The Soroptimist International of Dixon club raised funds to honor their 13 scholarship winners through fundraising and outreach efforts. Photo courtesy of Soroptimist International of Dixon

DIXON, CA (MPG) - Soroptimist International of Dixon honored 13 graduating seniors from both Dixon High School and Maine Prairie High School at a Soroptimist luncheon May 15.

The 13 honorees were awarded one of two scholarships: the Soroptimist Scholarship or the Touch from Above Scholarship.

According to Soroptimist International of Dixon Chapter President Barbara Rigdon, their goal is to empower youth through the club’s support.

“Our goal, our mission, is to empower youth to achieve their goals. Annual scholarships are absolutely one way we accomplish this by giving them the tools or the money necessary to keep their momentum going,” said Rigdon.

Through various outreach efforts and consistent fundraising, the club can accrue capital for scholarships such as the Soroptimist Scholarship, which was awarded to six students: Harmony Caldera, Mia DeLeon, Karen Heredia, Paige Purcell, Taylor Stow and Tatianna Treisman.

The Soroptimist Scholarship is annually awarded to girls graduating from Dixon High School who plan to attend a two- or four-year college or vocational school. In addition, honorees need at least a 3.0 GPA and participate in community service.

Dixon High School senior and Soroptimist awardee DeLeon appreciated the scholarship award.

“I was very honored, because I was already familiar with Soroptimist Dixon from another award that I got,” said DeLeon. “I know how much they do for the community and others, so I was honored they chose me.”

DeLeon was previously honored as Soroptimist International of Dixon’s 2025 Young Woman of the Month for March. Deleon intends on going to University of California, San Diego in the fall to pursue a degree in political science.

Soroptimist International of Dixon hosted a luncheon in May, in which they honored a collective of 13 Dixon and Maine Prairie High School seniors with scholarships. Photo courtesy of Soroptimist International of Dixon

The other event honorees were awarded the Touch from Above scholarship, which is awarded to both Dixon and Maine Prairie High seniors who plan to attend a two-to-four-year college or vocational trade school. Selected students were chosen because, according to Rigdon, they embody strong achievement, work ethic and community service.

The Touch from Above scholarship, a memorial fund built on donations, was awarded to seven seniors: Giovanni Castellanos, Kylee Gage, Makenzie Jacobs, Vinsom Lam, Nery Marquez Manriquez, Layla Rhodes and Lena (Jamie) Ross.

According to Maine Prairie High senior and Touch from Above awardee Jacobs, she was humbled by the experience.

“It was amazing. I’m just really grateful and thankful. I didn’t know what to say; I was kind of speechless when I received the scholarship,” said Jacobs.

Jacobs was previously honored as Soroptimist International of Dixon’s 2025 Young Woman of the Month for May. Jacobs is considering attending Salt Lake Community College to pursue mechanical engineering.

Overall, Soroptimist International of Dixon awarded approximately $16,750 in scholarships. Since 1968, the club has offered scholarships to Dixon graduates and, according to Rigdon, is proud to do so.

“Soroptimist International of Dixon is immensely proud to be able to give these scholarships and it is what we work for every year to produce them. We have found each of our awardees to be genuine, motivated and gracious people,” said Rigdon.

For more information, visit the Soroptimist International of Dixon Facebook page or email [email protected].