The Lamorinda AAUW meeting on Tuesday, April 20th at the Holy Trinity Church Cultural Center in Moraga was heralded as a Celebration of Excellence in the organizational mission to advance equity for women and girls through education and research and exceeded all expectations. Four outstanding graduating seniors were the recipients of $800 scholarships.
Angela LaScala-Gruenwald (Acalanes): Angela has an outstanding academic record with a talent for analytical and persuasive writing skills and a dedication to leadership roles in school athletics. She has contributed to a successful fundraising campaign for food banks and raised an additional $4000 through her organization of a food hike of l69 miles on the Tahoe Rim Trail.
Helen Wang (Acalanes): Helen was captain of the Acalanes Academic Decathlon Team, is Editor-in-Chief of the award winning school newspaper and is an accomplished musician in both the piano and violin and participates regularly in chamber music groups. She plans to major in English and the Social Sciences and hopes to pursue a career in government service and international relations.
Naya Olmer (Miramonte): Naya was recommended for her exceptional academic record which included completion of six advanced placement courses. She was cited for her outstanding leadership role in the AAUW Sister-to-Sister program and she has been involved in two international charity organizations - one to empower adults to be economically able to care for orphaned children in their villages as well as the goal to assist women artisans in Uganda and Rwanda to build fair-trade bridges. She has worked to send clothing and shoes to the destitute of Burma.
Katherine Pohlman (St. Mary's College): Katherine will continue her education at St. Mary's, entering a Masters Degree program. She has a passion for education and as a result of varied community services she has demonstrated her dedication to such services. She paid a glowing tribute to one of her mentors at St. Mary's College, Dr Susan Marston, Ed. D., who was the keynote speaker of the evening.
Angela LaScala-Gruenwald (Acalanes): Angela has an outstanding academic record with a talent for analytical and persuasive writing skills and a dedication to leadership roles in school athletics. She has contributed to a successful fundraising campaign for food banks and raised an additional $4000 through her organization of a food hike of l69 miles on the Tahoe Rim Trail. 
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA