Over 60 family and friends attended the Soroptimist International of Fillmore awards ceremony at La Cabana Restaurant in Santa Paula on Wed. April 27, 2011.

The highest Soroptimist honor that evening, the Ruby Award was presented to a woman who, through her personal and professional activities, worked to improve the lives of women and girls. It was presented to a woman who has worked in extraordinary ways to benefit women and girls. This year the winner is Toni Galvez. It was presented to her by Soroptimist Betty Carpenter.

The Women’s Opportunity Award was presented to a woman who is currently working towards improving their education, skills and employment prospects. It was presented by president of Fillmore Soroptimist Ari Larson to Lolita Wyche.

The Imogene Vest Memorial Scholarship Award was presented by Soroptimist Dr. Christine Johnston. This scholarship is awarded to two Fillmore High School students based on community service and academic performance. The winners are, Chloe Keller and Riley Wright.

The Violet Richardson Award also presented by Dr. Christine Johnston is awarded to a young woman who makes the community and world a better place through volunteer efforts. It was awarded to Ashley Morino.

Congratulations to the following winners of the Verna Padelford Writing Awards-Fillmore High School presented to the students by Soroptimist and award ceremony chair Lynne Brooks: Short Story, 1rst Place Claire Faith for The Real Boy, 2nd Place Vanessa Villa for Scars and 3rd Place Eriyana Linder for A Kind of Peace. In poetry 1rst place was presented to Itzelle Iniguez for Alzheimer’s, 2nd Place Alex Gaspar for The Guardian and 3rd Place Mayra Flores It’s Life.

Fillmore Middle School winners for short story included 1rst Place for Vivian Ceja, New Place in My Heart and 2nd Place George Tarango, Fillmore’s Legend. For poetry 1rst Place went to Colton Farrar for I Was Raised by Music, 2nd Place, Luke Myers for Laziness and 3rd Place, Taylor R. Wright for I Love Swimming.

Congratulations to all of these outstanding citizens. For more information on Soroptimist International of Fillmore please contact President Ari Larson at petenari55@hotmail.com or call 805.794.7590.