Trenton Soroptimists Honor Award Recipients and Members

Soroptimist International of Trenton Area celebrated the induction of five new members: Cecelia Beaty, Mary Booth, Tracey Clarke, Chelsea Dobija, and Veronica Drakos. The evening’s ceremony began with Lani Weslow’s timely invocation.

Former president and membership chairperson, Linda Crisi, also presented the induction of the new 2020-2022 officers: President Abby Premoe, President-elect Lani Weslow, Vice-president Cathy Infantado, Secretary Kim Bondy, and Treasurer Chris Speedie. The immediate past-president is Karen Collins. The new board of directors include Diane McDowell, Tessa Smith, and Nancy Nagle.

Linda Crisi then distributed several perfect attendance certificates before presenting five-year membership pins to Kim Budz, Brigette Rizzuto, and Cathy Infantado. Marty Evans and Donna Fickeisen both earned their 35-year pins, and Nada Frost obtained her 40-year anniversary pin.

Karen Collins presented Janelle Rose the “Rookie of the Year” award for her positive attitude and kind words to all. Tessa Smith was given the “Key Member” award for always being ready to step up to tasks and to be the first to volunteer. Last year’s winner, Cathy Infantado, wrote the presentation of our most important award, the Soroptimist of the Year, for Chris Speedie. Chris is the backbone of our club, not only as our treasurer for many of her thirty-eight years as a member, but as our “go-to” person in all things Soroptimist. What she doesn’t know, she finds out! In turn, Cathy was given a plaque to commemorate her as last year’s recipient.

The annual scholarship awards commemoration was postponed from March due to the coronavirus, so the recipients were feted in conjunction with the installation ceremony. Three award winners, Ashley Jones of Ypsilanti, as the Live Your Dream Education and Training Award winner; the Virginia Wagner Educational Award winner, Artiesha Powe of Detroit; and the Soroptimist Prime award recipient, Mia Moberly of Trenton High School, were honored as well.

SI of Trenton Area also gave special recognition to the Trenton Trib and The News-Herald. Part of the efforts of Soroptimist is to bring awareness of women’s issues to the forefront. We need media to do that. Some of the many charity fundraisers of which we sponsor are the annual motorcycle run, “Battle for Freedom,” “Mommy and Me Tea Party,” and our Dress Re-sale. Since our club includes the downriver communities of Trenton, Gibraltar, Grosse Ile, Woodhaven, Brownstown, and Riverview, the perfect spot to make those fundraisers known is through our local newspapers, the Trenton Trib and The News Herald. They have published those events and have announced several of our other awards and achievements. SI of Trenton Area is grateful to the editors who have been so supportive of our endeavors. Kathy Kane of the Trenton Trib and Joe Gray of The News Herald “Downriver Life” section have always been generous with giving SI of Trenton Area a place in their publications to help us to achieve our public awareness goals. Each editor received a certificate of appreciation.

If you are interested in learning more about the Trenton Area Soroptimists and our other activities, checkout our page on Facebook@Soroptimist Trenton, MI or sioftrentonarea@sbcglobal.net.