Dana Point Women’s Club awards college scholarships to local graduates
By CLARA BEARD
Five local graduating seniors, including four from Dana Hills High School, were awarded college scholarships this month through a longstanding philanthropic program hosted by the Dana Point Women’s Club.
This year’s scholarship recipients included Dana Hills High School graduates Marfoula Barbatsis, Betsy Bustos Benetiz, Emery Ormond and Audrina Mason, along with Sophia Kisling of Union High School in San Juan Capistrano.
“All of these extraordinary young ladies are planning to attend four-year colleges and every one of them demonstrated extraordinary academic and extracurricular achievement, volunteerism and leadership,” Project Scholarship Co-Chair Betty Hill said in a release.
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Courtesy of Dana Point Women’s Club
Local college scholarship recipients stand with family members and Dana Point Women’s Club members during a special luncheon honoring their academic achievements
The local organization, which supports South Orange County philanthropic programs focused on education, literacy, child welfare and services for women and families, announced it awarded five $2,000 scholarships to female high school graduates during its May 7 luncheon meeting.
The nonprofit increased the scholarship amount from last year’s $1,500 awards in response to the rising costs of higher education.
The scholarships are part of the club’s “Project Scholarship” program, which recognizes academic achievement, community service, athletics, arts participation, leadership and extracurricular involvement among young women pursuing higher education.
Ormond, a resident of Capistrano Beach, also received the Ann Austin Romano Memorial Scholarship, a legacy-funded award designated for a female graduate living in ZIP code 92624 who meets the scholarship’s academic and service-based criteria.
Dana Point Women’s Club members hosted the scholarship recipients and their families during the luncheon, where students spoke to attendees about their accomplishments and future educational plans.
Members of the Women’s Club scholarship committee will also attend award ceremonies at local high schools to formally present the scholarships.
