Dare to Dream winners celebrated

Friday, May 29, 2009

This was proven on Thursday evening at the American Association of University Women's third annual Dare to Dream Awards at the Solomons Island Yacht Club.

This program awards grants up to $300 to three women from Calvert, Charles or St. Mary's county every year. It was designed for women older than 18.

"Sometimes a little lift can help," said program chair Anne Harrison, who is on the association's board of trustees. Harrison introduced each of the six grant recipients and was thrilled with the variety of goals each woman was looking to fulfill.

"The range this year is so wonderful. Art, education, service, healing; a wonderful combination," she said.

Shirley Steffey of Lusby will be using her grant money to help pay for a class that will allow her to attend nursing school; an endeavor that will mean a change in careers when she retires from the Calvert County government in three years.

"I like change and I like new things. And all my children have grown and they're successful in their lives … this is something I've always had to put aside to raise my children so it's my turn," Steffey said.

Huntingtown resident Susan Onofrio said that she will be using her grant as a means of enhancing an existing endeavor: a peer-led, self-help group for people living with depression or bipolar disorders.

"I did it for the group H.O.P.E. [Help Overcoming Paralyzing Emotions] … The purpose of the money that I won would be to advertise and reach out to as many people as possible," said Onofrio, a psychotherapist and advisor to H.O.P.E.

"What a boost to the ego," she marveled over winning a Dare to Dream Grant.

For one woman, Rosa Valladares of Lusby, the funding will help her fulfill a dream and become more in touch with her surroundings.

"I'm a city woman and coming here was a little hard to adjust … I thought I had to do something with what was around me," said Valladares, an artist who will be using her grant for an upcoming nature-related exhibition titled "Rock, Paper, Scissors."

Other honorees at the ceremony were Jennifer Spedden of Lusby who will be taking marketing classes in order to increase fundraising for the American Red Cross; Mary Ellen Steveling of Lusby who is beginning healing groups for individuals affected by cancer; and Gwendolyn Coleman of Chaptico who is using her funds to help study and pay for the Praxis I exam.

"I've been going to school for 10 years to be a school teacher and I need to take the certification exam … it is a goal because I have been out of school for a long time and I really enjoy working with kids," Coleman said. " … I hope to come back next year and tell you I completed my certification."

lbuck@somdnews.com