Inaugural Soteras scholarships honor local students
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

PROUD- Alex Soteras, center, of the Agoura/Oak Park/Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, congratulates students who received $500 scholarships in honor of his mother, Pat Soteras, the late Chamber director. The recipients are, from left, Jennifer Palomino, 17, Thousand Oaks; Michael Pfeiffer, 18, Malibu; Danny Fischer, 18, Oak Park; Michael Doll, 18, Thousand Oaks; Erin Burke, 16, Ventura; Robert Iezza, 18, Westlake Village; and Sarah Clabeaux, 18, Westlake Village.

The inaugural Patricia Soteras student scholarship awards were presented last week at the Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas by local dignitaries and members of the Agoura/Oak Park/Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Soteras, who died in October 2006, was the Chamber's former executive director. She helped build the organization's membership from 200 five years ago to more than 1,500 today.

"There's a spirit of generosity here, like my mother had," Alex Soteras, Patricia's son, told the gathering. "I think all of you have that."

Master of ceremonies was Los Angeles Councilmember Dennis Zine.

Tony Strickland, former state Assembly member, asked that the students learn about the woman their scholarship honors.

"Your mom's legacy lives on," Strickland said to Alex Soteras. "I haven't met two greater parents than your mom and dad. The Strickland family loves you to death. And I hope you (the students) talk to Alex for stories about his mom."

The honorees each received a $500 scholarship as well as commendations from Zine, Assemblymember Audra Strickland (RWestlake Village), state Sen. Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks) and the United Chambers of Commerce.

The students are: Michael Doll and Robert Iezza from Westlake High School, Jennifer Palomino from Thousand Oaks High School, Daniel Fischer from Oak Park High School, Sarah Clabeaux from Agoura High School, Michael Pfeiffer from Calabasas High School and Erin Burke from Newbury Park Adventist Academy.

Erin, who was described by Karen Lysik as having a "gregarious spirit," said she had learned about the scholarship only days before the event.

"At first I was just really surprised, but I'm excited now," Erin said. Only a sophomore, Erin is unsure of what she plans to do in the future, but is debating becoming a physician.

Sarah Clabeaux was also surprised. "They recognized me at senior awards night," she said. "I had no idea. . . . I was really honored."

Sarah will attend UC-San Diego in the fall. She will study bioengineering, a premedical major, and hopes to go into the research and development field.

Westlake Village Councilmember Jim Bruno encouraged the scholarship winners.

"Today, there's a little bit of fog, a little bit of sun- we are in between seasons," Bruno said. "I just want you to know that this is one of the commas in the middle of a sentence. . . . It's good to sit back every now and then and know that someone's smiling at you and saying, 'well done.'"