Every year Soroptimist International of the Delta honors an exemplary 8th grade student from each of the middle schools in the Brentwood, Byron, Knightsen, and Oakley School Districts. SI of the Delta also gives out two high school awards to students in the Liberty Union High School District.
SI of the Delta is an organization that focuses on helping the community to empower women and girls. SI of the Delta recognizes these hard-working young people during a dinner held in their honor. This annual event was to take place the 21st of April, however, due to our current Shelter in Place requirement, this event had to be cancelled. During this unprecedented time, it could not be more important to recognize the achievements of the amazing youth in our community.
Each of the 8th Grade Soroptimist Citizenship Recipients are selected for their outstanding contributions to school, community activities, responsibility, peer and adult relationships, and willingness to help. Each Middle School is tasked with selecting one student that possesses these qualities. Students are nominated by a teacher and then an interview process is conducted, and a winner is selected. Each of the 8th grade recipients receive a certificate and $50.
We could not have the dinner this year, but we can recognize this year’s 8th Grade Outstanding Citizens of the Year:
Brentwood Union School District:
- Adams Middle School: Alejandro Cervantes
- Bristow Middle School: Annabelle Bruesewitz
- Edna Hill Middle School: Sandra Brown
Byron Union School District:
- Excelsior Middle School: Gianna Stephenson
Knightsen Elementary School District:
- Knightsen Elementary School: Gabriella Loren Pantoja
- Old River Elementary School: Alexys Grace Acosta
Oakley Union Elementary School District:
- Delta Vista Middle School: Mackenzie DeFrates
- O’Hara Park Middle School: Stella Esperanza Venegas
The SI of the Delta Legacy Award for $1000 is a speech contest for high school students. This year’s topic was Female Empowerment. Liberty High School Senior, Emily Eaton, was selected as the winner of the Legacy Award. She competed against 5 other amazing seniors. All of the speeches were inspiring, and it was very difficult for the judges to pick a winner.
If you would like to read Emily’s winning speech, you can find it on the SI of the Delta website at http://siofthedelta.com/
The Violet Richardson Award honors a young woman between the ages of 14 and 18 for her outstanding volunteer action. This year’s $1000 award recipient was Heritage High School Senior Camille Partain. Camile started a Red Cross Club at her school when she was a sophomore and has been involved with the Red Cross ever since. SI of the Delta also sent the Red Cross a check for $250 in Camile’s name.
On Behalf of the Brentwood, Byron, Knightsen, Liberty and Oakley School Communities, we congratulate these outstanding students for the difference they have made not only in their schools but also in the greater community.
