AAUW Durango endowed three separate scholarships in honor of Virginia Schoser, Cheryl Jackson and Janet Watson. These endowments provide scholarships to non-traditional students to help them fees and tuition. In 2022 these three separate endowments were combined into one endowed fund, still honoring these three remarkable women.
THE AAUW CHERYL JACKSON SCHOLARSHIP
In 2012, this scholarship fund was named by the AAUW Board and fundraising for our third endowed scholarship began. Cheryl had a long time career as a teacher. After moving to Durango, she joined AAUW along with a number of other organizations.
Cheryl was a fine committed volunteer within the Durango Branch of AAUW. She had been a member of the AAUW scholarship committee and President of the chapter twice. One of those presidencies came at a time when membership was at an all time low and Cheryl resurrected the branch. She initiated the Fall Membership Luncheon. She authored special meetings in the spring for new graduates to meet prospective employers or future educators.
Cheryl was in charge of several Book and Author luncheons and managed teas for graduating students. She joined in the acting troupe of the historical program called Women of the San Juans playing a leading Madame of early Durango. She also acted in the AAUW production at Fort Lewis College Before Choice. In spite of suffering a stroke in 2011, Cheryl continued to enjoy visits from her family and friends and especially her fellow AAUW members. Cheryl died in October of 2020.
The AAUW Cheryl Jackson Scholarship was fully endowed at $25,000 in 2019. AAUW Durango is now offering help to other deserving students.
AAUW VIRGINIA SCHOSER SCHOLARSHIP
This was our first named scholarship, named while Virginia was still alive. However, not endowed until after she and husband Barney died, when they left their estate to education.
Virginia’s parents homesteaded west of Pagosa Springs where she and her 3 brothers were born. Her dad died when she was 10; her mother then moved the family to Ignacio for a teaching job.
After Virginia graduated from the teacher’s college in Greeley, she taught in many rural schools, later in Pagosa and was thrilled to be offered a job in Durango–the big city! She taught wherever she was needed for 37 years but 4th grade was her favorite and she was at Mason School for many years.
She married Barney in 1944. In 1946, the Durango Branch of AAUW was formed and she was a charter member, serving as president 1948-50. In 1952 the branch had enough money to fund a tuition scholarship to a girl from Dolores but they were not always successful in raising the necessary funds.
In the last week of her life at Four Corners Nursing Home, she was pleased to receive the certificate of life membership from AAUW for paying her dues for 50 years.
JANET WATSON AAUW SCHOLARSHIP
The Janet Watson Scholarship was endowed in 2012. When she died of cancer at 85, January 31, 2009, the scholarship had just been named and her daughters designated it as a memorial, which added donations of $1,000. to the scholarship. They donated the proceeds from the estate sale ($3,000.) and they each donated $3,000. ($9,000.) of their inheritance, which helped reach the endowment minimum quickly.
Janet graduated from University of Wisconsin in 1945 with high honors in speech therapy. She worked for the War Department, Borden General Hospital in Chickasha, OK, treating veterans with hearing impairments. There she married Lt. John Watson, M.D. After moving with the military, they settled in Durango in 1955 where Dr. Watson was the first radiologist.
Janet was very involved in the community, active in PTA, Girl Scouts, Great Books, reading groups; helped found United Way and was a longtime supporter and at one time a full time volunteer at Planned Parenthood. She also was a member of Tuesday Literary Club, Reading Club of Durango, was a founding member of Friends of Durango Public Library and a PEO member.
She was a 50 year member of AAUW, holding many offices, including Durango Branch presidency, 1966-68. Her last contribution was researching Virginia Schoser for a fundraiser. Not realizing her lack of energy was due to cancer, she had trouble finishing. Lou Falkenstein helped her complete the project and Judy Hook presented on September 20, 2008 for a brunch at Electra Lake Clubhouse. The proceeds went to the AAUW Scholarship Fund before it was named in honor of Janet Watson.
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Endowed Scholarship Alumnae
THE AAUW DURANGO BRANCH SCHOLARSHIP
- Malia Mischke 2024 – 2025
- Cassidy Goering 2024 – 2025
- Shandyn Gee 2023 – 2025
- Emilie Parker 2023 -2024
CHERYL JACKSON ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
- Emilie Parker 2021-2023
- Noel Romansky 2022
- Niviaaluk Brandt 2020-2021
- Cinnamon Hobbs 2019-2020
JANET WATSON ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
- Brittany Trepanier 2021-2022
- Carissa Hewitt 2018-2019
- Demerise K. Cormier 2016
- Beth Jennie Barnes 2015
- Kritessa Lee Barnett 2013
VIRGINIA SCHOSER ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
- Alicia Hansen 2020 – 2023
- Alicia Hanson 2019-2021
- Maddie Walton 2017-2018
- Hannah Howard 2016
- Andrea Dalla 2015
- Sarah Armstrong 2013-2015
- Vanessa B. Self 2011
- Darcy Alden 2010-2012
- Megan Leah Cody 2009
- Melissa Davis 2008
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Endowed Scholarship Recipients
Durango Branch of the AAUW Scholarship Fund 2025
Recipient of the 2023 through 2025 – Shandyn Gee
Shandyn Gee
Shandyn Gee has been attending Fort Lewis College working toward a degree in environmental engineering. She will graduate in the spring of 2025. She is from Phoenix, Arizona.
Shandyn has been involved with the Society of Women Engineers, dedicated to parity and quality in male-dominated fields. She has also traveled abroad to developing countries building water distribution systems. She has worked with clients in the Four Corners region designing and installing photovoltaic syolar systems.
Shandyn thanks her team of faculty and friends who have encouraged her to “hold her head higher in spite of her doubts and obstacles help her feel that anything is doable.”
She also is grateful for the AAUW scholarship and support from members.
AAUW Cheryl Jackson Scholarship Recipient – Emilie Parker
My name is Emilie Parker. I grew up in Colorado Springs. I am studying sociology as I hope to help people. My goal is to pursue an MSW after my undergraduate and eventually work as a social worker. When I’m not in school I enjoy getting outside whether that be biking, rafting, or hiking!
AAUW Janet Watson Scholarship Recipient – Brittany Trepanier
Brittany Trepanier is completing her sophomore year at Fort Lewis as a non-traditional student. She is originally from Albuquerque and has trained to become a Registered Dental Assistant. She was lucky enough to work in an office in Sydney, Australia and convinced by the office team to return to school. She is currently pursuing a degree in Cellular Molecular Biology to be prepared to take the DAT and be accepted into dental school. From her thank you letter:
“…not only has the scholarship eased the financial strain…I was having a hard time giving 100% in every class and becoming disappointed in my lack of motivation. When I received this award, I felt a wave of confidence and motivation to keep going rush over me.”
AAUW Virginia Schoser Scholarship Recipient – Alicia Hansen
As a non-traditional student, the balance between “real life,” so to speak, and pursuing a college education can be a bit chaotic to juggle, but kind-hearted individuals like yourselves [AAUW] willing to assist students truly helps lighten the load. I’m very excited to jump in and make my dreams a reality. It is through donations such as yours that this becomes possible. I deeply appreciate your willingness to help, and again, thank you so much.
Update 2022: Currently Alicia is continuing in her senior year with plans to graduate in December of 2022. She is in the graphic design and entrepreneur program. In addition she’s been using the extra time doing art and practicing new methods with watercolors, comics, and catching up on some photography projects. She has also been trying her hand at learning Japanese.