South Bay Women's Network

2020 Scholarship Winners

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South Bay Women’s Network (SBWN) awarded (11) scholarships of $500 each this year to Cuesta College re-entry female students. Potential recipients either submitted an application themselves or were nominated, and each was required to be a female Cuesta College re-entry student, defined in the educational system as one who attends college following an interruption in their post-high school education. Funds for these scholarships were raised through fundraising and generous donations from Corporate Sponsors and SBWN members.

To all of the wonderful women of the South Bay Women’s Network. Thank you so much for the scholarship. It will really help as I make this last push through nursing school. I look forward to being done, having a good job, being financially independent and being able to contribute to help others reach their goals!I think being introduced and included into this “Network” is also a gift. I look forward to getting to know you all better and to continue to empower women and to be inspired by other women. – Thank you, Katie Bariel

Thank you so much for the scholarship! I am very thankful for this honor. I am also thankful to be part of your network. – Love, Athena Sorensen

Not pictured:

Jade Bodine  – Soil Science
Lupe Ramos – Pre-Requisites RN program
Brittany (N) Shade – Accounting

Click on photos below for winner presentations.

Katie Bariel – RN Program
Crista Phillips – Early Childhood Education/Clinical Psychology
Rocio Torres  – Psychiatric Technician Program
Kelley Garcia – Pre-requisites for RN program
Blanca Rodriguez – Early Childhood Education
Alayna Earhart – Public Policy, Public Administration/Education
Dayra Lopez – Prerequisites for RN program
Athena Sorenson – Music Therapy

2019 Scholarship Winners

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Monica Randeen (SBWN), Valerie Perillo (SBWN), Melissa Zak, Brigette Daniels and her mom, Alisha Enns, Samantha Stanko, Deborah Howe (SBWN President), Gila Zak (SBWN Immediate Past President) Winners not pictured are:
Elizabeth Delgarza, Elizabeth Dingey, Morgan Morrison, Andrea Schultz

South Bay Women’s Network (SBWN) awarded (8) scholarships of $600 each this year to Cuesta College re-entry female students. Funds for these scholarships were raised through our Annual Summer Evening Scholarship Benefit, Pennies for College luncheon meeting fundraiser and generous donations from Corporate Sponsors and SBWN members.

June Luncheon Featured Speaker – Jill Stearns, President of Cuesta College

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SBWN Member and Guests at June Luncheon
  • SBWN President Deborah Howe
  • Dr. Jill Stears
  • Lovely setting at Stax Wine Bar & Bistro

On Tuesday, June 4th, 12 noon at Stax Wine Bar & Bistro in Morro Bay, Dr. Strearns shared with SBWN Members and guests the growing programs at Cuesta College to support the community and education.

SBWN has provided over $20,000 in scholarships for Cuesta College female re-entry students since 2002.

Planting the Seeds of Economic Transformation – Women Making Waves in Science and Tech Come to the North Coast

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The Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce will bring women in the West leading in the fields of Science, Innovation and Entrepreneurship together for a dynamic panel discussion on taking risks, surviving setbacks, and disrupting the status quo. The event will take place on Thursday, June 20th from 5:30pm to 8pm at the new, state-of-the-art “J Wing” Arts and Engineering Building at the Morro Bay High School. Admission includes an all-access tour of the facility and an open house with music, catering by local favorite Buttercup Bakery and Café and mocktails (non-alcoholic cocktails) served by one of the Central Coast’s fastest growing beverage companies, Yes Cocktail Company. Morro Bay City Council Member Dawn Addis, who is also a co-founder of Women’s March SLO, will open the event. 
The Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce explained the event concept originated during a meeting with Alla Weinstein, founder of Castle Wind Offshore. Ms. Weinstein, hailed a “maverick” for her work as an engineer and entrepreneur in the field of marine renewables in Europe, was the first to identify wind energy potential off of the Central Coast of California. The floating wind turbines engineered by Castle Wind, each one as tall as the Golden Gate Bridge, are cutting edge technology with the capacity to utilize existing onshore infrastructure and energy grid access. Ms. Weinstein has commissioned a new study on the state-wide economic impacts of offshore wind and will debut those findings to a local audience during her keynote address. 
According to Chamber CEO, Erica Crawford, the panel and event title organically evolved. “Morro Bay’s economy is tourism driven, but the need to diversify our economy is great if the community desires to sustain itself long-term,” she says, referencing the City of Morro Bay’s recent focus on fiscal and economic sustainability as a major city goal. “When I first saw this STEAM center at the high school, and knowing that the development of offshore wind energy could bring new tech and engineering jobs here, I could see the seeds for growth were there at J Wing.” Ms. Crawford wants to invite the region into Morro Bay to get inspired by the economic evolution that this center and these women represent. 
The impressive panel of women who will share their stories, strategies, and insight includes: 

Dr. Joye Carter, Forensic Pathologist for SLO County Sheriff/Coroner Division and the first black

Judy Mahan, Incubator Director for the Cal Poly Hothouse who oversees the development of new technology start-ups in San Luis Obispo

Laura Godfrey Zagar, Partner at Perkins Coie specializing in water, energy and infrastructure projects across the country and Board Director at Equality California Institute which brings the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in the state

Speakers are set to begin at 6:30pm with the panel discussion moderated by a regional leader in Workforce Development, Kathleen Marcove, President of Marcove Executive Training. 
Tickets are $10 and available at

my805tix.com/events/women-making-waves

or by calling the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce at 805-772-4467. Students at every level, from primary to college, are free. The Morro Bay High School is located at 235 Atascadero Road.