By Laurie Brazil

Bijou students are not only academically talented, but are selfless in their good works for our community.

On a recent Thursday morning at the Senior Center, fifth-grade teacher Bob Hickman brought along four of his dedicated female students to share and explain their hard work and vision to “pay it forward”.

Bijou has many fund-raising efforts in place, but the young ladies were there to introduce themselves and illuminate the members of the Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra about their yummy “Cookies for College” project. The girls — Rosa the student body president, Jennifer originally from El Salvador who has aspirations to be a doctor, Kimberly only a two-year resident of the United States intending to become a lawyer, and Melissa Lee born in Lake Tahoe and attending local schools since kindergarten — graciously spoke to the group at the organization’s early morning meeting. The intent of their cookie baking and selling project is to raise funds to present scholarships to graduating seniors heading off to college who are previous students at Bijou Community School.

Last year their bake sale program, in addition to recycling, walk-a-thons, and food drives, enabled the elementary students to present $650 scholarships to three local seniors.

Hickman, their enthusiastic mentor, thanked the assembled club for their encouragement in the past and their continued financial support of their enterprise. His devotion to these wonderful children was evident and to show the Soroptimist’s appreciation to the Bijou Community School’s student body the ingredients for several batches of chocolate chip cookies was gifted for future batches.

For more information or to purchase cookies, call(530) 543.2337 or visit www.ltusd.org. For Soroptimist information, visit www.sitahoesierra.org.

Laurie Brazil is a member of Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra.