Soroptimist International of Sequim has awarded the 2015 Ruth Mogan Memorial Scholarship of $2,000 to Rikki Parr and the Sequim Soroptimist Memorial $2,000 Scholarship to Sarah Thomas.

Soroptimists said Parr combines determination, focus and optimism in achieving her goals. She has been supporting herself through a full-time job at a local assisted living facility while managing to complete her school work.

Parr has taken the first steps toward her goal of becoming a nurse, taking some coursework online. She already has completed 60-plus hours of DSHS certification requirements as a health care assistant.

Soroptimists call Thomas a “hard working, empathetic, intelligent young woman.” As she entered her freshman year, she began to care for her younger siblings when her mother became ill. Through perseverance and dedication she has mastered a learning disability and is now a straight-A student.

Now she wants to help other children through the same process. Her goal is to get an associate degree from Peninsula Community College and then transfer to a four-year university to get a teaching certificate with a minor in special education.