KAYSVILLE — After going through the death of her husband and raising four children, Bountiful resident Lisa Curless was presented with the Soroptimist international award of $10,000 in scholarship funds.

Curless has been a single parent and head of household for the past year-and-a-half. She received her award at the Bountiful Soroptimists’ first annual fall fashion show earlier this month.

“I woke up one morning and realized I have four kids, and I’m qualified to work at McDonalds,” she said.

Married early and with no insight to her husband’s financial situation, Curless has only a high school education. With money and support from the community, however, she has started school at Salt Lake Community College.

“I love school,” she said. “I grew up in Logan, and it’s really helping me to see the world differently.”

Curless had to go through several steps and placements before reaching this level of award from the Soroptimist Club. Bountiful club president Phyllis Robins said the international club has not had a winner of this award from Utah in many years.

“This is just an excellent experience,” said Curless.

Her award was part of the new fall fashion show, which the club has set up as another fund-raiser for the community. A silent auction is held as part of the show. The Bountiful club itself is best known for the “junque sale” and its Christmas Holiday Home Tour.

The funds raised from the Soroptimist group go toward a variety of organizations. The Bountiful Food Pantry, Operation Smile, The Literacy Action Center, Girl’s Sate and St. Olaf’s are just a few of the organizations that receive funding. Over this last year, the group has already raised close to $13,500 for these various causes.

During this year’s fashion show, The Temple Squares performed, Angel Shannon came as master of ceremonies and many women from other clubs attended. Models for the fashion show included Rep. Becky Edwards, Kaysville City Mayor Neka Roundy and Bountiful City Council member Beth Holbrook.

Drawings and winners from the silent auction were announced toward the end of lunch. The lunch was held at the Wight House in Bountiful.

sroberts@davisclipper.com