Jet Set awards to help further women’s goals

Published 12:01 am Monday, April 8, 2013

PORT ANGELES — Soroptimist International of Port Angeles-Jet Set has presented the Violet Richardson Award, the Ruby Award and the Women’s Opportunity Awards for 2013.

The awards go to women who have either done something extraordinary or who are trying to better their lives.

— Port Angeles High School student Audra Perrizo received the Violet Richardson Award and was awarded $500.

— Jan Urfer, the $500 Ruby Award winner, was honored for her work at the Klahhane Gymnastics Center.

— Darcy Owens and Patricia Redel-Gormley both received Women’s Opportunity Awards.

Owens received $1,000, and Redel-Gormley was given $1,500.

Perrizo has volunteered more than 2,000 hours through her work with the Port Angeles Food Bank, Olympic Peninsula Meal Marathon, Olympic Peninsula Humane Society, North Olympic Discovery Marathon, Sequim Lavender Festival, Toys for Tots, Festival of Trees, Locks of Love and the Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival.

She is in the NJROTC program as well as the NJROTC Drill and Color Guard Team; a member of the PAHS Girls Swim and Dive Team, PAHS band and pep band, tennis, Port Angeles Swim Club and U16 Softball.

She also is an honor roll student.

Urfer was nominated by Jet Set member Katy Middlestead for her work with girls at the Klahhane Gymnastics Center, a nonprofit organization in Port Angeles.

Urfer said she plans to use the award money for staff training to directly affect the quality of the program the girls receive.

Owens is a single mother who plans to eventually open her own business.

She is pursuing a degree in administrative office systems at Peninsula College.

Owens said she knew if she wanted to provide the kind of life she wanted for her son, she needed more than just a job; she needed an education and a career.

She said it is important to her to be a positive role model for her son.

Redel-Gormley is working on a nursing degree through Peninsula College.

Nursing will be her second career; she spent several years in the banking industry.

Her application has been forwarded to the Soroptimist regional level.

She was formerly a member of the Jet Set’s Venture Club and served as president of that club.

Awards were presented Feb. 21.