Violet Richardson Award
     Soroptimist International of Billings has selected Jamie Davies as their 2006 Violet Richardson Award winner. The Violet Richardson Award is a recognition program for young women ages 14-17 engaged in volunteer action within their communities or schools. The award is in honor of the president of the first Soroptimist club, Violet Richardson, a woman of action, whose indomitable spirit and sense of personal responsibility were demonstrated by her lifelong commitment to volunteering in her community.
   Jamie Davies is a busy seventeen-year-old in Billings, MT Committed to making the world a better place, Jamie volunteers her spare time to First Tee of Montana, The Billings Food Bank and Family Services. At First Tee, she is involved with teaching young girls and boys the game of golf, while teaching them nine core values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment. She believes these helpful skills will benefit them later in life long after the game is over. She says she loves the outdoors and tries t o spend as much of her spare time enjoying nature as possible.
     Jamie also volunteers at the Food Bank and at Family Services, helping organize donated food and distribute food to needy families. "Providing nutritious food helps those in need have one less thing to worry about", she states.
     She resides in Billings with her parents, and has one grown brother who lives in Bozeman. A senior at Skyview High School, she is beginning her final semester of studies, and, in addition to all her studies and her work on the golf team, she is applying for entrance into one of Montana's universities, planning to pursue a career in physical therapy. She also recently took a job with Nova One, and "learning the ropes" of working the telephones.

Women’s Opportunity Award
     Our $1000 Women's Opportunity Award winner is Heidi Noelle Harris, a single mother of a three and a half year old boy from here in Billings. She is currently working part-time as a nursing assistant and  pursuing a career in nursing at Montana State University. She has had some obstacles to overcome grade wise in order to be accepted into the program - since as she states, she didn't put forth her best effort when her parents were footing the bill.
     Upon entering school her GPA was only a 2.68. She has since brought that GPA up to a 3.78 and been on the Deans list for two semesters. She states she has a desire and drive to help others and is trying to fulfill that goal in a number of ways, one of which is applying to volunteer at the Care Net crisis pregnancy center. She hopes to be able to use her nursing degree later as an asset to the center. She is also interested in missions work and feels that her nursing degree will be an important aspect in this field.
     Her focus at this time is being the best mom, student, and employee she can be. She plans to graduate by December 2008. Heidi's application has now been forwarded on to the Northwestern Region for Region judging.

The Fellowship Award
The Fellowship Award is for students that hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree from and accredited college or university; and, present a plan of worthwhile post graduate study, leading to an advanced degree or to enhanced standing or competence in her business or profession. This year’s recipient is Vanessa "Erin" Browning.  Erin is a native of Billings, 27, and a special education teacher at Highland Elementary School for the last three years. She received her undergraduate degree from MSU-Billings and is now enrolled there to obtain her masters degree in Special Education.
     Ms. Browning’s work with children of special needs is “innovative, inviting and fun” according to her principal for the past three years. She was recognized last year with the Golden Apple Award and also by Channel 8 television as an All-Star Teacher. She is a skilled advocate for children with special needs and helps with fundraising activities, as well. She has worked for several years with STEP and with the Eagle Mount as a volunteer, assisting with children and adults involved in these programs.
     Ms. Browning’s passion for encouraging and uplifting those who have special learning needs exemplifies the model of devotion to others we set as our standard at SIB.