Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe

Local nonprofits in the South Lake Tahoe area were presented with a record $250,000 in donations from the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and American Century Championship as a result of money raised during the 2020 celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe.

Just as the popular golf event was unique and held without fans due to COVID-19 this year, it was a different type of ceremony handing out the money and the presentation of checks held virtually. Representatives from 53 nonprofits awarded the money were on the Thursday Zoom call.

Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe (SISLT) awarded scholarships to a group of local students from South Tahoe High, George Whittell High, the Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Academy and Lake Tahoe Community College. The club, serving the community since 1959, has given out over one-million dollars to local graduates over the years.

On our last day of school at South Tahoe Middle School, we look back with gratitude to the many individuals and organizations that helped to enrich the lives of our students throughout the 2019-2020 school year. Despite finishing the school year off-campus with remote learning, we were able to envision and execute some wonderful programs and activities including:

● The new STMS robotics team
● AVID college field trips
● High-interest books for classroom libraries
● New books for the school library
● Mountain bikes, parts & tools for PE
● Science magazine subscriptions

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Many nonprofits have had to cancel their fundraisers due to the coronavirus, but the ladies of the Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra (SITS) club in South Lake Tahoe weren't going to let the virus stop them.

Their 31t annual Elegant Evening was slated to be held at Harrah's Tahoe on April 18 with a sit-down dinner, live music, and dancing, raffle, and auction. The venue closed and restrictions on meeting in groups of over 10 people were created, so what do you do with an event that brings together 500 community members?

Move it online, of course.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Nine young women from the south shore were honored by the Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe (SISLT) club during a luncheon on Wednesday.

They earned the "Young Women of Distinction" award for their exceptional academic achievements, leadership abilities, and community service.

From South Tahoe High School: Carissa Buchholz, Kayla Mason, Tyler Pevenage, Brenda Santana, and Sadie Waldie.

From Whittell High School: Aylin Aguilar, Faith Galli, Sarah Gonzales, and Trinity Kirvida-McGowan.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Thousands of people decked out in their red, white and blue lined the parade route in South Lake Tahoe Thursday to celebrate the 4th of July.

Not only were record-breaking crowds watching the fifth year of the parade there was also the largest number of entries in the parade itself with 300 walkers, 80 entries including the City of South Lake Tahoe's 20-foot eagle balloon.

Dear Community, The sold-out 30th annual Elegant Evening 2019 at Harrah’s Tahoe was a huge success and that was due to the generosity of businesses and friends near and far. We are beyond thrilled that our special appeal for Challenge Day was met and exceeded!

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - All 280 first graders in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) and Zephyr Cove Elementary are participating in the second annual Gift of Literacy day at Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) on April 26.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On Tuesday, April 2, 325 6th graders from South Tahoe Middle School, Zephyr Cove Elementary School and home-schooled youth, will spend the day at Lake Tahoe Community College going through the 16th annual Drug Store Project.

Since 2004, middle school students in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) have gone through the Drug Store Project (DSP), a day-long comprehensive drug prevention program designed to educate youth about the dangers of substance use and abuse.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - County Supervisor Sue Novasel was honored by Assemblyman Frank Bigelow as the 5th District's Woman of the Year during a special ceremony on Monday during a Floor Session in Sacramento.

Each year, the California Women’s Legislative Caucus sponsors and hosts its Woman of the Year event to honor women from around the state for all they do in their communities.

Ten senior girls at South Tahoe High School and Whittell High Schools were honored by the Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe club on Wednesday for their service to the community and their leadership, athletic and academic achievements.

For over 30 years the club has honored local students via their "Women of Distinction" award program.

This year's recipients:

South Tahoe High - Emily Dilts, Summer Furrer, Rita McCann, Megan McGill,
Kylie Pilkinton, Zyena Tolhurst

Whittell High - Brianna Johns, Rebecca Petty, Melanie Sanchez, Anna White

Through generous contributions made to the Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe (SISLT) club during their annual wine tasting events, the club has been able to give back to the local community over $1,040,822 in scholarships, awards and grants.

The 60th installation of Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe Foundation officers combined a patriotic 4th of July theme and America’s signature game, baseball, in a lighthearted ceremony at Harvey’s convention center on June 27, 2018. It began with photographs of the Club’s 1964 fundraising baseball game between Soroptimist and Rotary of South Lake Tahoe, followed by clips from the legendary Abbott and Costello film “Who’s on First.” The tables were decorated with cups of peanuts and Cracker Jacks; the officers to be installed in baseball shirts and hats.

Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra’s Elegant Evening 2018 at Harrah’s Tahoe was a huge success and that was due to the generosity of businesses and friends both near and far.

Thank you to all who attended this fun, entertaining and worthwhile event and those that donated to enable our support of the many programs and organizations we assist. As always, all money raised is invested into schools, scholarships, community projects, youth, and services both locally and globally. (www.sitahoesierra.org) .t

There are four people running for El Dorado County Supervisor for the 5th District on June 5: Incumbent Sue Novasel and challengers Kenny Curtzwiler, Norma Santiago and Jeffrey Spencer. The 5th District covers Pollock Pines to South Lake Tahoe and Tahoma.

South Tahoe Now asked each candidate the same questions, and here are all of their answers, exactly as they were presented to us.

Sue Novasel
Occupation: El Dorado County Supervisor – District V
Past political history:
2015 – Present: County Supervisor, District V

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Saint Joseph Community Land Trust (SJCLT) was awarded a Community Service Grant from the Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe Foundation. The grant was in the amount of $1,800 and will be applied to our Motel to Housing Loan Program. SJCLT Board Members, Lyn Barnett and MaryAnne Brand attended the awards ceremony at a luncheon held in Harrah’s South Lake Tahoe.

This letter was sent to South Tahoe Now. We will be running all three "Letters to the Editor" received on the subject at the same time.

The inaccuracies and subjective opinion of a recent news story (not published on South Tahoe Now) compelled us to respond with the facts and true information about the volunteer food and beverage tents at American Century Championship.

Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe (SISLT) awarded $25,003 towards programs in the local community that benefit youth during a luncheon on Wednesday, March 14.

The following presenters gave a brief description of the program on how the funds that were awarded would be used.

Jeanne Nelson– NAMI, El Dorado County, SLT – Brain Health Leadership
Paula Peterson – St. Theresa Bread & Broth 4 Kids - Healthy Snacks in the Classroom
Peggy Blowney – Tahoe Arts Project – Performing Arts in School
Kristy Wilson – Sierra House Elementary School PTA – Agroforestry Project

In a tradition dating back decades, the Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe recognized local high school students for not only their academic and athletic achievements, but for their work in the community.

Former South Lake Tahoe resident Wendy Shehadi passed away on October 19 2017 at the age of 76 in Las Vegas. Wendy is survived by her husband Dick; sons Mark and Scott; guardian son Mike Cokeron; grandsons Michael and Ryan Shehadi; brother Dr. Richard Rupp; sister in law Louise Rupp; brother in law Michael Shehadi; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe announces the 47th Annual "An Evening of Food, Wine, & Beer Tasting and Competition". This years event will include our local breweries in a competition for 2017 Best of Tahoe Award for the best brewery. The winner of this competition will enjoy a media package with free advertisements from many of our local news outlets.

Location

To the community:

I am so proud to have been part of the Bi-State Women's March on Saturday. And I am proud that Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe sanctioned the opportunity for 500 women, men and children to march, not as a protest, but in unison to affirm that "women's rights are human rights".

South Lake Tahoe, Calif. - No need to head to the Capital for the Women's March on Washington, South Lake Tahoe will have their own march.

Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe has sanctioned the Lake Tahoe Bi-State Women's March on January 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Everyone is invited to walk in unity with all Americans to send a message to elected officials to protect constitutional values and the rights of women and targeted groups in the nation's diverse and vibrant communities.

The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority (LTVA) in partnership with NBC Sports and American Century Investments had over $110,000 to give out to South Lake Tahoe area groups, schools and non-profits after the end of the 2016 tournament.

They previously awarded $62,000 and is now looking for non-profits to get the remaining $51,984.

Applications from local nonprofits are now being accepted through Oct. 24 by LTVA for the grants.