Soroptimists to install officers, present awards

Becky Nickels will become the new president of Soroptimist International of Renton during the year-end installation and awards banquet 6 p.m. Tuesday at Merrill Gardens in Renton.

Becky Nickels will become the new president of Soroptimist International of Renton during the year-end installation and awards banquet 6 p.m. Tuesday at Merrill Gardens in Renton.

Festivities also mark the week’s wrap-up of Renton Soroptimists’ furnishing of a Vision House apartment to shelter families in need — from beds and sofas to kitchenware and bedding.

Judy Craig, outgoing president, also will install Jonette McGrew, vice president; Rose Guerrero, treasurer; Linda Asaif and Bonnie Walton, co-secretaries, and Barbara Downs and Cheryl Haskins, two-year and one-year board members.

Receiving the $1,500 Women’s Opportunity Award is Jewell Maunsell, enrolled at Antioch University, who expects to complete her bachelor’s of arts degree in liberal arts in September. Maunselll is a full-time chemical dependency counselor for a non-profit organization and carries a full-time class load. She is the sole support for four children and two adults, including one with a disability. Her dream is to earn a master’s degree in social work.

The winner of the Making a Difference for Women Award, a $500 grant to honor a community activist, is a secret until the meeting. The grant goes to the honoree’s selected charity.

Winner of the Violet Richardson Award of $500, recognizing youth citizenship, is Donelyn A. Rollolaza, a senior at Lindbergh High School. A member of the Lindbergh Key Club, she has volunteered many hours at Renton Clothes Bank, Vision House, the Salvation Army Renton Rotary Food Bank and bell ringing in the Salvation Army holiday drive.

The Renton Soroptimists’ $1,500 Rosalie Evans Scholarship will support a woman educator’s entry in a special mathematics institute.

For information on the banquet or membership in Soroptimist International of Renton, phone Judy Craig, 425-255-3210.