Race Across the West Scholarships

Sylvia with Borrego High School Senior Students

Racing Across the West for Borrego Springs High School Seniors

In less than 2 weeks, our very own Soroptimist Sister Sylvia Maas will be making a 930-mile bike trek from Oceanside Pier to Durango, Colorado. And she’s raising money for Borrego Springs High School seniors as she rides!

Race Across the West (RAW) was started in 2008 and is one of the most challenging of the domestic RAAM qualifying races. It is quickly becoming a global race, having had over 10 countries represented.

Racers will make their first time station stop at Christmas Circle on June 14, around 5 p.m., right here in Borrego Springs!

Sylvia Maas, Cyclist

Racing for Borrego High School Seniors

After moving here last year, Sylvia joined Soroptimist of Borrego Springs and began to volunteer with seniors at Borrego Springs High School, helping students fill out scholarship applications for colleges, junior colleges, and vocational programs.

“Equity in education is a hot topic that came to the forefront during COVID. Borrego Springs High School is a perfect example of the imbalances that plague small rural towns,” Sylvia says, “From lack of reliable internet access, to language barriers between school-student-home-applications, these inequities are real. Typically counseling departments deal with college and scholarship applications, however Borrego Springs High School has no counselor, adding to students challenges.

Race Across the West High School Senior Scholarships

Sylvia merged her passion for cycling and education equity into purpose: she’s raising money for Borrego Springs High School seniors through our Race Across the West High School Senior Scholarship Fund.

The purpose of this endeavor is to provide scholarships to students to help with the initial expenses of college including: moving, transportation, computer, and other needs. Each scholarship will be for $1000. An anonymous donor has offered to match these scholarships up to $10,000! The recipients will receive the funds shortly before they begin college in the fall.

Your donation will help get students started on their next phase of life with the confidence and conviction that is shared by their peers.

Sylvia says, “My hope is to have multiple scholarship recipients. Any help you can give is appreciated!”

You can donate to our Borrego Springs High School Senior Scholarship Fund today! Select “Race Across the West HS Senior Scholarship” at our donation PayPal. All donations to Soroptimist are tax deductible.

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