Equality gained through education is one of the main premises of the American Association of University Women Georgetown, according to the branch charter.

The organization has been contributing scholarships to young women bound for college since 2002, but in 2015 it revamped fundraising efforts, and as a result awarded $37,000 to 17 recipients over the past four years, member Mary Allen said.

Local seniors from Georgetown, East View and Richarte high schools are encouraged by school counselors to apply, and the AAUW values the counselors’ input, member Marsi Liddell said.

Between seven and 10 finalists are selected based on scholarship need, academic rigor and community support, and a panel of AAUW women conduct interviews to determine the winners. Typically three or four awardees are selected, Liddell said, but this year the group was unable to conduct interviews due to COVID-19, so all six finalists were awarded scholarships.

Part of the program’s recent financial success is due to rubber ducks, 300 of them racing down the San Gabriel River, to be precise. As part of the fundraising event, community members can purchase a duck for $10 each, with the total $3,000 going toward scholarships. The community has been supportive of the effort, and area businesses have contributed prizes for the race winners, Liddell said.