In March 2023, our club lost a special friend and member, Carole Blake. Carole had been a member of our club for over 28 years and was dedicated to Soroptimist and its mission. She was also passionate about supporting students enrolled in the Exotic Animal Training and Management Program (EATM) at a local college that worked with America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College.
Carole’s family provided a place to stay for several students throughout the years, who often had limited financial support to cover their basic living and medical expenses. Since they had to spend 24/7 on the activities of the program and attending classes, most of these students were unable to work.
To honor Carole’s memory and support our Big Goal Accelerator Project, we created the Carole Blake Memorial Scholarship. With the memorial donations we received in memory of Carole, along with funds earmarked by our club, we were able to create a cash award of $1,500.
A committee of four members worked together to create the application and basic requirements to qualify for the scholarship. We coordinated with the college representatives to create a smooth application process. We also worked with the Moorpark College Foundation to post our scholarship information on their website under the “Other Scholarship Opportunities” link and created a flyer that was distributed by the Financial Aid Coordinator to the counselors in the EATM Program to be shared with qualified students.
On the application due date, we received an application, reference letter, school transcripts, and an essay from a qualified student. The essay addressed the following questions:
- What obstacles have made access to education more difficult for you?
- What are your short-term and long-term goals?
- What excites and motivates you?
- What makes you deserving of this scholarship?
The committee members reviewed the submitted documents and found the applicant to be extremely qualified for our cash grant that will assist her while she obtains her educational goals that will lead to economic empowerment.
Congratulations to Hennessy Munoz.
We are proud to support the next generation of students in Carole’s memory.
SOROPTIMIST CAROLE BLAKE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
DESCRIPTION
Soroptimist International of Conejo Valley is seeking a deserving woman/girl who wants to further her education and/or professional skills at Moorpark College in the field of Exotic Animal Training and Management (EATM) or the Animal Care and Training Program (ANCT). This is a one-time Scholarship offered to women and girls who face obstacles to accessing education (which includes college/technical school or job training).
The amount of this cash grant is $1,500.00.
No immediate family members of the Soroptimist Club are eligible for this award.
BASIC CRITERIA
- Graduating High School Senior, Undergraduate or Graduate Student.
- Must be a resident of Ventura County.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Legal Resident.
- Must be enrolled at Moorpark College as a full-time student. (12 or more units)
- Demonstrate a financial need
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- A minimum GPA of 2.7 is required from a secondary or post-secondary school.
(To be verified by transcript or counselor certification)
- One reference is required from a teacher, counselor, employer, or community leader.
PLEASE SUBMIT A SHORT ESSAY ANSWERING THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
*Indicates required response
- What OBSTACLES have made access to education more difficult? *
- What are your goals? (Short term & long term) *
- What excites and motivates you? *
- What makes you deserving of this Scholarship? *
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This form and its associated attachments must be submitted
no later than Monday, April 22, 2024, by 5:oo p.m.
Late applicants will not be considered. All forms and attachments must be
submitted as PDF only – any other way will not be considered.
Oral interviews will occur during the week of May 6, 2024.
For questions related to your application, please contact Jacque Turner by email at: jturnerlockwood@gmail.com
CLICK APPLICATION LINK BELOW: