Soroptimist International of Whittier is honoring and naming five students from Rio Hondo College as winners of $15,000 in Live Your Dreams scholarships. This program focuses on assisting single mothers who are focusing on pursuing higher education dreams.

This year’s winners were commemorated at a March 14th lunch. The winners are Charlotte Bannister, Heather Estrada, Sophia Tortoleto, Lorena Roknipour, and Leah Nolan. Bannister will receive $5,000 as well as receiving an advance to a regional competition. The other students will each receive scholarships of  $2,500.

All women who have won participate in the Rio Hondo College’s Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOP&S) and Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education Programs (CARE) that assist students who have language, social and economic disadvantages.