Deadlines are nearing to apply for the Women’s Opportunity Awards program, which is Soroptimist International’s major service project.The awards improve the lives of women by giving them the resources they need to improve their education, skills, and employment prospects, Soroptimist International of Courtenay says in a news release.Each year, Soroptimist clubs in 19 countries and territories assist women in overcoming personal difficulties and improving their lives through education and skills training.Candidates are women who provide the primary source of financial support for their families and who are enrolled in or have been accepted to a vocational or skills training program or an undergraduate degree program.Applicants must demonstrate financial need, and cannot have already earned an undergraduate degree. They may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, including books, fees, childcare and transportation.Forms are available at North Island College, Sprott-Shaw College, Wachiay Friendship Centre, the Women’s Resource Centre and Excel Career College in Courtenay.The application due date is March 4.• • •The Violet Richardson Award is given to young women whose volunteer activities make the community and world a better place. This award is based solely on volunteer work and honours a young woman who is committed to making the world a better place.This young woman, aged 14 to 17, is caring, compassionate, creative, and most of all, committed to making the world a better place. The application due date is March 4.For further inquiries regarding these two bursary programs, visit www.wcsoroptimist.org/programs. Contact Freida Lawson at 250-338-8010 for further information.• • •Contact your high school counsellor for a Soroptimist High School Graduation Bursary applications form if you are graduating this year, if you intend to continue your studies next year and if you are facing financial need in pursuing those studies.The application deadline April 15.— Soroptimist International of Courtenay