Dominique Rodriguez, left, and Alba Hernandez received the scholarship award. (Courtesy photo)

Soroptimist clubs hold awards ceremony

The Soroptimist International of Lodi and Lodi Sunrise clubs held a combined evening awards ceremony reception at the Lodi Public Library on April 29th to honor their annual award recipients.

The Women’s Opportunity Award is the Soroptimist signature service project offering cash grants to women who are the primary income earners for their families. They must be attending or have been accepted into a vocational and/or skills training program or undergraduate degree program to upgrade their employment status.

This award was presented to Jamie Hopp and Lisa Hernandez. Both women have overcome devastating circumstances in their personal lives and are working toward degrees to improve their lives and the lives of their children.

Jamie is attending Humphreys College to become a court reporter and Lisa attends Lodi Technical Academy and will attend Delta College in the fall to work toward a bachelors degree in the computer field.

The Violet Richardson Award, named for Soroptimist’s first president, recognizes young women between the ages of 14 and 17 who make the world a better place through volunteer efforts.

Heidi Hathorn, a student at Jim Elliot Christian High School, received the award for her efforts to reach out to the less fortunate through her work with the San Joaquin County homeless, cancer kids, special olympics, pregnancy help center, Ashley Home for the Elderly and underprivileged and deaf children in Mexico.

Lee Kraljev, a senior at Tokay High School, was recognized for her outstanding work at the Lodi Youth Commission, the Piranha Swim Team, 180 Teen Center and the Anti-Genocide Club at Tokay.

Both clubs presented the Making a Difference Award which recognizes women in the community who are making extraordinary differences in the lives of other women and girls.

Recipients of this award were Letha Pinnell, who has contributed many hours to Lodi House and Nancy Watts, who has been a volunteer at the Lodi branch of the Women’s Center of San Joaquin County for nearly a decade.

Soroptimist of Lodi awarded scholarships to two high school students who have demonstrated outstanding scholastic and community involvement achievements. The awardees were Dominique Rodriguez from Tokay High School and Alba Hernandez from Lodi High School.

Soroptimist’s mission is to improve the lives of women and girls in our local community and throughout the world; and these awards are a recognition of women whose efforts help achieve these goals.

If you are interested in additional information regarding Soroptimist, call Bobbe Xenos at 948-8037 or Betsy Peterson at 745-4356.

Jamie Hopp, left and Lisa Hernandez received the Women’s Opportunity Award. (Courtesy photo)

Heidi Hathorn, left, and Lee Kraljev display their Violet Richardson awards.

Jean May, left, accept the Making a Difference award for Nancy Watts. Letha Pinnell also received the award. (Courtesy photo)