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The Seaside Branch of the American Association of University Women present
SOME SPRING, SOME BLING AND MORE
By MARILYN GILBAUGH
FOR COAST WEEKEND
nce upon a time, in the magical
kingdom of County Clatsop, in
the village of Seaside and its
surrounds, a group of women
gathered about once a week,
sometimes more, sometimes less. With
boundless energy, they did good deeds, all
the while enjoying themselves.
Their common goal was to further educa-
tion — and they paid particular attention to
the positive effects that women could realize
through education.
This tale is, of course, about the American
Association of University Women Seaside
Branch.
From 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 28, at
Astoria Golf and Country Club in Warrenton
(33445 Sunset Beach Rd.), the association
will host its second annual Spring into Fash-
ion, a fashionable fundraiser and raffle that
comes with desserts, coffee, tea, lemonade
and a no-host bar.
Attendees can expect royal treatment.
Ferried from parking lot to the Club’s entry
in carriages that look a lot like golf carts,
handsome liverymen — that is, gentlemen
persuaded to join the fun — set the stage. Up-
stairs, women, men, teenagers and children
strut their stuff modeling spring’s latest styles.
All of this is made possible because of
local clothiers, sponsors and volunteers.
DANNY MILLER/EO MEDIA GROUP
Seaside School District Superintendent
Sheila Roley — the recipient of this year’s
Breaking Barriers scholarship through the
AAUW Seaside Branch — hugs students
during a Seaside High School graduation
ceremony at the Seaside Convention Center.
ment. Learning to navigate the world outside
of a school setting, she hopes to show them
things like the Portland Art Museum, and
other things that they wouldn’t otherwise be
necessarily exposed to.
History of associations
The American Association of University
Women is a national organization, founded
more than 175 years ago, that works to ad-
vance the equity for women and girls through
advocacy, education, philanthropy and
research. Membership is open to any woman
who has an Associate Degree or equivalent.
The association’s Seaside Branch was
established more than 75 years ago when it
broke from the Astoria Branch in World War
II because of gasoline shortages. The two
branches often combine efforts.
Sheila Roley: breaking barriers
The organization’s Breaking Barriers
scholarship award will also be presented
during the afternoon event. This year, it will
go to Seaside School District Superintendent,
Sheila Roley. The award is given to a local
woman or girl who exemplifies the associa-
tion’s mission to make a recognizable impact
on women and girls in the area through equity
and education.
Roley came from Seattle with her husband
and their three elementary-aged children. She
agreed to give the area a three-year try. That
was 27 years ago. The former Seaside teacher
and principal was appointed district superin-
tendent in March 2016.
“Caring about our students’ education, the
community support for it here is remarkable.
It’s so good at so many different levels. When
you look at how many things are always go-
ing on: the school board and their great com-
mitment to our kids; the Assistance League
providing clothes; the Backpack Program;
Tickets
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Models Rinda Shea and Christine Miles for the Seaside AAUW Spring into Fashion Show.
the Aspire program; the SMART program;
one-on-one mentoring for our students; and
the business community providing things like
the Clatsop County Job Fair. So many pieces
come together. The examples go on and on,”
Roley said.
“I feel very honored to be receiving this
award,” she continued. “I had no idea. It came
as a total surprise.”
Roley will receive a $500 Breaking
Barriers scholarship and plans to award her
scholarship to the work Natalie Dyroff is
doing at Broadway Middle School.
Dryoff, a counselor, is working with a
group of young women exposing them to
opportunities beyond their school environ-
Tickets to the afternoon Spring into Fash-
ion are $30 for adults and $20 for students.
Proceeds go to support the Seaside Branch
scholarship efforts.
Fair warning: Last year the event proved
to be so popular that it oversold. This year,
tickets will not be sold at the door the day of
the event; they are available at Beach Books
in Seaside, By the Way in Gearhart, Cannon
Beach Book Company and at Astoria Golf
and Country Club.
For more information contact co-chairs
Carol Brenneman at carolbrenneman350@
gmail.com or Judy Carder at amcjcc@msn.
com.