The Soroptimist International of Auburn Club recently awarded $600 in the club’s Violet Richardson Awards to three Auburn students.

Lesley Hahn, 17, a senior at Auburn Mountainview High School, is this year’s winner and will receive $300, Hahn volunteers at her schools Key Club, serves as president of the Honor Society, and conducts work for UNICEF and Relay for Life while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

Auburn’s Jaymie Baunach and Jennifer Matson each received $150 as runners-up.

The Soroptimists launched the Violet Richardson Award program in 2000 as a way to recognize girls for their volunteer service to their communities. The program honors young women between the ages of 14 and 17 whose volunteer efforts include: helping other disadvantaged girls; fighting drugs, crime and violence; cleaning up the environment; and working to end discrimination and poverty.

The program is named after Violet Richardson Ward, the first president of the first Soroptimist club. Richardson Ward was committed to creating opportunities for girls and young women through her affiliations with Soroptimist, the Girl Scout Council and the American Association of University Women. Her passion for volunteer service, particularly as it affected women and girls, has been an inspiration to Soroptimists throughout the years.