SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL of TWAIN HARTE supports "S" Clubs at Summerville and Sonora High Schools

"S" Club students from Summerville and Sonora High Schools joined other clubs from around northern California for the annual "S" Club Conference. Students, sponsored by the Sierra pacific Region of Soroptimist, spent an exciting and fun-filled weekend at Wonder Ranch, east of Fresno.

Pictured here on a lunch break during the trip home from Wonder Ranch are Sonora and Summerville "S" Club students: Kris, Suzie, Pilar, Caylynn, Cory, Jenny, Jillian and Dennis. Not pictured are Courtney and Katie.

Soroptimist International of Sonora and Twain Harte, both sponsor "S" Clubs for students who are interested in volunteering for service projects in and around Tuolumne County. The "S" Club at Summerville High School was reestablished in the fall of 2004, after a two year hiatus, with Advisors, Diana Harford, Michael Gibson and Jan Hiebert. Longtime Sonora High School "S" Club Advisor is Angela Brown. Angela has also served as the Sierra Pacific Region Chairman and planned many "S" Club Annual Conferences.

The conference was designed to help students network with each other. Students participated in workshops for fun and to gain new information about community service projects and fundraisers. Prizes are given for artistic interpretation of the conference theme for banners, name tags and project boards. This year, the host club from El Cerrito, chose "Faces of The World" for the conference theme.

Wonder Ranch is famous for being in the area where the Dalton Gang are reported to have had their hideout. During the eras of cowboy motion pictures, the dude ranch served as a vacation getaway for many of the cowboy stars and their stunt doubles. Students enjoyed sports activities like volleyball and trampolines, crafts, a masquerade ball, a "Talent / No Talent" Show and lots of good food, all in a secluded green valley. Everyone seemed energized to continue their many worthwhile projects and some students are already planning for next year's conference.

Revised October 29, 2006