By Sarah Carrasco and Laury Macauley, Co-Coordinators of the 2019-2020 Education Women Committee
We would like to thank the Education Women Committee members: Darlene Delaney, Margie Hermanson, Anna McArdle, Patte Robnett, Pam Robinson, Denise Rupracht, Debera Thomas, Linda Walker, and Norma Webster. The Committee Members were persistent and adaptable in light of the Covid19 situation and these attributes allowed us to complete in person interviews combined with the use of Zoom. Award letters with heartfelt congratulations went out, and we recently sent out certificates to each awardee.
Memorial Graduate Student Scholarships are awarded in memory of Jack Simon. Jack was the husband of Jeanne Baxter, Past Club President and Life Member, and owner of Ethan Allen Interiors in Reno. Jack generously supported our scholarship fund-raising efforts by providing his business as a location for our Spring Fling for a number of years. He donated auction items and money, and donated his time and energy whenever and wherever the Club needed him. Jack was an honorary member of our Club, and he proudly wore his Soroptimist pin. After Jack’s death in 1994, Jeanne established the Club’s first graduate scholarship. Since then the Club has continued to honor Jack by awarding scholarships in his memory.
2020 Graduate Student Awardees
Memorial Undergraduate Scholarships are awarded in memory of three beloved former club members.
Nancy Gomes held a seat on the Washoe County School Board and in the Nevada Assembly, forging a path for other women to follow. Prior to her death, Nancy was given the prestigious Distinguished Nevada Award by the University of Nevada and was probably best known as a tireless advocate for Nevada’s women and children. It was fitting to name the Club’s first major scholarship after Nancy Gomes.
Mary Gojack was a charter member of Soroptimist International of Truckee Meadows and instrumental in establishing the original Nancy Gomes Scholarship. She worked as a dealer at night to support her children while earning a Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Nevada. Mary served in the Nevada Assembly and the Nevada Senate, where she sponsored legislation requiring developers to set aside land and money for city parks within or near their developments. Following her death, the Club decided to honor Mary by adding her name to the scholarship program where re-entry women receive assistance to complete their education.
Sue Camp was a longtime Reno resident, active in community affairs and especially active in Soroptimist International of Truckee Meadows. Sue served as the Club’s President, then as District Director of the Sierra Nevada Region and then as Governor of the Sierra Nevada Region. She was especially proud to be a Laurel Society Envoy member. Wearing many hats, she served on or coordinated almost every Club Committee, but her life long passion for educating girls and women frequently lead her to the Education Women Committee, serving more than once as the committee coordinator. Sue passed in 2014.
2020 Undergraduate Awardees
