SI Vacaville Honors Award Winners

Soroptimist International of Vacaville presented a scholarship, several awards and celebrated others at a reception at the Vacaville Museum May 17.

Emma Abbate, a senior at Vanden High School, was this year’s S Club Scholarship winner.

She is ranked 13 out of 371 seniors and has a GPA of 4.38. She’s majoring in biology and plans to pursue a career in biotech or medicine.

Emma has been in the S Club since she was a sophomore and has served as president the last two years. She’s involved in the honor society, is a performer with the Vacaville Ballet, and has a heart for community service.

Soroptimists also used the evening to honor some of their own.

Past President Mary Dickey earned the prestigious Laurel Society award, which was presented by President Jackie DeVries. A donation of $1,000 in her name will support Soroptimist International’s Live Your Dream and Dream It, Be It programs.

Co-President Elect Sharon Marcacci earned the Fellowship award, which was presented by District II Fellowship Director Dana Holve. A donation of $1,000 in her name will support women who are in the final phase of their doctoral degrees.

Several longevity awards were announced, including two for 45 years of membership in the club, which went to Jan Marie Whitley and Jill Hunter. Other longevity awards were given to Donna Fox and Buff Fleming for 30 years; Stephanie Corrington for 25 years; and five-year pins for Jackie DeVries, Brooke Fox, Sharon Marcacci and Vicki Nash. In addition, Vicki and Sandy Esparza were presented with a “Dream Big for the Future,” award.

The club honored Kelli Germeraad with its first-ever “You Make a Difference Award,” for outstanding mentorship, support, encouragement and advocacy for young women through the American Legion Auxiliary’s Girls State program.

The event was also a time to celebrate Live Your Dream winners, who were announced earlier. They are Amada Madrigal, April Munguia, and Leslie Maldonado. Also honored was the club’s Violet Richardson Award winner for outstanding community service, which went to Caitlin Gonzales, a sophomore at Vacaville High  School who started a Women in STEM program, is active in the Team Buddy Program and the Vaca High Community Tutoring Program. She’s also Miss Teen Fiesta for 2021-22.

Soroptimist International of Vacaville was chartered in 1960 and continues to focus on its goal of making the world a better place for women and girls. The group meets weekly and welcomes new members. For more information about the club, visit www.VacavilleSoroptimist.org.