Live Your Dream 2017

Live Your Dream

You are eligible if you are a woman who:

• Provides the primary financial support for yourself    and your dependents. Dependents can include            children, spouse, partner, siblings and/or parents.

• Has financial need.

• Is enrolled in or has been accepted to

   a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program.

• Is motivated to achieve your education and career goals.

• Has not previously been the recipient of a Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity or Live Your Dream     Award.

• Does not have a graduate degree.

• Is not a Soroptimist member, an employee of Soroptimist International of the Americas or                    immediate family of either.

• Has a Social Security number or Tax ID number. (This is required for tax purposes and is only            necessary if you are a resident of the United States. You will not be asked to share this information    unless you have been given an award.)

Applications are being accepted through December 1st.  For application form, click here.  For references form, click here.Liv  If you need more information, send us an email with your name and phone number and we'll be quick to give you a call.  Money is currently available from a number of Skagit Valley clubs.  Please, please, please pass this information on to anyone who may be eligible.

Marge Thomas ( 5/20/42 - 7/20/17)

There are no words. Marge was the heart of Soroptimist International of Fidalgo Island. She was mentor, teacher, guru, friend, president and the true soul of altruism. She gave us vision. She gave us optimism. She selflessly tried to feed the world and was boundless in her generosity. She often gave us a needed kick in the butt. Saying "no" to Marge was a Herculean feat. She kept us going.

To say she will be missed is a horrific understatement. No one will come close to the place she holds in our hearts.

Link to Evans Obit here.

Northwestern Regional Conference

Our Co-Presidents Marge Thomas and Diane Goetz were proud to attend the 99th Northwestern Regional Conference in Vancouver, WA. 

Diane and other members who signed up for monthly giving to the Laurel Society.

Laurel Society gifts fund all of the Live Your Dream scholarships.

Anacortes School District Breakfast

Our Co-Presidents, Diane Goetz and Marge Thomas attended the breakfast celebration on April 26th thanking the Anacortes School District volunteers and service clubs for their contributions. This school year we raised the paddle for Rachel's Closet at our Hallowine Fundraiser and partnered with SI Anacortes to take middle school girls to a STEM conference as part of our "Dream It - Be It" goals.

New and Exciting

 New members Kathy Parker and Barbara Atterberry were inducted in April. We're so glad you've joined us!

Co-President Marge Thomas was nominated by SI Anacortes as a Woman Making a Difference.
Congratulations!

Soroptimist 16th Annual Area Awards Reception

Leslie Pazskowski

On March 28, 2017, Soroptimists gathered once again to honor the women in our communities who received awards through our signature program of Live Your Dream. Six area clubs representing Anacortes, Burlington, Fidalgo Island, La Conner, Mount Vernon and Sedro-Woolley presented their honorees with roses and certificates at the Swinomish Lodge Banquet room.

We were proud to present our award to Leslie Pazskowski who is pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering.  In addition, SIFI presented Jessie Arroyo-Sanchez with the Violet Richardson Award for a young woman in high school improving the world through volunteering and a Ruby Award to Sue Monaghan and Kristen Phillips, founders of A Simple Gesture. The Ruby Award honors women who have worked for the betterment of women and girls professionally or through volunteer efforts.

The Honorees

The members of Soroptimist International of Fidalgo Island salute all of the winners of these scholarships and awards and commend these women for striving to better themselves, our communities and the world.  Well done.

2017 Live Your Dream

Michelle Hawkins, Leslie Paszkowski, Trish Rodriguez

Soroptimist International of Fidalgo Island is proud to announce our 2017 Live Your Dream Winner, Leslie Paszkowski.

Leslie is not a stranger to Anacortes. She was married at an early age and as a young mother, her heart was always set on continually learning. She took correspondence courses and was certified in the fitness industry. She has been a tireless volunteer in our community working with many organizations including the American Red Cross, Anacortes School District, Reading is Fundamental, the Salvation Army and AmeriCorps, as well as coaching for Parks and Recreation.

Despite finding herself left alone with a son in Anacortes High School and two daughters still in college, Leslie continues to strive to better herself and is enrolled at Skagit Valley College working toward a degree in civil engineering. We are delighted to support Leslie in her continuing goal of a Civil Engineering Degree and wish her luck at the Regional and National level.