South Bay Women's Network

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!

Garden Party-Summer Evening Scholarship Benefit

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Welcome Summer 2022! Join us for an outdoor event in the beautiful outdoor display garden located at Sage Ecological Landscapes. Bring your chairs or a blanket to spread out on the meadow.  A Scholarship Program donation of $20 includes entry to event, one (1) glass of wine and a packaged snack.

  • Wine & Water
  • Snacks
  • Prize Drawing
  • Garden Games

RSVP requested but not required. Proceeds Benefit SBWN 2022 Scholarship Program.

2021 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 the Garden Party Scholarship Benefit, SLO Witches Paddle and generous donations from SBWN members and supporters.

Presentation of our Scholarship winners was held on December 14, 2021 at The Savory Palette Wine Bar in Morro Bay.

Scholarship Winners

  • Alexis Ackell – Goal – Elementary School Teacher
  • Josephine Agoruah Goal – Psychology/Marriage Counseling
  • Angelita Castellanos – Goal – Nutrition/Culinary Arts
  • Marissa Hazelwood – Goal – LVN to RN
  • Ashlee Jenson – Goal – Science Teacher
  • Somer Maas – Goal – Guidance Counselor in Elementary School
  • Rachael Massey – Goal – Psychology
  • Courtney Niemeyer – Goal – LVN
  • Zoe Rice – Goal – Elementary School Teacher
  • Sjana Salazar – Goal – Working in Addiction Program
  • Veronica Williams – Goal – Opening Needs Based Daycare Center
Somer Maas Video
Marissa Hazelwood Video
Veronica Williams Video
Angelita Castellanos Video
Sjana Salazar video
Rachael Massey Video
Josephine Agoruah Video

Scholarship Program Gets Support from 2021 Witches Paddle

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This year the Annual Witches Paddle collected donations to support our Cuesta College female re-entry scholarships. Thank you to SBWN Event Director Gila Zak for coordinating this collaboration with Annette Ausseresses of Paddle SLO.

Beautiful witches Gila Zak and Annette Ausseresses

https://www.ksby.com/news/local-news/witches-swap-broomsticks-for-paddles-in-morro-bay?_amp=true

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