On May 16th, the Soroptimist International Club of Cape May County announced their 2023 achievement awards of over $20,000 presented to eight outstanding women of Cape May County.
The Walter Evans Award
1. Sydney Greer is planning on attending North Carolina A &T this fall. She is a STEM student at Middle Township High School where she has been in the National Honor Society for 2 years. In addition to her impressive grades she makes time to volunteer in school and the community. Sydney is active in the Bible Cub,Key Club, Interact Club and the Red Cross.
2. Kaitlyn Crouthamel is a 17 year old senior at Lower Cape Regional High School who has called Cape May home her entire life. She is active in school and community service. She has participated in many 5Ks and triathalons. In addition to taking challenging AP classes she volunteers
at Clean Ocean summit and runs the Mickels Run Pet Drive. She will be attending Rowan University where she will continue her athletic and academic prowess.
Medical Award
1. Maria Gargan is preparing to graduate from the Practical Nursing Program at Cape May County Tech School in 8/2023. As well, she plans to continue her education to receive a BSN. A colleague describes Maria as wonderful, kind and compassionate. An instructor attests to her dependability, integrity and loyalty.
2. Christine Geiger has already proven herself as an exceptional BSN to the staff and patients at Cape Regional Medical Center. She does this with positivity, willingness, professionalism and a wealth of expertise. As affirmed by two colleagues. Christine is pursuing an Advance Practice Nurse degree with completion in 10/2023.
3. Moriah Nelson is also preparing to graduate from the Practical Nursing Program at Cape May County Tech School in 8/2023. Moriah described how she was humbled by an assignment with a dying patient. That day Moriah learned a lot more than clinical skills. Her references wrote of Moriah’s thoughtfulness, caring communications and academic and clinical accolades.
Kindle Business Award
Lily Lululock of Middle High School has been awarded the Presidential Volunteer Award pin, three times,
Her efforts with such organizations as Lunch with Lynch and Challenger Sports go back to 2015.
Lily has been a girl scout since age six and now is a National Council Delegate. She is a leader in Key Club, Student Council, Secretary of her class, and is captain of the varsity basketball and track & field teams.
With an impressive 5.0 cumulative average in advanced placement classes, Lily is headed to Fordham. Lily aspires to impact foreign economic policy.
Kindle Environmental Award
Logan Monteleone is graduating from Ocean City High year with distinguished honors. Logan is editor- in -chief of both the yearbook and the award-winning literary magazine. She is active in her church and the Historical Preservation Society of Upper Township, and OC’s Student Environmental Association.
Logan volunteers at Ocean Bayside Center working to maintain the oyster beds and aquariums.
As the only female mate on the Mighty Huron Charter boat in Great Egg Harbor, she puts her love of the ocean into action.
Logan will attend Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland to study environmental science. Her goal is to combine future law study to help form and impact environmental policies on a national and global scale.
Violet Richardson Award
This award program recognizes girls, ages 14-18, who are making a difference through volunteer service.
1. Caroline Craig is graduating from LCMR High School this year. She is in the National Honor Society,
Caper Tigers Head Varsity Wrestling Manager, Future Business Leaders of America, Key Club,
Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Homecoming Queen and American Red
Cross Blood Drive Leader to name a few of her activities and achievements.
She will be attending Virginia Tech University this fall focusing on Business
2. Julia Brown is graduating from Wildwood Catholic Academy this year. She is in the National Honor Society, Founder and President of Key Club, Flutist for the John Walter Civic Band, Sunday School Teacher at St Brendan the Navigator Parish, Tennis Player at WCA, Golfer at WCA, Volunteer for ENGin (teaching English to citizens of Ukraine) and Cheerleader at WCA are afew of her activities and achievements.
Julia will be attending Seton Hall University this fall in the six year B.S. and J.D. Diplomacy and Juris Doctorate program
Ruby Award
The Ruby Award honors a woman who is making extraordinary differences in the lives of women and girls. Honorees’ work has had significant impact and inspires and encourages other women.
Maddie McCracken is 21 years old and a graduate of Wildwood High School. While there, she was a tri athlete competing in soccer, track, and basketball. Maddie was a 2000-point scorer as a member of the Wildwood Warriors Varsity basketball team and also broke numerous track records.
Maddie then went on to complete her bachelor’s degree at Stockton University in two and a half years and is currently working on her Master’s in Business Administration. Maddie currently runs the Step Back Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide athletic equipment and other necessities to local athletes and families who may need financial assistance. The purpose of Step Back is to motivate and inspire young children to become part of a team, club or organization which helps to build self-love, poise and confidence. As someone who has struggled with mental health issues, Maddie understands the importance of belonging and community when dealing with such issues. The Step Back Foundation was the 2022 Best of Jersey Shore Non-Profit Organization Gold Winner and partners with various other organizations to improve our community. The Step Back’s Foundation mantra is “each day do good and be good.”
Live Your Dream Award
The organization's major project, this program assists women by giving them the resources they need to improve their education, skills and job prospects.
1. Carla Drake is enrolled at Atlantic Cape Community College and working toward becoming a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. After completion of her classes in May, she plans to start her internship at a nearby treatment center.
She currently is employed as a National Certified Peer Support specialist at a Recovery Center and also sees patients in the Hospital that are struggling with drugs or alcohol issues. She also volunteers on the Overdose Response Team with our local police department and goes on drug and alcohol outreach calls with the organization Hope One. She does all of this while raising her 2 daughters and showing them “anything is possible if you just work hard and believe in yourself”.
Carla was most recently honored as the first place winner of the “Live Your Dream” award at the North Atlantic Region Soroptimist International Conference in Scranton, Penn. in April!
2. Daynna Wilson is attending Cape May Tech and pursuing the Cosmetology program with expected completion in June. She also is pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work degree online through the University of Phoenix with expected completion September 2024. She has worked for 20 years as a certified nursing assistant while raising 4 children. Her goal is to combine all of her skills and education to help and empower others in her community by providing and finding resources for them and their families.
3. Barbara Watt is attending CM Tech and enrolled in the LPN program with expected completion in August 2023. Becoming a licensed practical nurse is her lifelong passion and once she gains the nursing experience , her dream is to become a registered nurse. She has been employed as a medical assistant while raising her two children.
4. Esthefany Tunon is attending Atlantic City Community College and pursuing an associates degree with expected completion in December 2024. She is pursuing a career as a legal assistant / paralegal. Esthefany hopes to be the first in her family to graduate college in the U.S. She wants to help others that do not have enough money to acquire legal help. Esthefany wants to “encourage her 3 year old son by giving him a great example that your dreams can come through if you work hard enough”.