The General Federal of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Woman’s Club of Ste. Genevieve honored local high school students from both Ste. Genevieve County R-II School District and Valle Catholic Schools at its luncheon on Monday, 9, 2022 at the VFW Post 2210.
The Woman’s Club bestowed students with writing awards, scholarships and opportunities to attend leadership conferences. The mission of the GFWC Woman’s Club of Ste. Genevieve is to strengthen its community and enhance the lives of others through volunteer service. The club helps to create change by supporting the arts, preserving historical and natural resources and advancing education through scholarships.
Two levels of scholarships are available to graduating seniors at both local high schools each year. The Helen Smith Scholarship provides $500 and the Young Woman’s Scholarship provides $1,000 towards the cost of higher education for the successful applicants at each high school. The following students were presented with scholarships:
Helen Smith Scholarship: Paige Huck
Young Woman’s Scholarship: Abby Moore
Other statewide scholarships, including the Missouri Leadership Seminar, Hugh O’Brien Youth (HOBY) Leadership program and the Sophomore Pilgrimage, are awarded to students for programs that promote good citizenship and leadership. The Missouri Leadership Seminar takes place the first weekend in June on the University of Central Missouri campus. The Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership (HOBY) program takes place in June on the Southeast Missouri State University campus. The seminar seeks to give student government leaders, academic achievers, athletes and others the opportunity to learn about topics that impact their lives today and in the future. The Sophomore Pilgrimage promotes good citizenship and enables students to see state government in action. Students visit elected officials in session and are presented with a certificate of merit in citizenship. The following students were presented with the opportunity to attend conferences:
Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership: Penny Yang
Missouri Leadership Seminar: Sara Bone
Sophomore Pilgrimage: Bryant Schwent
The annual Youth Writing Contest sponsored by the GFWC Woman’s Club of Ste. Genevieve narrowed down the many entries via local independent judges to first, second and third and honorable mention in two categories — short story and poetry. Those local winning entries were sent to the GFWC of Missouri State Conference competition. The following students were presented with awards through the Youth Writing Contest:
Poetry:
2nd Place State: Emily Gibson
3rd Place State: Dezirae Powell
1st Place Local: Dezirae Powell
3rd Place Local (Tie): Emily Gibson
Short Story:
2nd Place State: James Kirkhuff
3rd Place State: Caitlin Ladd
1st Place Local: Caitlin Ladd
2nd Place Local (Tie): James Kirkhuff
3rd Place Local (Tie): Kate Mesplay