf studies at SJSU; Christine Emuka from Live Oak HS will be majoring in pre-med at UC San Diego; Estephanie Coreas from Live Oak HS will be attending University of Iowa as a biology major; Jessica Wong from Sobrato HS will be majoring in computer science at UC Irvine; Claire Lewis from Sobrato HS will be attending UC Santa Cruz as a chemistry major.
Four women now attending Gavilan College each received $1000 scholarships:
Naromy Rodriquez is transferring to SJSU this fall to pursue a teaching credential; Tamie Bittle intends to enter Lincoln Law School to become a child advocate; Jade Cortez has an LVN degree and is working toward becoming a registered nurse; Lydia Riojas is transferring to SJSU this fall to study business with an emphasis in accounting.
Anika Mathewson, also at Gavilan College, received a $500 scholarship. She is studying psychology and plans to transfer to Cal State, Monterey Bay.
AAUW-Morgan Hill also gives Keeping in Touch grants to former local high school and community college AAUW scholarship winners to provide mentoring and ongoing financial support. Ten winners each received $500 scholarships:
Mireya Avila, majoring in politics at UC Santa Cruz; Alejandra Cruz, studying sociology at UC Santa Barbara; Madeline Duran, at Gavilan College with plans to transfer to SJSU; Amy McBirney, starting veterinary school at UC Davis; Whitney Waller, studying at Sacramento State; Marni Braverman, preparing to transfer to SJSU to obtain her teaching credential; Mindy Castillo, pursuing an undergraduate degree in computer technology; Tamara Chukes, studying business and working at Apple; Veronica Dimas, majoring in business.
For more information about the Morgan Hill branch of the AAUW visit www.aauw-morganhill.org.
