Lisa Stilson and Inna Shames
Let’s “spring” into action and mark your calendars now for The Women of Quail Creek’s (TWOQC) Scholarship Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, May 14, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Madera clubhouse ballroom. Doors open at 6 p.m. The public is welcome, and no reservation is necessary.
TWOQC is a charitable organization that has been doing very good work in our community for many years, including food and clothing drives and support for veterans, teachers, and YOTO (Youth on Their Own). But their major charitable endeavor is the awarding of scholarships to local graduating high school senior women, as well as to women over 21 living in Pima or Santa Cruz Counties and hoping to improve their lives through further education—the AWE (Advancing Women through Education) Program.
This has been another banner year for TWOQC’s Scholarship Committee, because since TWOQC received its 501(c)(3) designation in 2021, there has been an influx of scholarship funding support, including the highly successful Matching Fund Campaign (2 to 1), named scholarships, individual donations, and, of course, the ever-popular Javelina Hoedown fundraiser event in October. As a result, the scholarship funds available for high school women seniors and AWE recipients will provide as many as 27 scholarships of up to $3,500 each. And this year we will also be awarding second-year scholarships to high school women as we do for AWE women.
During March and April, the TWOQC Scholarship Committee is busy evaluating high school and AWE applications. After evaluation, interviews with selected applicants are conducted via Zoom. Recipients are notified, photos are taken, forms are completed, and then it’s time to celebrate!
The need for such educational support in Pima and Santa Cruz Counties is great, and the results speak for themselves. Prior recipients have gone on to graduate from schools such as Pima Community College, University of Arizona, Arizona State University, University of Northern Arizona, Pima Medical Institute, Brigham Young University, and Empire Beauty School, to name a few.
If you contributed to the scholarship fund, if you’re considering it, or if you just want to enjoy a heartwarming evening, then make a point of attending this year’s Awards Ceremony. You can meet the newest scholarship recipients and their families, hear their stories, and celebrate with us. You don’t want to miss this event, so bring your spouse, significant other, friends, and neighbors. All are welcome!
For more information about the event or the TWOQC Scholarship Program, please contact Director of Scholarships Deb Melton at [email protected].