Award Program
Soroptimist International of Los Banos Awards Program
The Annual Women’s Recognition Banquet held in May is the highlight of the Club Year. Monetary Awards given to the winners are provided by the club’s local Fundraising Events. The Award winners attend the Banquet along with local club members and friends and family of the award winners. Local dignitaries also attend to honor the various winners with Official Proclamations.
Soroptimist International of Los Banos honors women and girls with the following awards:
Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women
The Live Your Dream Award is the Signature Project of Soroptimists worldwide. This award assists women who are heads of household to obtain the skills, training, and education necessary to improve their employment status and standard of living for themselves and their families. The local Club winner competes on the Sierra Pacific Region-level; Region winners compete further on the Soroptimist International of the America’s level.
Ruby Award: For Women Helping Women
Formerly the Soroptimist Making a Difference for Women Award, the Ruby Award recognizes and honors the first SIA Federation President, Ruby Lee Minar. A ruby is also a deep red gemstone associated with wisdom, importance, vitality, strength, vivacity, power, and love. All of these words embody the strong and compassionate women who are our award recipients. The Soroptimist Ruby Award honors women who have worked to improve the lives of women and girls through their professional and/or volunteer work.
June Erreca Award
This local club award is given to a high school girl student who demonstrates good citizenship and the spirit of volunteerism that reflects the life of our club’s Charter member, June Erreca. June was a past Governor of the Soroptimist Sierra Pacific Region, past Soroptimist International of America’s Federation Board member, and Past President of Soroptimist International of Los Banos(four times).
Scholarships for Graduating High School Seniors
Soroptimist believes the most effective way to empower women and girls is by providing them with access to education. Educated women and girls are far more likely to realize their potential. On the local level, our Los Banos club gives educational scholarships to graduating high school senior girls who have been accepted into a college or university. Scholarships in various monetary amounts are awarded to students graduating from each of our Los Banos High Schools.
The Benny Silva “S” Club Student of the Year Award
The Benny Silva “S” Club Student of the Year Awardees are chosen by the local “S” club Advisors. This award is named in honor of SI of Los Banos’ Charter member Amelia “Benny” Silva who had a great fondness for young people. Benny passed away in 2008. The Awardee must have fully participated in the “S” club during the year working on and organizing events while demonstrating good citizenship qualities. These Awardees and their parents or guardians are honored at a regular Soroptimist luncheon meeting where they give a short verbal resume of their goals, accomplishments, and family background. The student is given an Award Certificate and a small gift.
Friends of Soroptimist Award
This award honors individuals or groups who donate time and energy to support Soroptimist International of Los Banos fulfill their Mission Statement of: “improving the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world.”
Soroptimist of the Year Award
The winner of this Award has participated fully in support of the work of Soroptimist International of Los Banos. The member must be supportive of all club activities and demonstrate “team spirit.” Club members submit to the club Board names of members who have given above and beyond in local club service. From the names submitted the Board will choose one member to be honored as Soroptimist of the Year.
