Continuing a proud tradition of helping the community, the Issaquah Women’s Club is offering “Follow Your Dream” scholarships this spring to six local high school women

Female seniors at Issaquah High School, Liberty High School, Skyline High School and Tiger Mountain Community High School are eligible for the scholarship prize, worth $1,000 each.

Club President Mariann Crane said her organization of over 90 members sought to help fulfill the needs of the community and sees the scholarships as an important commitment to Issaquah. The Issaquah Women’s Club increased the number of scholarships from four to six this year, to match the ever rising need to pay for college or vocational school.

“It’s increasing each year,” she said. “Last year we had 50 applications.”

Applications can be downloaded from the Issaquah Women’s club Web site at www.issaquahwomensclub.org or they can be obtained from any of the career centers at all Issaquah School District high schools. Students are required to write a short essay on educational and career goals, demonstrate a financial need and provide a copy of their scholastic record or transcript. The application deadline is May 3, 2010.

While most of the club’s work during the year is focused on supporting several service and charity projects, the club also emphasizes friendship and socializing at their monthly gatherings. The scholarships, for example, are paid for from funds raised during the club’s gala social event in November, a High Tea and Silent Auction.

Established in 1983, the organization got its start as an extension of the local Wagon Wheel Club, said Issaquah Women’s Club founding member Virginia Miller.

“After you’ve been around for a few years, you’re not a newcomer,” she said. “We originally said we’d be a group of women doing things for the community and we’re going to have fun doing it. And we still have fun.”

This year, it collected 133 pounds this year for the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank, bought Christmas presents for a group of children at the Echo Glen Children’s Center in Snoqualmie, and provided socks and toiletries for the Eastside Domestic Violence Program.

“We don’t do things that other clubs do,” said Miller. “We try to fill in. We’re the ladies.”

The next Issaquah Women’s Club is already in the works: The annual “Baskets and Buddies” fundraising event at 9 a.m., April 1, with all of the proceeds donated to charity.

The Issaquah Women’s Club meets first Thursdays of the months September through May at Tibbetts Creek Manor, located at 750 17th Ave. Northwest.