Soroptimists conduct a college, professional seminar for teenagers

CHRISTY MAYFIELD

If you can dream it, you can be it, was the theme of a recent Dream It, Be It, College and Career Workshop hosted by Soroptimist International of Oakdale for local teenage girls. Women from a variety of career paths and socioeconomic backgrounds have come together to meet and discuss the many different paths you can take to find a career that satisfies and challenges you. Highlights of the event included a live self-defense demonstration from the Oakdale Mixed Martial Arts Team, and the creation of dream and vision boards to highlight areas of interest and ability.

From Anna Pedrosa-Garcia, Director of Women’s Ministries at Modesto Evangelical Mission, who shares her story of rebuilding her life and finding a rewarding calling at Modesto Evangelical Mission, to Leslie Onsager, CEO and General Contractor of Realty Design Services, sharing how even now, she continues to face some sexism because she works in a male-dominated industry with young the women were presented with a variety of stories about how each of the speakers found their calling in the world and the obstacles they had to overcome to do so.

Pedrosa-Garcia shared how some of her early life decisions shaped her destiny. Although she admitted that having four children and going back to school at age 40 was not easy, she believes the struggle was worth the reward as she now gets the opportunity to help others grow and achieve things they never thought possible.

Christina Magana, an investigator with the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office, said she got into law enforcement by accident when she went to take tests to support her husband, who also wanted to join the police force, and was accepted into the academy, which is how she began her career in law enforcement . She reiterated that the path you set out on may not be the path you end up on, and that’s okay. The oldest of five children, she went to cosmetology school after graduating high school at her parents’ insistence, and even ran her own salon for a while, but found she wanted to do something else, but she just wasn’t sure what it was. . After spending many years in the field, she now works as an investigator in the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office, where she focuses on child abuse and intimate partner violence cases, and was recently recognized as a 2024 California Woman of the Year. year

Many panel members, including Stanislaus County Deputy District Attorney Margot Roen, reminded the group to say yes to challenges and opportunities, even if you’re not sure what that yes will lead to. Roen also reminded them, “Be confident in who and what you are. When an opportunity presents itself, say yes and focus on your principles, but don’t be afraid to step away to experience something else, because it enriches you as a person.”

Among the many avenues to take, the speakers reminded the young attendees that it’s important to follow your passions, the things that really speak to you and inspire you, because if you follow those inclinations, you’re more likely to find your true calling.

The full list of speakers is as follows: Colleen Hawkes-Pierce (musical theater teacher-performer), Anna Pedroza-Garcia (Director of Women’s Ministries at Modesto Gospel Mission), Domenica Escatel (UC Merced Medical Education Project Coordinator), Christina Magana (Stanislav County Prosecutor’s Office ), Margot Roen (Deputy Stanislaus County District Attorney), Kate Allen (Modesto Social Programs and Outreach Coordinator) and Leslie Onsager (CEO/Principle of Realty Design & Construction).

For more information on upcoming programs hosted by Soroptimist International of Oakdale, visit the Soroptimist International of Oakdale website.