Oak Park alumna begins her professional career serving others

Next month Katie Edwards will begin her professional life helping others when she takes a position as a social worker with Riverside County's Child Protective Services.

But serving those in need is nothing new for this Oak Park High School graduate. After earning a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Washington, Edwards spent a year volunteering with VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America). She helped coordinate a project that placed high school and middle school students on probation or under suspension from school in various community service projects.

Last August, Edwards spent two weeks working with orphans at Lily of the Valley Children's Village in KwaZulu, South Africa, a facility that serves children orphaned by the AIDS pandemic.

Edwards received her master's degree in social work from Loma Linda University this month and was one of three student speak

ers at the university's baccalaureate service on June 10. While at Loma Linda, Edwards earned the Professional Leadership Award, the Wil Alexander Whole Person Care Award and an Academic Achievement Award.

She also served in student government as president of her class.