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VISTA, California, March 2026— Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland gave out $15,000 in Live Your Dream Education and Training Awards to 12 local women at an event held at Vista’s Gloria McClellan Senior Center on March 14. All the women are single mothers enrolled in college after having overcome trauma, divorce, domestic violence, homelessness, and addiction. “These women have incredible stories of resilience in the face of obstacles, all while juggling raising children, going to school, and working…We celebrate these women, who are building a future for themselves and their families through education and hard work,” said Soroptimist Eden Weinberger. The cash awards are meant to help defray their educational and child care expenses.

First place awardee Kaitlyn Stowinsky was chosen to advance to Soroptimist’s Region level, where she can receive additional awards. Kaitlyn is a single mother who was placed in foster care at the tender age of four, when her mother was deployed. “At eight, I was the little girl waiting by the door every night, wondering when my mom would come home, too young to understand that her absence wasn’t my fault. By ten, I battled self-harm and the urge to run from pain I couldn’t name,” she said. Everything changed when she had her daughter. “By pursuing higher education and dedicating myself to meaningful scientific work, I aim to show that my past does not define my potential, it fuels it,” she said. Kaitlyn excels in the STEM fields and is pursuing a degree in Biology from Cal State San Marcos. The Live Your Dream award will “help me show my daughter that determination can turn even the hardest beginnings,” she said.

Second place awardee Taylor Walt is working towards business and legal degrees at Palomar College with plans to transfer for further degrees  in order to get a job in a law office setting, earn a good salary, and ensure a stable life for her daughter. Taylor had a rough childhood. Her father was sentenced to 25 years in prison when she was only 2. She got involved in drugs, but since becoming a mother she has fought her addiction and maintains both her sobriety and a 4.0 average. “For a long time, I lacked purpose. But when I found out I was going to be a mother, I decided that cycle would end. I would never be the cause of my daughter to feel abandoned. I would never go back,” she said.

Eight of the other ten awardees were present with their children and their stories of overcoming adversity were equally inspiring. 

Guest speakers this year were Vista Mayor John Franklin, State Assemblywoman Laurie Davies and Dina Marinescu, a counselor at Palomar College. Also speaking was the club’s 2025 Live Your Dream awardee, Jasmine Craft, who proudly displayed her Associate in Science degree from Palomar College.

Soroptimist Club President Jennifer Luz-Olson and Live Your Dream Chair Eden Weinberger officiated and presented each woman with their award plus a goodie bag and corsage from Petals of Hope, an organization for survivors of trafficking and abuse. The awardees also received Certificates of Recognition from the Vista Mayor’s office, State Assemblywoman Laurie Davies, and State Senator Catherine Blakespear. Children in attendance received games and coloring books and crayons. Meals for the children were donated by Raising Cane’s of Vista, while the adults dined on food from Mama and Papa’s Pizza Grotto.

The Live Your Dream Awards are made possible by money raised through the club’s various fundraisers and through the support of sponsors in the community. The next event will be a Bunco Fundraiser held April 11, 2026 at the Gloria McClellan Senior Center. Tickets are on sale now at https://bit.ly/47E4UeG or by contacting the club at soroptimistinternationalvista@gmail.com. For more info: soroptimistvista.org.