2024 Michelene (Micki) Weisbarth
Memorial Award Recipients

Karina Page Rousseau

Born and raised in Newport, Karina is the loving mother of two beautiful boys, ages 10 and 5. She is a proud graduate of the Newport School District, where she earned her high school diploma and a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in 2013. After graduation, she continued her studies, completing her nursing degree in 2016, and worked at a surgical center in Spokane. She chose to return to Newport after nine years away to buy a home and raise her children in our community.

Since the age of 13, Karina dreamed of becoming a mortician. She is currently attending Des Moines University, working on her degree in Mortuary Science, and has served as a funeral director with Sherman-Campbell Funeral Home for the past two years. Completing this degree will provide Karina with her embalming license, making her not just a funeral director but a mortician.

Congratulations Karina!

Roxann Wrynn

Roxann is a senior at Newport High School and this year’s valedictorian. She is an active member of her community, participating in student government, National Honor Society, and the Yearbook committee, while also working at the public library. Roxann enjoyed playing saxophone in her high school pep and concert bands. Her dedication to maintaining straight A's throughout high school has earned her the top spot in the class of 2024. Outside of school, Roxann can be found crocheting, drawing, or reading while listening to her favorite music. She was also honored as this year’s February Soroptimist Girl of the Month.

Roxann is honored to have had the opportunity to be a part of the Newport community. She would like to thank her parents for their support, her friends for always being there, and her teachers for being an inspiration. Roxann will attend the University of Washington in Seattle to earn her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. After completing a teaching degree, she looks forward to becoming a high school chemistry teacher.

Congratulations Roxann!

Micki O'Neill Weisbarth Memorial Award

The Micki O’Neill Weisbarth Memorial Award was established in 2022 to support women pursuing their education with financial need. Through generous donations, this annual award will provide assistance to recipients by helping offset tuition costs or to assist with day to day expenses so they can focus on reaching their dreams.The Micki O’Neill Weisbarth Memorial Award honors the late Michelene “Micki’ Weisbarth by investing in the education of women. Micki joined our local Newport chapter in December of 1990 and quickly was elected president, then district officer, and eventually Northwestern Region Secretary. Micki touched and impacted so many lives around her. Her favorite projects were the Live Your Dream Scholarship program and the local annual crab feed fundraiser. She served as local chairperson of the Live Your Dream award for multiple years as well as serving at the region level.Micki was involved in many areas of the community she loved. Her dedication to Soroptimist International of the Americas and the Newport chapter is a wonderful example of how one person can make a difference in the lives of so many.

Micki O’Neill Weisbarth

Memorial Award Application

Part 1: Applicant Information

DUE DATE: Applications and References must be received or postmarked by April 15, 2025 by 5pm. Not all applicants will be selected for awards.

Step 1: Determine if you are eligible.

Resides in Pend Oreille County or Bonner County
Are enrolled in or has been accepted to a high school equivalency program, vocational/skills training program, or an undergraduate degree program
Are motivated to achieve your education and career goals
Does not have a graduate degree
Has not previously received this award
Has financial need

Step 2: Review Privacy Statement

I understand that Soroptimist International of Newport (SI of Newport) will collect information set out in this application, and any other information I may have provided in support of this application, for the purposes of evaluating my eligibility for this award.

SI of Newport may also use my contact information to communicate with me, including to send follow-up emails.

I understand that my application may be submitted electronically for evaluation. I further understand SI of Newport may share my personal information with the Awards Committee/Judges, but will not share or include my personal information in any publication without my express permission.

SI of Newport may contact the persons who have provided references about me for confirmation of such references.

Signature

Signature field is empty.

Date

First name

Last name

Address

Phone

Date of Birth

Month

Day

Year

Marital Status

Highest level of education achieved, from where and when.

Number of Dependents you support (not including yourself):

How are they related to you (children, spouse, parents, etc.):

Ages (if they are children):

Part 2: What are your educational and career goals?

What is the name of the school or training program you are currently attending or have been accepted into?

What are you studying? (example: Bachelor of Science nursing degree or computer science certificate)

When do you expect to complete your studies (month and year)?

Are you working while you are getting your education (check one)?

Yes

If yes, where and how many hours do you work a week?

In 300 words or less, please tell us about your career goals, and give specific information about how your education and training support these goals. (Please use a separate sheet of paper as necessary to submit your answer.)

Part 3: Financial Information

The Micki O’Neill Weisbarth Memorial Award recipient will be chosen in part based on financial need. Please share information about your annual income and expenses. Please be as specific as you can.

A. Income: Please list your ANNUAL household income and savings below (from money you have left after taxes). If you do not have an amount please enter "0".

Employment (per year)

Savings (per year)

Child Support (per year)

Alimony (per year)

Government Assistance (per year)

Social Security (per year)

Loans (per year)

Scholarships (per year)

Please list all additional income sources; including income other household members receive.

Total Annual Income (add up all fields above)

Expenses: Please list your ANNUAL household expenses below:

Housing (per year)

Food (per year)

Childcare (per year)

Tuition (per year)

Utilities (per year)

Medical (per year)

Transportation (per year)

Books (per year)

Please list all additional expenses.

Total Annual Expenses (add up all fields above)

Part 4: Tell us more about yourself.

The Micki O’Neill Weisbarth Memorial Award was developed to financially assist women in Pend Oreille County, Washington and Bonner County, Idaho to achieve their educational and career goals. Applicants for this award must be enrolled in, or accepted into, an undergraduate degree or vocational skills training program, including on-line study programs.

Consideration for this award will be given in part based upon financial need, as well as upon the applicant’s overall life situation. When determining who will receive this award, we will take into account your goals and how you are working toward achieving them, your commitment to your education, your past challenges and successes, and anything else you feel is important for us to be aware of.

In this section, you have the opportunity to tell us more about yourself.

In 750 words or less, please let us know how this award would benefit you, and why you feel you are a good applicant for it. Feel free to include any information about yourself that you think is pertinent for us to know.

Part 5: Community Service

In 300 words or less, please describe the community service activities you have been involved in. Include the duration of your involvement, your specific role(s), and the impact you believe your service had on the community.

References

You will need at least one person – who is not related to you – to fill out the reference form. It is recommended that you request references from people who know you from an education or work setting. Only one reference is required but a maximum of two references will be accepted. Please direct references to complete the form online at

https://www.siofnewport.com/micki-weisbarth-reference-form.

Application materials and the reference form(s) may be submitted via email or by mail to:

Soroptimist International of Newport

Attention: Micki O’Neill Weisbarth Memorial Award

PO Box 1892, Newport, WA, 99156 siofnewport@gmail.com

2025 Micki Weisbarth Application

2025 Weisbarth Award Reference Form.docx

For information on how you can donate to the Micki O’Neill Weisbarth Memorial Award fund or apply for the Award, contact Terri Miller, Treasurer, siofnewport@gmail.com.

2024 Michelene (Micki) Weisbarth Memorial Award Recipients