text: Soroptimist International Apple Valley recently announced the recipients of the SIAV Live Your Dream scholarships. Three scholarships were awarded to Victor Valley College students. Two were awarded to students moving on to a four year program or higher and one to a student continuing her education at Victor Valley College.
  Alanha Zel Medina received a SIAV scholarship in 2011 to continue her studies at Victor Valley College. She was awarded a 2012 scholarship and is enrolled at Cal State University Long Beach where she is pursuing a degree in fashion merchandizing, textiles and design. She hopes one day to create and own a clothing line.
  Medina was the Victor Valley College Foundation Representative on the Associated Student Body. She also wrote and presented "Student Success Stories" to the foundation.
  Susan VanAllen was awarded a 2012 SIAV scholarship and is entering the masters in social work program at Cal State University San Bernardino. Van Allen is a 48 yearold mother of three and grandmother of two. After completing her associate in arts degree at Victor Valley College, she enrolled in and completed her bachelor's degree in psychology through Brandman University's online program. She also took supplemental courses at Victor Valley College.
  In her scholarship application essay VanAllen wrote "One area that I feel most passionate about is in helping women, since many of my difficulties in life might have been alleviated with some emotional support and education. I have a very fervent desire to help women overcome their own difficulties."
  VanAllen and her children started Project Cleanin' Phelan which schedules and executes clean up days in Phelan.
  The third scholarship recipient is Debra Viernes who is returning to Victor Valley College where she is enrolled in the respiratory therapist program. In her application essay she described a long family history of asthma and other respiratory ailments, yet she had never known of the role of respiratory therapy in helping with these ailments until recently. Viernes wrote, "I would like to enter this field so that I can make a difference in people's lives. I know, first hand, how it feels not to be able to take a breath. I understand the pain, fear, and panic one feels as they are literally drowning in their own fluids. As a mother of asthmatic children, I know the anxiety parents feel as their children are fighting to take a breath. And finally, as a daughter, I understand what the patient's family is going through. My life experiences allow me to empathize with patients as well as their families in a way that I feel will help comfort and reassure them as the patient is being treated. I believe that respiratory therapy is my calling in life."
  SIAV is a volunteer organization of professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls in the high desert community and the world as a member club of Soroptimist International. The SIAV scholarships are awarded through the Victor Valley College Foundation. Other SIAV projects include: The SAVED Grant Program that gives financial grants to local programs to cover the cost of cancer screening and cancer support programs for women and girls without the means to pay for those services. SIAV also raises funds to help victims of domestic violence who are served by "A Better Way" Domestic Violence Inc. of Victorville. SIAV recognizes women and girls who give their time and talent to help women and girls in their communities. To learn more about SIAV visit them on the web at www.soroptimistav.org or follow them on Face Book. If you are interested in becoming a member, attend one of their meetings held at noon on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at the Apple Valley Country Club or call Patricia Ritschel, membership chair at (760) 964-6922.