Scholarship and Community Giving programs underway
By Mary Rea
Publicity chair
One of the most rewarding aspects of the Scripps Ranch Women’s Club (SRWC) mission is granting college scholarships to high school senior girls. Each year, we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to provide educational funding and show our support for these exceptional young women. It is both an honor and a privilege to help empower high-achieving, future leaders in our community. We often give multiple scholarships each year depending on the qualifications of our candidates.
This year, similar to the past, we are offering two separate scholarship programs: The SRWC General Scholarship and the Kimbra Sellers Business Scholarship.
The application period for both programs is Feb. 1 to April 11. Interviews by our respective Scholarship Committees will take place in May and awards will be made on May 21 at the Scripps Ranch High School Awards Ceremony. As a tribute to our Scholarship recipients, the Women’s Club will host the annual Scholarship Winners and Mother’s Luncheon on June 14.
SRWC General Scholarship
This year, the SRWC Scholarship Committee is being led by our two co-chairs, Jeanette Bossi and Annette Stewart. According to Jeanette, “The Scripps Ranch Women’s Club is honored to award annual scholarships to deserving young women from our community. We are continually inspired by the talent and ambition of Scripps Ranch students and are proud to support their journey as they embark on college and the next exciting chapter of their lives.”
The application process is open to female seniors at Scripps Ranch High School who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. The criteria also include demonstrating meaningful personal contributions to the community and active involvement in school organizations or community service. A completed application package includes the SRWC Scholarship Application, a high school transcript, one letter of recommendation related to the candidate’s community service, and a personal essay (up to two pages) discussing their unique attributes, achievements, goals and future career objectives.
The Scripps Ranch Women’s Club website at srwomensclub.org/our-community-support provides specific eligibility requirements as well as on-line forms, including an electronic application. The Scripps Ranch High School Counselling Office also provides another source for eligibility information and applications.
Kimbra Sellers Business Scholarship
The Women’s Club also offers the Kimbra Sellers Business Scholarship, created in honor of one of our past presidents. In tribute to Kimbra, her husband, Brian Sampson, has established a $1,000 scholarship for the fifth consecutive year, which will be awarded to a senior female student planning to pursue a career in a business-related field.
SRWC member Lynn Parke is looking forward to chairing this committee for the fifth year. According to Lynn, “My committee members and I knew Kimbra Sellers, an active member of the SRWC and business community. As we have interviewed the finalists, we’ve enjoyed discovering similar traits of her entrepreneurial drive, focus and enthusiasm.”
Open to graduating Scripps Ranch residents or SRHS students, this scholarship is awarded to the candidate who best demonstrates how part-time work, school and/or volunteer experience has helped develop relevant skills and show personal initiative. To apply, applicants must be female graduating seniors from Scripps Ranch High School or a Scripps Ranch resident (92131 Zip Code) planning to pursue a career in a business-oriented field. Applicants should have part-time work or volunteer experience, a 3.0+ GPA, and plan to attend a 2- or 4-year college. A brief essay outlining their interest in business and highlighting relevant attributes is also required. The completed application includes the SRWC Kimbra Sellers Scholarship application, a high school transcript, and a personal essay (up to
400 words) detailing the applicant’s interest in business, along with any relevant skills gained through education, volunteer work or part-time experience.
Community Giving Program: Serving Our Community
The members of the Women’s Club are deeply committed to our motto, “Women United in Community Spirit.” With this guiding principle, we are inspired to make a lasting, positive difference in the Scripps Ranch community. The SRWC’s Vice President Beth Surrell is coordinating community donations this year.
According to Beth, “We are highlighting our annual community giving program by encouraging both Scripps Ranch schools and local non-profit organizations to apply for donations that will fund their projects, aimed at bettering the community and creating a lasting impact.”
Scripps Ranch schools are encouraged to apply for donations that can be allocated directly to core education areas, including math, language arts, history, science, reading, English, social studies, the arts, and STEM. Recent donations have funded STEM materials, reading resources, science lab supplies, and have supported our elementary schools, middle school, and Scripps Ranch High School.
Scripps Ranch non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply for donations that will enable them to deliver programs aimed at enhancing the lives of our community residents. Recent donations have supported organizations such as the Scripps Ranch Friends of the Library, Symphony in the Park, and the Scripps Ranch Theatre.
For detailed eligibility requirements and to access the online forms, including the electronic application, please visit the Women’s Club website at srwomensclub.org/our-community-support. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Beth Surrell at bsurrell@gmail.com.
If you are interested in our scholarship support, community initiatives and engaging social activities, please reach out to Membership Chair Lynn Parke at lparke@san.rr.com. You can also learn more by visiting our website at srwomensclub.org.