Young women carry torch of ambition

Gary Moskowitz

NORTHEAST GLENDALE -- Liseth Saravia, 17, came to tears when she stood

in front of about 100 people and spoke of her admiration for her “aunt,”

Janette Sosothikul.

Liseth was one of seven recipients at the Assistance League of

Glendale’s scholarship awards luncheon Tuesday who were given scholarship

money to help with the cost of attending college in the fall.

Liseth cried tears of joy as she thanked Sosothikul for giving her

mother, Maria Rivas -- then a single, Spanish-speaking mother from El

Salvador with two children -- a job and a home shortly after Liseth’s

birth.

“I only knew Spanish then, but she would read to us and was determined

to set a good example. I want to be just like her,” Liseth said. “My goal

is to become an ambassador, after becoming a colonel in the Air Force.”

Scholarships are awarded annually by the Assistance League of Glendale

to six deserving female students. This year a total of $6,500 was given

away in scholarships to graduates from Glendale high schools and two from

Glendale Community College.

Scholarships are given by the Assistance League based on community

service, school leadership and service and grade point average.

Recipients of awards at Tuesday’s luncheon were Cathryn Cutter and

Sheryl Mossessian of Glendale Community College, Nicole Abranian of

Glendale High School, Ovsanna Mkhcian of Hoover High School, Liseth

Saravia of Crescenta Valley High School, Jane Park of Clark Magnet High

School and Rocio Rodriguez, a Daily High School graduate who now attends

GCC.

The Assistance League of Glendale has 230 members. More than 100

attended Tuesday’s luncheon to honor the recipients.