Local Teen Wins Soroptimist Award

Genesis Garcia of Addison is this year’s winner of the Violet Richardson Award from the Soroptimist International of Suburban Chicago club.  A senior at Addison Trail High School, Genesis successfully balances her academic endeavors, extra- curricular and volunteer activities.  She joined Key Club as a freshman and has participated in many volunteer opportunities including:  food drives, wrapping presents for the holidays, playing bingo with the elderly, working at a food bank and cooking a meal for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. Genesis served as vice-president and this year as president of the Key Club.  She also participates in mentoring and tutoring programs at the school.  Genesis has been core leader for Operation: Teen Safe Driving and the Health and Wellness Program which promotes healthy eating.  She attended a leadership conference at Indiana University and currently serves on the Superintendent Student Advisory Board.

Genesis also belongs to a group called LADIES, a group of mostly Hispanic girls whose major project is GO PINK OR GO HOME.  The LADIES decorate the school in pink, sell handmade pink items (bracelets, hair bows, etc.) and face paint pink ribbons at games to make money for breast cancer awareness.  Genesis is also president of a local Best Buddies club.  Best Buddies® is a nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Soroptimist of Suburban Chicago is part of an international organization that supports women and girls.  The Violet Richardson Award is named after the president of the first Soroptimist club and honors girls (14-17) who are making a difference in their community through volunteer service. 

Genesis will receive a cash award at the annual Soroptimist reception in early May.  If you are interested in Soroptimist International of Suburban Chicago, please visit our web site, www.si-suburbanchicago.org which provides information about our organization other award programs.