Lisa Stilson
The Women of Quail Creek’s (TWOQC) Scholarship Awards Night on May 14 was a remarkable event that celebrated 27 women from Sahuarita, Walden Grove, and Rio Rico High Schools, as well as our AWE (Advancing Women through Education) recipients who are 21 or older and going back to school.
Each recipient was awarded $3,500 for tuition to the accredited educational institution of their choice. The Awards Night was held at the Madera clubhouse ballroom. Friends, families, Quail Creek residents, and the TWOQC Scholarship Committee were in attendance to watch each woman come up to the podium to receive a scholarship certificate, a single rose, and a beautiful pin made by Ginny Lockrem. A PowerPoint presentation with each recipient’s picture was displayed while the chairs of the high schools and AWE Scholarship Committees gave a brief synopsis of each woman. Following the program, all guests enjoyed iced tea, lemonade, and delicious cookies.
TWOQC is now a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a large group of dedicated, retired, professional women committed to helping deserving women in Pima and Santa Cruz Counties achieve their educational goals. This year a total of $94,500 in scholarships was awarded, and for the first time, high school recipients from last year were able to apply for a second year. As of this year, the TWOQC Scholarship Committee’s 10th anniversary, a total of 127 scholarships have been awarded, for a grand total of $341,200!
Quail Creek residents and the greater community should be extremely proud of their continued support of the Scholarship Program, enabling TWOQC to make each year better than the last. Funds for scholarships come from a variety of sources: individual donors, matching funds campaigns, and memorial Named Scholarships, as well as the ever-popular Javelina Hoedown (our annual fundraiser). Green Valley, Sahuarita, Tubac, and even Tucson merchants continue to generously donate gift cards and silent auction items to ensure the Hoedown’s success.
The committee is already planning for next year. The Hoedown is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 23, and the next Awards Ceremony will be in May of 2026. Plan now and don’t miss out! Attendees always go home feeling proud and happy!
For more information about TWOQC’s Scholarship Program, contact Deb Melton, Director of Scholarships, at scholarships@womenqc.com or go to womenqc.com/scholarship-information.