Gustine Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner Dance

The members of Soroptimist International of Gustine - Newman attended this spectacular event which was held February 23rd. The theme for the night was "Hello Hollywood, Hello" and tables were decorated around the title of a movie. We chose the movie "Working Girl" and created a centerpiece depicting how hard our members work to improve the lives of Women and Girls around the world. The table was spectacular and everyone had a very enjoyable evening.

Violet Richardson Award

Wendy Salazar, a 17-year-old senior at Gustine High School, was the recipient of this award. She received a cash award for working as a volunteer assistant for the Gustine Police Department where she provided general clerical support and assisted in translating for Spanish-speaking residents needing assistance at City Hall. Last summer, Wendy was a captain in Gustine's Y-LEAD program She currently volunteers as a docent at the Gustine Museum. She encourages other young adults to volunteer and participate in their community. After graduation, Wendy plans to continue her studies.

Women's Opportunity Award

We recently presented this award to three deserving recipients. The scholarships are awarded to women with primary financial responsibility for supporting their family while attending a vocational/skills training program or undergraduate degree program. This year's local winner is Shawna Wilson who is in the nursing program at Merced College. Other recipients are Olga Alvarez and Kimberly Thomas. Both are attending college classes.

Making a Difference for Women

Patricia Rocha was raised in rural Gustine. She is a graduate of Our Lady of Miracles Parochial School and Gustine High School. After raising her 4 children, Pat attended classes at Modesto Junior College and now holds a California Clear Designated Subjects Vocational Education Teaching Credential. Pat has also earned a General Engineering Contractors A License, which is important to her and her husband's backhoe business.

Pat's work that has helped women and girls includes ten years as a 4-H leader; programs such as Red Ribbon Campaign at the schools and through the city council on drug abuse; Police Activities League; twelve years teaching Jobs for California Graduates at Gustine High School, which included a Variety Show each year which gave the girls a lot of confidence. At JCG, Pat taught the teens workplace and life skills, including proper dress and social skills for girls in the workplace and how to handle sexual harassment. Pat currently serves as one of only two substitutes at Valley High School in Los Banos which is the school for troubled and problem teens that have not been able to make it in regular school programs.

Besides the above activities, Pat has served two terms on the Gustine City Council, is currently on the Gustine Unified School Board and has been a member or an officer of the Gustine Recreation Commission, the Gustine Diamond Jubilee Committee, the Al Goman Community Center Committee, the Gustine Downtown Revitalization Committee, the Westside Tennis Club, Newman Garden Club, Gustine Chamber of Commerce, Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court in Gustine and the Red Hat Society, which this past year donated $4000 to Woman's Haven, $2000 to the American Cancer Society for Breast Cancer Research and $1000 to the new Golden Valley Health Center in Newman. Pat was instrumental in earning these funds and directing the donations.

Pat was honored in 1992 by Merced County Drug and Alcohol Abuse Services for her organization of the Red Ribbon Campaign at the local schools. In 2002 the California State JCG Board of Directors as well as the county JCG and High School Boards recognized Pat for her outstanding achievement in working with students to meet 100% of their goals to graduate and to be employed. Pat was the only one in the state to reach this high goal. Also, she was recognized in 2003 for Women's History Month by the Merced County Board of Supervisors for her contributions to the community and the youth of the community.

Pat can list many achievements as a woman here on the West Side. With being elected to serve two terms on the Gustine City Council and now her election to the board of the Gustine Unified School District, she serves as a model and inspiration for young girls and women everywhere.

.

Revised April 6, 2008