Chico branch of AAUW awards scholarships
The Chico Branch of the American Association of University Women has announced the recipients of the Association’s 2020 scholarships to four young women who graduated this spring from area high schools.
Approximately $12,000 in scholarship money was awarded to graduates attending college in the fall. Receiving awards for the 2020 fall semester are: Jessica Treadwell, Pleasant Valley High School, the Jackson-Heron Family Scholarship; Darby Rei, Chico High School, the Sydney Stewart Memorial Scholarship; Lilah Klein, Chico High School, the Jana Lawton Honorary Scholarship; and Alexa Miramontes, Pleasant Valley High School, the AAUW Chico Scholarship.
Treadwell will be attending Chico State in the fall majoring in nursing. Rei will also study nursing at the University of Utah. Klein plans to attend UC Berkeley and major in political science. Miramontes will attend Butte College and pursue studies in the field of communications.
Ruth Berger of the AAUW Scholarship Committee announced the recipients to the members and remarked on how proud the members are of the achievements of these four accomplished young women and how delighted they all are to be recognizing these women this particular year as the group celebrates its 100th anniversary. She expressed the appreciation of the committee and the membership to the Chico Community Scholarship Association, which helps each year in selecting the most qualified recipients.
The mission of AAUW is to advance opportunities for women and girls through research, education and advocacy. The Chico branch provides scholarship for local high school girls, sends girls entering eighth grade to their Tech Trek summer STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
Camp each year, and raises funds for postgraduate fellowships and grants through the State and National AAUW organizations. The group also presents programs of interest to the community, and the members share in social and educational activities.
Some of the activities of the Chico AAUW raise funds for these scholarships and various other projects. In summer 2019 the Scholarship Committee hosted a High Tea at the Diamond Hotel with all proceeds going to the Scholarship Fund. Fancy dress and big hats were part of the fun, and some of the scholarship recipients from 2019 were present as guests of the members.
Anyone interested in learning more about AAUW can contact President Jan Britton at BrittonADV@ comcast.net or Membership Chair Betty Lusina at bettylsn@aol.com.