Bailey McManus, Columbia Gorge Community College student and president of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, is Soroptomist International’s $5,000 Live Your Dream award recipient.
McManus was in competition for the award with students from Washington, Oregon, northern Idaho, Montana, and Alaska. She spoke at the April 23 Soroptomist Conference in Spokane, Wash., before a large audience and to a standing ovation as she told her story, her career plans, and thanked the Soroptomist organization for their recognition and support.
The Live Your Dream award has been an education and training award since 1972. In 2007, the program received the Associations Advance America Summit Award and The Center for Association Leadership’s highest level of recognition.
Judging is underway for the Soroptomist’s International level award of $10,000, of which McManus is eligible.
The following week, on April 29, McManus was honored as CGCC’s outstanding student by the All-State Community College Academic Team. The ceremony was held in Salem and sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, community college presidents, and community college state associations.
McManus is a manager at Wild Columbia Salmon in Hood River and a part-time librarian at CGCC, a single mother to her 1-1/2 year old son, Oliver, vice president of public relations for Gorge Windbags Toastmasters Club, a volunteer for the Next Door and for CGCC’s student government, a SMART fundraising participant, and a member of Gorge Wordslingers writing group. She enjoys hiking and horseback riding.
She is planning a career as a physician to assist communities in dire medical need. McManus is the daughter of Jackie McManus of White Salmon and Jeff Bailey of Lyle.
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