Oxnard Soroptimists Salute Women Leaders

Soroptimist International of Oxnard has honored women leaders in the community “who have made outstanding contributions to improve the status of women” during its annual Making a Difference for Women awards breakfast.

Sue Chadwick of Santa Barbara Bank and Trust received the Women Helping Women Award for broadening opportunities for women in banking.

Yamaguchi Salon and Day Spa, headed by chief executive Melissa Chambers, was honored “as a business advancing the status of women.”

Women of Distinction recognition was awarded in the following categories of Soroptimist service:

Economic and Social Development--Carmen Ramirez, attorney and director of Channel Counties Legal Services Program.

Environment--Nancy Rahn, chairwoman of Blackstock North Neighborhood Council and coordinator of a recycling program for Oxnard School District.

Health--Guadalupe Moriel-Guillen, who works with teens at Oxnard College to improve their self-image.

Human Rights--Tina Rasnow, attorney, promotes human rights and status of women through her practice and volunteer activities.

International Goodwill--Alice McGrath has led 75 expeditions to Nicaragua, bringing medicine, physicians, lawyers and others.

Education--Doloris Carn, principal of E.O. Green Junior High School in Port Hueneme.

In-N-Out Burger Foundation Assists Youths * Interface Children Family Services received $10,000 from the In-N-Out Burger Foundation to assist abused children in Ventura County. Each April, customers at three Ventura County In-N-Out Burger restaurants are asked to drop change from meal purchases into a box, honoring Child Abuse Prevention Month. The foundation matches those donations 3-to-1. Other proceeds are collected from an annual golf tournament. Interface will designate the money for child abuse prevention and intervention programs.

League Awards Grant to Camarillo Hospice * The Meadowlark Service League has awarded a $7,000 grant to Camarillo Hospice. The funds will support the work of the hospice, which cares for the terminally ill and bereaved in the area. Grant money will also help expand the hospice’s outreach area businesses.

Mental Health Program Receives $850,000 * The California Endowment awarded a five-year grant totaling $850,000 to Child Development Resources of Ventura County for its Children’s Enhanced Mental Health Program. The Woodland Hills-based endowment was founded in 1996 to improve access to affordable health care for underserved residents of California.

Ventura High Musician Wins State Award * Joshua Norton, a sophomore at Ventura High School, was awarded the California State Grand Champion Drum Major Award in both the Military Apprentice Division and the Military Major Division at the California State Championship Competition in Anaheim. Norton plays trumpet in the Concert Wind Ensemble and was selected to be the drum major for the Ventura High School Black and Gold Brigade Marching Band for the 1997-98 school year.

Camarillo Graduate Wins Scholarship * Rachel Brand, a 1997 Camarillo High School graduate, was awarded a $500 scholarship from Mitchell & Schwartz, an accounting firm in Oxnard. The scholarship honors scholastic excellence and community service. Brand will attend Indiana University.

Grant to Assist Santa Paula Teen Center * The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Paula has received a $3,000 grant from the Faria Family Foundation. The grant will be used to support Club U.N.O. (Ultimate Night Out), a teen center offering sports activities, dances and field trips for members ages 13-18.

Conejo Rotarians Pick Winning Essays * The Conejo Valley Rotary Club has announced the winners of its essay contest:

Conejo Valley High School--David Powell ($1,000); Steven Lessard ($500); Josh Phillips ($250).

Newbury Park High School--Brian Chong ($1,000); Nathaniel Austin ($500); Ian Lebby ($250).

Thousand Oaks High School--Casey Schwarz ($1,000); Kristie Nakamura and Valerie Sun ($500 each); Yi Shaun Chen ($250).

The contest rules were to write, in fewer than 1,000 words, a position pro or con in one of the following categories: chastity, abortion, mercy killing and capital punishment.

Awards and Honors is compiled by Rodney Bosch. Please address items to Awards and Honors, Los Angeles Times, 93 S. Chestnut St., Ventura 93001. Items can also be faxed to The Times at 653-7576 or 653-7548.