The Elsinore Woman’s Club 2026 scholarship recipients pose for a photo during the awards presentation. From left are Haylee Harwood, Roxanna Osorio, Erik Cardenas, Enrique Valdovinos and Juan Ramirez. (Photo by Emily Baierl)
The Elsinore Woman’s Club awarded eight scholarships to graduating seniors across the Lake Elsinore Unified School District on June 11.
Each recipient received a $1,000 scholarship. Following the club’s general meeting, students and their family members were invited to the clubhouse for lunch and an awards presentation.
The club has awarded scholarships to local students for more than 100 years, providing more than $350,000 in financial assistance through funds raised by its members.
“The Woman’s Club has always had a heart for education and supporting women,” said Elsinore Woman’s Club Treasurer Heidi Dodd. “And now we have extended our scholarships to honor our gentlemen as well. And we’re just so proud of the work that our club does every year to generate money.”
Two students received the Cerita Metcalf Memorial Scholarship: Erik Cardenas of Elsinore High School and Juan Ramirez of Temescal Canyon High School. Cardenas plans to attend Cal State Fullerton, where he will major in cybersecurity and computer science. Ramirez plans to attend UC Santa Barbara, where he will study financial mathematics and statistics.
The Kennedie June Von Ryan scholarship was awarded to Haylee Harwood of Temescal Canyon High School. The scholarship honors Kennedie Ryan, a Temescal Canyon High School student and Elsinore Woman’s Club volunteer who passed away in a car accident during her senior year. Created in her memory, the scholarship recognizes students who reflect her involvement in school, sports and community activities.
Harwood plans to attend Cal State San Marcos and major in kinesiology with the goal of becoming a physical therapist.
The club also presented its STEM scholarship to Kevin Leiva of Elsinore High School, who plans to attend California Baptist University.
Other recipients included Enrique Valdovinos of Lakeside High School, Roxanna Osorio of Elsinore High School, Samantha Covarrubias of Temescal Canyon High School and Cody Closs of Ortega High School.
Valdovinos plans to attend UC Riverside, where he will major in mechanical engineering with a minor in construction management. Osorio will attend UCLA as a physiological science major and hopes to become a physician assistant after graduate school.
Covarrubias plans to attend Baylor University. Closs plans to pursue a career in marine engineering. He plans to begin his studies at Mt. San Jacinto College before transferring to a university.
Before the ceremony ended, several family members thanked the club for its support of local students.
“I want to thank all the ladies here,” said Juan Ramirez’s father. “You guys do a great thing for the community and all the students. And I just hope the best for my son and his future.”
“Muchas gracias a toda la organización que ayudó a mi hija y a todos los estudiantes,” said Roxanna Osorio’s mother. “Se los agradezco.”
Haylee Harwood’s mother said she was proud of her daughter’s accomplishments.
“She has continued to grow and achieve all she puts her mind to,” she said. “I hope she never gives it up.”
