THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 17, 1995 TAG: 9511170562
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER ANDERSON, HIGH SCHOOL CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines
THE ELIMINATION of racism. The empowerment of women. Both of these are tall orders for anyone to fill, but as part of National YWCA Teen Week, the YWCA of South Hampton Roads is recognizing 20 young women from local high schools who are working toward these goals.
``This is our way of reaching out to the public and letting them know that we want to help our teens,'' YWCA youth program director Marlene Joe said.
Each year the YWCA honors young women selected by schools in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake and Suffolk. After a series of applications and interviews, two of the women receive a $350 Teen Woman Community Service scholarship. Originally, the scholarships were started to help women 30 years and older receive a college education. About five years ago, the program was changed to benefit younger women.
Kate Farley, a senior at Kellam High School, is being recognized this year for her work on women's issues.
``I've been involved with women's rights for a long time,'' said Kate, who attended her first rally, a pro-choice rally, at age 13. Since then, she has also attended a ``Stop the Violence Against Women'' rally. She is a member of the National Organization for Women and Food Not Bombs, an organization that protests military spending by feeding the homeless.
In addition to working toward the empowerment of women and promoting racial harmony, candidates must also display scholarship, leadership and concern for peers.
``I think this program has helped to show that women are becoming more respected,'' Princess Anne senior Mayuri Lakdawala said. ``It's great how they're recognizing teens who educate their community about different races.''
Mayuri was nominated as a result of her academic standing, her extensive extracurricular and volunteer activities and her leadership ability. Among other things, she is honor society president, Spanish honor society treasurer, forensics team secretary and the student government's city-wide representative. She has also volunteered as a tutor for students at Malibu Elementary, as a neighborhood leader for the American Heart Association and as a candy striper at Bayside Hospital.
At a banquet Thursday night, Mayuri, Kate and all the other candidates were recognized for their achievements. Judges awarded the two scholarships to Crystal Lipscomb of Lake Taylor High School and Tina Gwaltney of Lakeland High School. This year's judges were five local women: Tessie Serrano, agency coordinator of Volunteer Connection; Carolyn Lincoln, president of Baby Steps, Inc.; Jarma Talbert, coordinator for STOP organization; Mary Jo Barnes, volunteer; and Jill Ferguson, volunteer.
``It's a great program to help these young girls. It gives them self-esteem (and) it focuses on issues,'' Joe said.
``They're all winners; they're representing their school and that's an honor.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Jennifer Anderson is a Princess Anne senior
Graphic
THE WINNERS
YWCA 13th Annual Teen Recognition Dinner Winners 1995
Dianna Golt - Oscar Smith High School
Candace Jackson - Maury High School
Kathleen Bolcar - First Colonial High School
LaKesha Harris - Booker T. Washington High School
Kellee Chambers - Woodrow Wilson High School
Karen Baranski - Green Run High School
Crystal Lipscomb - Lake Taylor High School
Delaina Richardson - Great Bridge High School
Nicole Frye - Indian River High School
Tina Gwaltney - Lakeland High School
Jill Bruner - Churchland High School
Farrah Deleon - Salem High School
LaKeisha Phelps - Norview High School
Mayuri Lakdawala - Princess Anne High School
Gladys Ruth Mangaliag - Granby High School
Jessica Carlton - Bayside High School
Meredith Gauthier - Norfolk Collegiate School
Kate Farley - Kellam High School
Chandelle Parker - I.C. Norcom High School
Ashley Marshall - Deep Creek High School
by CNB