University Women's Club awards scholarships

Special to The R-C

The University Women's Club of Carson Valley recently presented 2010 Alice Kaufmann Memorial Scholarship awards to three Douglas High School graduating students, reports club president Bonnie Rogers. Nicole Duster, Alexandra Murray, Theresa Owens, and their guests were feted recently at a special awards luncheon attended by members of the local organization.

Nicole will attend the University of Washington in Seattle, majoring in Biochemistry as a pre-med choice. She graduates 2nd in her class of 440 students, with a GPA of 4.511; she has participated in track and soccer varsity teams, and is an accomplished flautist, dancer, and artist. Nicole resides in Minden with parents John and Tammy Stewart.

Alexandra, daughter of William and Paula Murray of Gardnerville, will attend Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. She will major in English/International Studies; her high school GPS is an impressive 4.114 and her extracurricular activities list athletic participation, fundraising, tutoring, environmental interests.

Theresa is enrolled in Unity College in Maine, and "environmental college" which offers a major in Wildlife Care and Education, with a minor in Zoology - a perfect fit for her interest in animals and the hours she spent every weekend for 3 years as a volunteer docent at the Animal Ark north of Reno. She has maintained a GPA of 3.8 and participated in league bowling for 6 years. She is the daughter of Mark and Tammy Owens of Minden.

The Alice Kaufmann Memorial Scholarship this year honors a club member who contributed many years to the cause of education in the Carson Valley through membership in the University Women's Club; her daughter and granddaughter, Betsy and Emilie Weiss, were honored at the awards luncheon. The club, active since 1928, is open to all women who wish to support students higher education, while participating in learning pursuits for themselves. The annual scholarship awards are financed by modest yearly dues and private donations of members. Committee members reviewing applicants included Carol Wentzel (Chairman), Karin Allen, Louise Bell, and Phyllus Lidster.