Award Recipients 

The 2021 Award's Program was conducted on Zoom since it was held during the COVID-19 pandemic.  
LIVE YOUR DREAM AWARD WINNERS

• Ebelyn Miranda is a single mother of one child who is getting her professional certification training in PSI Property & Casualty Insurance. She is currently working for Stan Smith Insurance in Eureka.
• Brittnee Thompson is studying Early Childhood Education at College of the Redwoods. She is a single mother of a daughter and lives in Crescent City. She wants to become a Head Start teacher for her tribe.
• Lori Squillace is a 51-year-old divorced mother of a teenage son and lives in Mendocino. She is studying to become a Holistic Health Practitioner through Quantum University. Through nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, meditation, mind/hear coherence, she wants to help people become healthier and more peaceful in their lives.
• Nancy Hurtado is a divorced mother of two small children and working on her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education/Health at the International Sports Sciences Association.  She hopes to further her knowledge on how the body moves and how she can help others better understand how their body moves and can be transformed into a healthier and more comfortable version.

VIOLET RICHARSON AWARD WINNER
Klayre Barres is a student at Eureka High School. She is a co-founder and Vice-President of the Eureka High School “S” Club. Her goal is focused on empathy and creating an environment of safety for the young women at Eureka High School. Klayre says this about her volunteer work, “Activism and volunteerism for empathy and positive school climate is something that I have become passionate about since the walkout freshman year. From the pandemic to the wildfires to the election, our country is under a great deal of stress. Empathy unites, which is something we desperately need right now. “ Klayre was also chosen as the District winner and received another $1,000 from Founder Region Soroptimist.
RUBY AWARD WINNERS

• Aileen Bartscht has helped distribute toys to need children living in Humboldt, Trinity, Mendocino and Del Norte Counties fore over five years. She started a personal project of making blankets and warm beanie hats for local charities such as the Women’s Rescue Mission. She places a “Heart Bead” on every blanket and hat, making them special and from her heart.
• Katelyn Graeser and Sarah Fox are co-head coaches for girls’ softball at Eureka High School. On the softball field, they encourage girls to play even if they have never picked up a softball before. They make learning and growing a fun, challenging endeavor. They guild teamwork and team bonding with many exercises.
• Byrd Lochtie has been a member of the League of Women Voters Humboldt County for over 50 years. Byrd has been a member of the State of the Community Luncheon committee, honoring local people for their efforts to “Make Democracy Work” and was also honored as a Civic community Volunteer. She is active in Girl Scouts, Humboldt Area Foundation and now oversees the Human Right Commission, County Board of Supervisors’ Human Trafficking grant.