Vaca Christian High Student Earns $1,000 Barbara Stevenson Award

Rachel Nelson, a senior at Vacaville Christian High School, has earned the Barbara Stevenson award of $1,000 award from Founder Region, Soroptimist International of The Americas, announced Mary Dickey, Soroptimist International of Vacaville president.

The Barbara Stevenson award is given to a member of an S Club who demonstrates exemplary leadership and service to the mission of Soroptimist, which is to make the world a better place for women and girls. Rachel has served as the club’s president in 2020-2021.The Vacaville Christian High School S Club is one of several local clubs sponsored by SI Vacaville.

The award will be presented at a virtual conference April 28-May 2.

This is in addition to the $700 Violet Richardson award presented to her by Soroptimist International of Vacaville in March for outstanding community service. Her charity of choice, Horseplay Therapeutic Riding Center in Dixon, also received $700.

Rachel has long volunteered for the Dixon riding center, and credits it with instilling her desire to help the disabled in her community. In addition, she was a 2020 Girls State Delegate; a member of the Varsity Swim Team and National Honor Society; and served as Student Body President. She is also a co-concertmaster violinist, and has volunteered at the Vacaville Storehouse, Adopt-a-Block and for the Make a Wish Foundation.