Soroptimist awards $21,100 in scholarships to Union County students

Eight Union County students will share $21,100 in Soroptimist scholarships, a round of aid that can make the difference between staying enrolled and putting college, community college or job training on hold. The awards are spread across health care, university study and trade and vocational training, sending local money to students at the point where post-high school costs start adding up fast.

Soroptimist International of La Grande announced the scholarships on May 27, 2026. The recipients are Brianna Brown, Samantha Wise, Dylann Justice, Sayge Johnson, Maylie Eby, Elizabeth Carpenter, Elizabeth “Ellie” Turley and Emersyn Miller.

The scholarships named in the program include the Gerry Braseth-Palmer Memorial Medical Scholarship, the Senior University Student Scholarship, a Continuing Education, University or Community College Scholarship, and awards for graduating high school students pursuing either trade or vocational training or a university or community-college path. That mix shows a local pipeline built to support young women heading into different kinds of education, not just a single four-year track.

The club said its spring 2026 scholarship applications were open through April 3, and the available awards ranged from $2,500 to $5,000 depending on the scholarship. That annual cycle matters for Union County families planning ahead: Soroptimist has used the same spring schedule in consecutive years, so students aiming for next year should watch for the next application window and be ready to show that they are women in Union County starting, continuing or finishing post-high school education or training.

Soroptimist International of the Americas says its Live Your Dream Awards can be used for books, childcare, tuition and transportation, a reminder of how many costs stand between students and a degree or certificate. The organization says it has distributed more than $49 million in education grants since 1972, with annual awards totaling about $3.4 million for more than 2,200 women worldwide.

For La Grande and the rest of Union County, the latest awards point to a practical kind of local support: money that stays close to home, backs young women at different stages of school and training, and helps keep education within reach when budgets are tight.