Two Los Alamitos High School seniors were guests of honor at the Rossmoor-Los Alamitos Republican Women Federated Scholarship Afternoon Tea & Fashion Show held on Saturday, May 30 at the Eagle’s Nest Clubhouse at the Cypress Naval Golf Course.
Sarah Pisani, who received the club’s annual $1,000 scholarship, read her essay The Importance of Amendment 19. Dorothy Bannister, niece of founding member Dorothy Sharp, awarded the $500 Dorothy Sharp Memorial Scholarship to Madilyn Joseph, who read her essay The Success of Failure (as seen with the 21st Amendment).
Special guests included:
- Stacy Berry, Cypress Councilwoman (member)
- Pat Biggerstaff, President Seal Beach Republican Women Federated
- Jeffrey Ferguson, Orange County Supreme Court Judge
- Shelley Hasselbrink, Los Alamtios Councilwoman (member)
- Leroy Mills, Former Mayor of Cypress (associate member)
Afternoon of tea and fashion
From Mickey Mouse to a day at the beach to patriotic red, white and blue, hostesses decorated tables with unique themes. Guests were encouraged to bring their favorite tea cup to give tables a distinctive look and to wear their favorite hat.
The celebratory occasion, with more than 60 members and guests, included a Damon and Draper’s fashion show featuring casual, professional and evening wear – all modeled by members: Vicki Cowan, Patricia Eskenazi, Nancy Hathcock, Valerie Klimaszewski and Theresa Murphy.
Outside the ballroom, it was a shopper’s paradise with vendors selling an array of candles, jewelry, antiques, pocketbooks and accessories.
“Our members work very hard throughout the year on behalf of Republican politicians and causes,” said President Nancy Hathcock adding, “An event to give scholarships to college bound young people while having fun is the highlight of the year. There were countless members who contributed to the event’s success, but special thanks goes to Vice President Susan Short who coordinated the program.”
Short, who has done a phenomenal job of bringing outstanding speakers to the club’s monthly meetings, pointed out that the scholarship event is the club’s biggest fundraiser. “It took hours to put on this successful event,” Short said. “I want to thank everyone who helped make the day a success with special appreciation to Margene Walz who handled reservations.”
Donations raised at the scholarship event go toward future scholarships.
How Scholarship Recipients Were Selected
Seniors at Los Alamitos High School, Cypress High School, Oxford High School, Kennedy High School and Pacifica High School were invited to compete for the scholarships. Interested seniors provided information about their scholastic achievements and which college or university has accepted them. They submitted a 500-word essay about the amendment that means the most to them.
Join the Fun and Make a Difference
The National Federation of Republican Women is a grassroots organization that has been engaging and empowering women since 1938. The Rossmoor-Los Alamitos RWF welcomes Republican women from the surrounding areas to join their very active group. For more information please contact President Nancy Hathcock at Nancyhathcock@gmail.com or visit them on Facebook at Rossmoor/LosAlamitosRWF.
