Skylar Thompson, a 2021 graduate of Novato High School, was awarded a $2,000 scholarship by P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) Chapter SS in Novato. She was honored at a coffee along with three 2020 Chapter SS scholarship winners, Kelsey McIvor, Elizabeth Meehan, and Sarah Newman, before the young women headed off to college.
“These students are outstanding in every way – their character, their intellect, their attitude,” said Novato’s Kay Walker, the chapter’s scholarship selection chair. “This is an all-around win. P.E.O’s mission is to help women pursue educational goals that will make a difference in their lives. These women show promise of making a difference in our world. We are so proud to support them in their college dreams.”
Chapter members were introduced to the winners at the Novato home of Kathy Wright. The young women spoke about their current accomplishments and their goals.
— A scholar-athlete at Novato High, Skylar Thompson is enrolling in Chapman University this fall where she intends to study business and marketing.
— Kelsey McIvor graduated from San Marin High School in June 2020. She is now entering her sophomore year at University of California Berkeley as a global studies major.
— Elizabeth Meehan, a 2020 San Marin graduate, enrolled in University of California Santa Barbara last year, but attended remotely. This year she will be on campus and taking a pre-med course.
— Sarah Newman, another 2020 San Marin graduate, is gathering credits at both Santa Rosa Junior College and Marin of Marin, with plans to transfer to University of California Davis next fall. Meanwhile she has completed work for an EMT and is fully certified.
— Not present was Gabriela Reales, a 2020 graduate of Novato High School. She is taking a nursing course at College of Marin.
“Chapter SS, which was organized in Novato in 1970, has always supported the P.E.O. international educational projects, we wanted to do even more right in our hometown. The need is so great, and the candidates are so deserving. We are thrilled we can help,” said Delane Ramser, Chapter president. “And it was a special treat to have our founding member, La Verda Shaver, join us at the coffee.”
This is the fourth year the local chapter has awarded scholarships for graduating women from the Novato Unified School District. It has so far given away $12,000. Scholarship applications for current seniors will be available at the high school career centers beginning in January, according to Walker.
P.E.O. is more than 150 years old and has almost a quarter of a million members in chapters throughout the United States and Canada. P.E.O. members celebrate the advancement of women; educate women through scholarships, grants, awards, and loans as well as stewardship of Cottey College; and motivate women to achieve their highest aspirations. To learn more about the organization’s educational programs and scholarships, please visit peointernational.org or peocalifornia.org.
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