Local Scholarship News

Keeping In Touch Changes

Lori Mains, Keeping in Touch grant program chair, is resigning to prepare for her first grandson, Nathan, who will be born in November. She is also helping to care for her mother in Austin, Texas. Lori has done an excellent job streamlining the KIT program, making it possible for former scholarship winners to apply online for grants. The scholarship team will miss Lori’s technical and marketing skills and wish her well.

Alexandra Mandel will be taking over from Lori. Alexandra grew up in Morgan Hill and graduated from Live Oak High School. She majored in political science and psychology at UCLA and obtained a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Washington. Alexandra is currently completing an additional Master’s in School Psychology. She works as the Director of Services for Adriana San Milan Special Education Services. Alexandra is excited to continue to promote education for the women in our community in her new role as the Keeping in Touch chairperson.

Lauren Jenkins Healthcare Scholarship Winners Chosen for the 2021-2022 Academic Year

The Lauren Jenkins Healthcare scholarship was established in honor of deceased branch member, Dr. Lauren Jenkins, a geneticist. Lauren had a passion for science and worked extensively with young girls, teaching them STEM activities.

Mary Cox, Sophia Carrillo, winner of the Lauren Jenkins Healthcare Profession Scholarship. Susan Hines, Yessenia Reed, winner of the first Fritts Family STEM scholarship, Donna Dicker, and John Jenkins, Lauren Jenkins’ surviving husband

The 2021 winners of the scholarship were selected by a committee headed by Mary Cox. All three winners are nursing students.

Sophia Carrillo plans to attend nursing school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She chose the Wisconsin school for its reputation.

Breanna Casas and Tina Tran are in the nursing program at San Jose State. During the COVID shelter in place period Breanna volunteered at vaccination clinics while Tina worked with fellow nursing students to create a graphic pamphlet for children explaining the virus. The pamphlet turned out to be such a success that it is being used by the Health Dept. in Santa Clara County schools.

The committee includes Jennifer Tate, Joan Stempel, Donna Dicker, Sharon Frentner and John Jenkins.

Fritts Family STEM Scholarship – First Recipient!

Susan Oldham-Fritts, now Susan Hines is a STEM professional with a passion for education and mentoring women and girls in the fields of science and engineering. She has endowed a STEM scholarship in honor of her husband David who shared her commitment.

The first winner of the new scholarship is Yessenia Reed, a Live Oak graduate, who has fond memories of volunteering at the Wildflower Run for several years. She learned about how the Run benefits young women like herself firsthand. Yessenia is attending Howard University in Washington D.C. as a pre-med student. We wish her well. For questions, email