Local PEO chapter opening doors with scholarships

One of the most rewarding projects of PEO, Philanthropic Education Organization, is to award scholarships to young women throughout the world. Local chapter J.T. has the unique pleasure of offering $500 scholarships to high school seniors from Wasco and Shafter high schools who have been accepted to four-year colleges.

This year, three outstanding young women, Brisedia Ruiz, Airam Sotelo, and Yolanda Bailey, were selected based on their academic achievements, extracurricular activities and recommendations.

Brisedia Ruiz from Wasco High has been active in FFA and hopes to become a livestock veterinarian, fostering her love for animals and passion for agriculture. She will attend UC Davis, pursuing a bachelor's degree in animal science and management.

Airam Sotelo from Shafter High School has been involved in numerous extracurricular activities, including cross country and track and field. This fall she will be attending UCLA as a mathematics major, her dream come true. She hopes to pursue a career in mathematics or medicine.

Yolanda Bailey, also from Shafter High, is an active participant in school activities and volunteer in the community. She will pursue pre-med classes at UCLA, majoring in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology. She also will major in Spanish, enabling her to communicate clearly with future patients.

J.T. members are very proud of these girls and their aspirations and for giving PEO an opportunity to open doors and create endless possibilities for young women through education. We will continue to offer them support and encouragement.