03/08/2026
✨ What an AMAZING day at our Dreams & Decisions event! 3/7/2026✨
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Soroptimist International of Corona had the privilege of hosting an incredible group of 7th & 8th grade girls, and the energy, inspiration, and powerful stories shared throughout the day were truly unforgettable. 💜
We were honored to start the day with Corona Mayor Jacque Casillas, who shared a heartfelt message about balancing motherhood, leadership, and community service. She reminded the girls to stay positive, stand strong, and never let bullies define who they are. Her words were truly inspiring.
Dr. Thoibi Rublaitus shared her remarkable journey “from cloth to clouds.” Growing up in a small village in Northeast India and setting big goals for herself, she showed the girls how perseverance and determination can take you to incredible places—even to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, standing above the clouds.
The room came alive during our self-defense demonstration with martial arts legend Gabrielle Garcia and the amazing Rebecca Boyd. These two powerhouse women rocked the room, teaching the girls practical moves and important safety tips—like always staying aware of your surroundings and not walking with your eyes glued to your phone.
Sergeant Jessica Nagel inspired the girls with her story of joining the Sea Cadets at a young age and how the goals and decisions she made early in life helped shape her path of service. She encouraged the girls to set goals, never let anyone tell them they can’t do something, and to believe in the Girl Power we all have inside. She also reminded them that if you love what you do, you will never have to work a day in your life. Her message was clear: Yes, you can!
And then we heard the incredibly powerful story of Alesia Williams, whose strength and determination moved everyone in the room. After surviving a tragic DUI accident that left her with severe burns and more than 65 surgeries, she now dedicates her life to helping others overcome trauma, bullying, and adversity. Her courage was truly inspiring.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to these amazing women for pouring into the lives of our girls today.
And a very special thank you to everyone who worked behind the scenes to make this event possible — our emcees, audio/visual team, the ladies who brought the delicious food, Northgate Market for donating water & bread, those who purchased the wonderful prizes and giveaways, and everyone who visited the schools weeks in advance to promote the event, printed flyers, helped spread the word, and volunteered today with the setup and cleanup. Your hard work and dedication made this day possible. THANK YOU!
It truly takes a village. The hard work, dedication, and teamwork from our Soroptimist International of Corona members made this beautiful day possible, and together we made a meaningful difference in the lives of these young women.
💜 Together we are helping the next generation build confidence, courage, and big dreams.
🌸 Happy International Women’s Day! 🌸
