Dana Point Women’s Club Awards Six Scholarships to Female Grads

Dana Point Women’s Club has a long tradition of supporting literacy and education. At its May 1st meeting, the nonprofit awarded six $1500 grants to deserving female graduates from local schools in 2025 who are planning to attend a four-year college, community college or trade school, earned GPAs of 3.0 or greater and submitted a 300 word essay describing a challenge they have overcome. A six-member Scholarship Committee, Co-chaired by Betty Hill and Carol Kelly, reviewed 22 applications, considering academics, extra curricular activities, leadership, public service, athletics and a number of other factors including financial need.

Scholarship Committee Co-Chair Hill said, “the committee was thrilled with the applications we received this year and are delighted to make these awards to girls who have really shone on and off campus with impressive academic records and a wide variety of philanthropic, cultural, artistic and athletic activities. We were so pleased that we were able to double our impact this year offering six scholarships instead of our usual three because there were so many deserving candidates.” For its traditional awards, the Committee chose three girls with outstanding academic and extra-curricular records - Millie Lagunas, Leslie Marquina Perez and Annmarie Marrow all of whom are graduating from Dana Hills High School and heading to college.

The Women’s Club was able to add two more scholarships thanks to a generous contribution from the Bernie and Tina Fornadley Giving Fund which sponsored scholarships for two graduates pursuing further education in engineering. The Fornadley’s had originally planned to offer one scholarship, but they were so impressed with outstanding scholars Anusha Misra and Eva McClory, that they decided to double their contribution.

The sixth award is the first annual Ann Austin Romano Memorial Scholarship, which will be offered in each of the next 10 years to a female graduate who resides in Capistrano Beach. DPWC Board member, Toni Nelson, who established the memorial fund in honor of her neighbor and friend, Ann Romano, a strong advocate for “Capo” Beach who passed away last year. “I was thrilled to receive four applications from very worthy candidates who live in our small community. Kristel stood out because of her strong academics, devotion to promoting Latina culture and her support of AVID students at San Clemente High School, and I think Ann would be very pleased that she received the inaugural award in her honor”, said Nelson.

The six graduates also received recognition certificates from Vice Chair and 5th District Orange County Supervisor, Katrina Foley, an Honorary DPWC Member, represented by District Associate Abby Paulson.

Dana Point Women's Club has served the South Orange County community since 1951. Women interested in membership are urged to visit DPWC’s website to learn more and contact the Club’s Membership Chair. Community House serves as DPWC’s Clubhouse, and also as a local venue for meetings, parties and events to help maintain the building and fund the non-profit’s philanthropies. Contact info@communityhousedp.org or call 949-284-6415 for more information regarding venue rentals.