South Bay Women's Network

2023 Scholarship Awards Presentation

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South Bay Women’s Network (SBWN) awarded (11) scholarships of $500 each this year to Cuesta College female students. Funds for these scholarships were raised through this year’s $40 for 40 Year Fundraiser, Garden Party Scholarship Benefit, a scholarship donation from SLO Women’s Network and generous donations from SBWN members and supporters. 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. 

Presentation of our Scholarship winners was held on December 5, 2023 at The Savory Palette Wine Bar in Morro Bay.

Thank you to our Scholarship Interview Committee, Valerie Parillo (pictured with all the recipients), Denise Lowe and Karen Wilson.

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS:
Angelica Aguirre/Psychiatric Technician
Micaela Baldwin-Granger/Criminal Justice
Cassandra Booker/Addiction Treatment Studies
Peyton Ellis/Nutrition & Dietetics (not pictured)
Norma Esguerra/Criminal Justice with Photography
Danielle Hernandez/Business Administration
Sandy Infante/LVN
Sophie Kinnebrew/Welding and Steel Cutting
Jennifer Kirby/RN
Jennifer Pina/ Psychiatric Technician
Alyssa Salazar/ AST Nutrition and Dietetics,AS AA in Communications

Angelica Aguirre
Micaela Baldwin-Granger
Cassandra Booker
Norma Esguerra
Danielle Hernandez
Danielle Hernandez
Sophie Kinnebrew
Jennifer Kirby
Jennifer Pina
Alyssa Salazar
Member, scholarship winners and guest enjoyed a warm meal.
2023 Board of Directors: Deborah Howe, VP; Denise Lowe, President; Dawn Rodden, Marketing Director; Ali DeRoche, Treasurer; Debbie Wacker, Secretary

Garden Party Evening Scholarship Benefit – May 24, 2023

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Join us again this year Wednesday, May 24th for our beautiful outdoor fundraiser being held at the display garden located at Sage Ecological Landscapes. The event will begin at 5:30 pm and will be catered by The Savory Palette, who are members of SBWN. Beer and non-alcoholic beverages will be available. Bring your chairs or a blanket to spread out on the meadow.

Sage Ecological Landscapes is located at 1301 Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos

All proceeds from tickets, raffle and plant sale will benefit the SBWN Cuesta College Adult Women Re-Entry Student Scholarship program. South Bay Women’s Network started the Scholarship Program in 2000 to benefit adult women re-entry students attending Cuesta College. Over the years, SBWN has presented 128 scholarships totaling approximately $48,500. Contribution to our program will help us provide even more scholarships for women who need our support in transforming their lives and the lives of their families.

Entry fee*: $25/members – $30/guests
*Entry fee donation includes one (1) ticket for an alcoholic beverage and (1) raffle ticket.

  • Catering by The Savory Palette
  • Wine poured by the Denise Lowe, Goddess of Wine
  • Raffle
  • Live Music provided by Les Beck
  • Plant Sale
  • Garden Games … and more!

Proceeds Benefit SBWN 2023 Scholarship Program.

GUEST TICKET

MEMBER TICKET

Scholarship Committee Co-Chair Viewpoint

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My name is Valerie Parillo and I am Co-Chair of the SBWN Scholarship Committee.  This program is important to me because of my own past experiences.  I wanted to be an RN.  I was married with children and it was my educational dream.  I went back to school and 8 years later I was an RN.  People often said to me that they would like to do something but it would take too long.  I thought, well, the time will go by anyway and I might as well keep moving towards my goal.  I took a little time off as I became a single Mom and then I wanted a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, so 3 years later I accomplished that.  Another break and my final goal was ready to be met.  Four years later, I had a Master’s Degree and was a Nurse Practitioner.  I went to school for 15 out of 23 years but at the end of that time, I had met my educational goals.  I received a number of scholarships and fellowships during my school years.  They meant so much to me.  Financially, it was helpful, but just as helpful was having someone believe in me.  A scholarship is a tangible expression of belief in someone.  So if you have a dream, just keep showing up and working on it and reach out for help when you need it.

2022 Scholarship Winners

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South Bay Women’s Network (SBWN) awarded (10) scholarships of $750 each this year to Cuesta College female students. Funds for these scholarships were raised through this year’s Halloween Party & Fundraiser, Garden Party Scholarship Benefit, a scholarship donation from SLO Women’s Network and generous donations from SBWN members and supporters. 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.

Presentation of our Scholarship winners was held on December 7, 2022 at The Savory Palette Wine Bar in Morro Bay.

Nicole Johnson
Mariah Olquin
Elena Ikeda
Ella Rutstein
Valerie Parillo with Amanda Earles
Scholarship Chair Valerie Parillo with Janet Brown
Thank you to Savory Palette for hosting our presentation
Scholarship Chair Valerie Parillo with Rebekah Bridgeman (L) and Marta Suarez (R).
(L) SBWN President Gila Zak thanked Pamela Baczuk, President of SLO Women’s Network for their donation of funds for an additional scholarship.(R) Scholarship Committee Denise Lowe and Valerie Parillo

Scholarship Winners

  • Rebekah Bridgeman – AS of Science, Animal Rehab
  • Janet Brown – RN prerequisites
  • Amanda Earles – RN Prerequisites
  • Cassandra Grinolds –  Human Development/Services, Addiction Studies
  • Elena Ikeda  Psychology/Child Development
  • Louise (Nicole) Johnson – Addiction Treatment Studies
  • Sonia Nevarez Lozano – Human Development/Services
  • Mariah Olquin – Library Technician Certification
  • Ella Rutstein – Paralegal with an eventual goal to be a lawyer
  • Marta Suarez – LVN Program
Elena Video
Marta Video
Mariah Video
Janet Video
Rebekah Video
Sonia Video

2022 Scholarship Presentation Meeting

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We are kicking off the Holiday Season with a presentation of our 2022 Scholarship Winners. South Bay Women’s Network will be awarding Cuesta College educational scholarships to 9 recipients. We invite members and guests to celebrate these wonderful women 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, A Wicked Halloween Party & Fundraiser, Adopt-a-Poll and generous donations from SBWN members.

Presentation meeting is being held at Savory Palette in Morro Bay on December 7th at 6:00pm. Meeting fee includes one free drink and appetizers – $20 members/$25 guests. Celebrate the start of the Holiday Season with a Christmas sweater!

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