Women and Girls Urged to Compete for Local Soroptimist Education Awards

October 22, 2013: This year’s competition among local students for two cash awards has begun, a local volunteer organization for business and professional women announces.  The group, Soroptimist International of Upper Montgomery County (SIUMC), supports projects to improve the lives of women and girls in the local area   and throughout the world.

The SIUMC awards for 2013-2014 are:

• Women’s Opportunity Award – This award of $1000 is made to a woman who is the primary earner for her family who needs financial assistance to attend college or professional trade school.  Applications can be obtained at www.si-umc.com.  Deadline for receipt of complete applications by SIUMC is December 15, 2013.

• Violet Richardson Award -- High school girls, ages 14-17, are invited to apply for this award which recognizes their superior volunteer efforts in a community service project.  The winner will receive a cash award of $500 and a $250 donation to the community service program for which the volunteer worked.  Interested students can obtain an application from www.si-umc.com or their Career Center at Gaithersburg, Quince Orchard, Seneca Valley, Watkins Mill, Clarksburg, Poolesville, Northwest and Damascus High Schools.  Deadline for receipt of applications by SIUMC is December 1, 2013.

For further information about SIUMC, contact Johann Dretchen (jdsd1021@gmail.com). 

“Special projects like these annual awards are made possible by our members’ hard work to raise funds throughout the year,” says SIUMC President Johann Dretchen. “We feel the best investment for our money is in promoting further education and accomplishment by the young women in our community.”