Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, a member of Young Women’s Preparatory Network, was a celebratory place on May 10 when 10 graduating seniors received a $1,000 scholarship from Altrusa International Downtown Dallas Foundation, Inc. The Reagan Lorenzen Service Scholarship is given in memory of this well-loved Altrusa member who served as president twice and supported literacy and education, particularly that of women. Representing the family were her husband, Peter Lorenzen, and daughter Kassie who helped give out the scholarships.

Irma Rangel’s junior quartet opened the ceremony by performing “The Boat Madrigal” by Porter.

Beth Brown, chair of the Irma Rangel Advisory Council, and Lisa Curry, principal, welcomed everyone to the school and thanked Altrusa for its generous scholarships for its students.

LaVone Arthur, trustee of the Altrusa Foundation, remarked, “I want to thank the donors, especially the members of the Reagan Lorenzen family, for supporting us.”

Holly Roundtree, past Altrusa Foundation trustee, gave reflections on Reagan’s life. “She passionately represented the empowerment of single gender schools having attended an all female high school and sending her two daughters to an all-girls school. She would have encouraged all of you to pursue your dreams of education.”

Ann Marano, Irma Rangel College Bound Advisor, enthusiastically introduced each senior recipient with her academic and community accomplishments as well as where she will attend college:

Samantha Ascencio – University of Texas at Dallas

Angela Chavez – Schreiner University

Martha Gallegos – University of Texas at Dallas

Denise Garcia – Iowa State University

Maria Garcia – Texas Woman’s University

Rubi Hernandez – University of Houston

Katherine Larios – University of Houston

Alexandra Lopez – Earlham College

Aloma Lopez – University of Pennsylvania

Gizehv Ramirez – Texas State University, San Marcos

Founded in 2002, the Young Women’s Preparatory Network is a nonprofit agency that partners with public school districts in Texas to operate the largest network of all-girls, public, college preparatory schools in the nation (http://youngwomensprep.org/).

Altrusa is a service organization for civic-minded people who strive to create better communities with a focus on helping women and children by performing service projects to fulfill its mission of “Educating Families for a Better Future” (http://www.altrusadtd.com).