The Heartland Family Service Ruth K. Solomon Girls
Center hosted its 20th Annual Scholarship Awards luncheon on Saturday,
October 6, 2007 at the Scoular Ballroom in Omaha. Keynote speaker
was Dominique Dawes, Olympic gymnastic gold medalist, Broadway actress,
television analyst and past president of the Women’s Sports
Foundation.
Dominique spoke to more than 200 attendees. $1,000
scholarships for post-secondary education were awarded to two young
women, Taricka Fairgood and Catherine T. Goodwin. Achievement awards
were presented to Shaylyn Bradley, 12 years old and Enala Mosley,
10 years old, current members of the Center.
Dawes Inspired the Audience
Dominique’s inspiring message: “Success
is a journey, not a destination” is part of Dominique’s
focus on youth and women's’ health issues and women’s
participation in sports. She spoke of the home and friends she found
at the gymnastics center, and how she watched Olympic athletes and
dared to think she could be like them.
She remembered when she said that the work was too
hard, and her coach told her that she better call her parents to
come after her. He coach told her that to be a champion was hard
work, and maybe she wasn’t tough enough—she had better
decide for herself how hard she wanted to work to win. After that,
she leaned how to make “stepping-stone goals” in order
to reach her peak performance.
She talked about falling at the ’96 Olympics,
and feeling like it was the end of the world. But she learned that
“ . . .it doesn’t matter if you fall or if you make
a mistake, you just keep going on.”
Ms. Dawes told the girls that there were four things
they needed:· A passion for their interest
· A plan to succeed
· Persistence to keep trying
· At least one positive adult who will push them to achieve.
“Don’t compare yourself to anyone else,” she said.
“Be who you are—you are unique—there is no one
like you.”
Scholarship Recipients and Awardees
Taricka Fairgood graduated from Northwest
High and is currently working on a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications
from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Her goal is to obtain
employment where she can contribute her customer service and communication
skills.
A quick learner, Taricka has great analytical skills
and is a very diligent worker. Taricka was a member of Solomon Girls
Center during her early elementary, junior high and senior high
school years. She was very active at Solomon and was a great role
model to the young ladies. One could always find Taricka talking
and encouraging young ladies on how to be respectful and courteous.
In the past, Taricka was employed at the Solomon Girls
Center as program specialist and group leader. As a group leader,
she leads girls from the ages of 5-16 years old in daily activities,
such as sports, games and fun. Through the Center, she developed
a great love for working with children.
Catherine T. Goodwin graduated from Northwest
High School. She attended Metropolitan Community College where she
participated in Trio’s Single Parent Homemaker Program. She
now attends the University of Nebraska at Omaha and plans to graduate
in December, 2007.
Catherine is currently student-teaching third grade
at Druid Hill Elementary School. She demonstrates strong leadership
ability and high potential for success. Catherine’s goal is
to become an elementary school teacher. She chose elementary education
as her field of study because she will be teaching our future generation.
She attended Solomon Girls Center during her elementary
and junior high years. Catherine made many friends who not only
attended Solomon Girls Center but were also classmates at her school.
She believes that education is the key to success and without going
to college; her goals would have been hard to achieve. Her family
values education and Catherine believes that through hard work and
dedication, you can achieve many great things in life.
|
