Soroptimist International of Buena Park hosts
By Loreen Berlin
Soroptimist International of Buena Park, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Buena Park, recently held the 13th annual “Smart Girls Graduation” at the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel.
Twenty-two young ladies were honored during the graduation ceremony and dinner. Meet the Class of 2018.
It includes: Alise Horton-Diggs, Alyshia Singh, Alyssa Pena, Ashlee Salguero, Billie Hadaway, Brianne Garin, Daisy Garcia, Eden Britton, Erandy Sotelo, Kailah Boyd and Kalese King.
Graduates also included Katie Cameron, Kayla Woodson, Kelly Smith-Bennett, Kelzye Alaniz, Lilly Good, Lizeth Perez, Lolani Campos, Olivia Aden, Rosemary Duarte, Sofia Cabrejos and Victoria Duarte.
Three Smart Girls members each received $100 scholarships during the evening; they are Victoria Duarte, Alyshia Singh and Alisa Horton.
Horton was chosen as “Smart Girl of the Year.”
Soroptimist President Katy O’Connell admonished the girls to not only be inspired by what they learn, but to work to inspire others by their example.
“We’re proud of the Smart Girls for being kind and polite and we believe in the power of girls and women and in their developing leadership skills,” said O’Connell.
Smart Girls Chairperson Sue Richter said that it has been a wonderful experience to watch the girls grow and mature through the nine-month Smart Girls program. “This year, we had a new book-reading club experience where all of the girls were given the same book to read and then we came back to have a group discussion about the book.”
Each of the girls were presented a bracelet with their birth date on it, “Because you have always been Smart Girls since your birth,” said Program Director Luz Trout.
On behalf of the Arbonne Charitable Foundation Representative Julia Smart, girls were provided a lovely handbag filled with personal items of Arbonne makeup and other items for each girl, along with Knott’s Berry Farm donating individual park tickets for each girl to have in her handbag.
“I’d like to congratulate the graduates of the Smart Girls program. I’m thrilled to see such confident and empowered young ladies who are being celebrated after completing nine months of hard work and dedication to learning about themselves and their capabilities,” said Smart.
“Our Foundation has supported the Smart Girls program through monetary grants for the past four years and we continue to support the program because it perfectly embodies the mission of our Foundation, which is to promote self-esteem and confidence in teens. We’re proud and honored to continue support in the future as well.”
Girls ages 11 through 13 who are members of the Boys & Girls Club of Buena Park’s after school program may participate in the nine-month weekly program, which begins in October of each year.
Girls were encouraged to “Never give up on your dream.”
One young lady said, “I get to be the better version of myself by being a member of Smart Girls.”
Boys & Girls Club CEO Todd Trout said that Smart Girls is a nationally accredited program through the Boys & Girls Club of America.
Trout said the program normally consists of six to eight weeks; however, Buena Park is fortunate to have a nine month program and that Orange County and clubs in Arizona and Boston are in the process of incorporating Buena Park’s blueprint.
“Congrats Class of 2018—well done,” said Trout.
