South Bay Women's Network

December Evening Meeting & Mixer – 2025 Scholarship Presentation

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We are once again kicking off the Holiday Season with a presentation of our 2025 Scholarship Winners. South Bay Women’s Network will be awarding Cuesta College Female Re-entry Student educational scholarships. We invite members and guests to celebrate winners of this year’s Scholarship Awards and learn more about the future of SBWN.

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 at the Garden Party Scholarship Benefit, “Thelma & Louise” Movie Night, Harvest Tea Party, Adopt-a-Poll and generous donations from SBWN members and our supporters.

Presentation meeting is being held at Brightside Pizza in Los Osos on Tuesday, December 2nd at 6:00pm. Brightside will be serving a variety of pizza’s, salads and soft drinks and is included in the meeting fee

This presentation is also membership drive! Welcome new members who support our mission Collaborative Women Serving Our Community! 

November Mixer – Sunset Tiki Boat Cruise

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NOTE different day! Our November Mixer is set for Wednesday, November 5th. We’re hosting a Sunset Tiki Cruise on the bay. The event runs from 4 PM to 5 PM. Join us for a beautiful sunset with friends.

We will tour Morro Bay on a guided harbor cruise. See local wildlife like sea otters and sea lions. You will also learn about the area’s history. Key sights include sea life, volcanic rock, and the power plant. A full cocktail bar serves 1950s-style Tiki drinks. Drinks are available for purchase.

Spots are limited to 20 people so book yours today. Tickets – $30

If you wish to pay day of the event please RSVP. No tickets will be sold at the mixer.

After the Tiki Cruise, everyone is welcome to join us at La Katrina Authentic Mexican Cocina (500 Embarcadero, Morro Bay). We’ll be gathering in the VIP room, and food will be available for purchase.

Harvest Tea Party on the Bay Fundraiser

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The Harvest Tea Party on the Bay Fundraiser happened Sunday, September 7th. Many guests wore stylish hats and lovely outfits. Members and guests savored a delicious tea menu that included finger sandwiches, sweet treats, bubbly wine, and various teas. We thank The Savory Palette for providing another successful tea menu. This was our final 2025 fundraiser, aimed to support the SBWN Cuesta College Female Reentry Student Scholarship. Our sincere thanks go to all who attended. We also thank those who gave money, gifts, or time. Your help made the event a success. It was truly appreciated.

2024 Scholarship Presentation & Recipients

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South Bay Women’s Network (SBWN) hosted its Scholarship Presentation at The Benedict in Morro Bay this year. Members, guests, and scholarship recipients came together to celebrate six Cuesta College female re-entry students, each receiving a $1,000 scholarship.

The scholarship recipients represent a diverse range of backgrounds and academic pursuits. Each woman has demonstrated exceptional drive, resilience, and dedication to her educational goals. The scholarships will provide vital financial support, helping them overcome educational barriers and navigate the challenges associated with pursuing higher education.

The funds for these scholarships came from this year’s Garden Party Scholarship Benefit and the Clue the Movie fundraiser at the Bay Theater. We also received generous support from the SLO Women’s Network, SBWN members, and other supporters. This important effort shows SBWN’s strong dedication to empowering women in the South Bay community and helping them succeed in their education.

Thank you to our Scholarship Interview Committee – Valerie Parillo and Denise Lowe.

Hello this is Emily Jauregui

I was a recipient of the South Bay Women’s Network scholarship in 2024. I am reaching out to thank you again for choosing me for the scholarship last year! I have fantastic news that I am overjoyed to share. This past May 2025, I graduated from Cuesta college with an Associate of Arts in History. I am so thrilled to inform you that I am about to start my bachelor in History at the University of California Berkeley! This is an extremely exciting opportunity for me and I am beyond thrilled to continue my journey in higher education. I hope you can recognize this as a testimony to the importance of local scholarship and the importance of opportunities that are specific to re-entry students. I am so beyond appreciative and honored to call myself a recipient of the 2024 SBWN Scholarship. I hope you enjoyed this update!

Best regards, 
Emily Jauregui

CLICK HERE FOR RECIPIENT VIDEOS

Scholarship recipients with SBWN Scholarship Chair Valerie Parillo
Alexis Aquia – Information Technology
Emily Jauregui – History with a special interest in Chicano/Indigenous Studies
Indira Ochoa – Psychiatric Technician
Samantha Morris – RN
Jamie Rose Annelle Villanueva – Addiction Treatment Studies
President Denise Lowe 

Not pictured: Tina Riley – RN

2024 Scholarship Recipients Videos

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Congratulations to our six winners: Alexis Aquia – Information Technology; Emily Jauregui – History with a special interest in Chicano/Indigenous Studies; Jamie Rose Annelle Villanueva – Addiction Treatment Studies; Samantha Morris – RN; Indira Ochoa – Psychiatric Technician; Tina Riley – RN

More photos and information

Tina Riley
Jamie Rose Annelle Villanueva
Samantha Morris

Spring Fling High Tea Fundraiser

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Stylish hats and elegant attire were plentiful at the Spring Fling High Tea Fundraiser, which took place on Sunday, April 21st. Attendees, including both members and guests, enjoyed a delightful high tea menu featuring finger sandwiches, soup, salad, tea party desserts, sparkling wine, and an assortment of teas. A special thank you goes to The Savory Palette for providing a wonderful meal. This was our first fundraiser of 2024, with the goal of raising funds for the SBWN Cuesta College Female Reentry Student Scholarship Program. The event successfully raised enough money for potentially two scholarships. Many thanks to all the wonderful women – and men – who joined us at the Spring Fling, as well as those who generously contributed their funds, gifts, and time to ensure the event’s success.

Thank you to Brittany Stewart from Limitless Skies: Custom Photobooth Services who kindly volunteered her time and photo booth for our event. Our guests had fun posing for their close-up shots. Brittany is our new social media intern.