Soroptimist International of Eel River Valley has selected Malia Bolden, Tiara Russ and Kylee Fennell as its recent “Girls of the Month.”

Bolden and Russ are being honored for their achievements in leadership/student government and Fennell is being honored for her achievements in athletics.

Bolden, daughter of Vannyda Bolden, is a senior at Fortuna Union High School. In ninth through 11th grades, she was vice president of her class, and this year she was elected vice president of the Associated Student Body. She helps in planning dances and pep rallies, enjoys connecting with others on campus and motivating students to participate in school activities.

Bolden is president of the Black Student Union. Her goal is to make the club a safe place for Black students to come together and share experiences. She was also chosen for the Leadership Patch Award, which is given to one student from each grade.

Bolden was MVP of her soccer league, a scholar athlete and in 2022 was named homecoming queen and a semi-formal princess.

After graduation, she plans to attend college and obtain a bachelor’s degree in business and then a master’s degree in library science. She would like to be a librarian at a college university.

Russ, a senior at Ferndale High School, is the daughter of Candice Hofeldt and Quincy Russ.

She was the Associated Student Body secretary in ninth and 10th grades and the ASB reporter in 11th grade. This year, she is the ASB class treasurer and dance commissioner.

Russ is a member of the California Scholarship Federation and Leo Club. She’s also held numerous leadership positions in FFA, including serving as committee chairs, school board representative and section secretary. She is also a member of the Meats Evaluation Team. Russ was also selected the District 1 Second Alternate Dairy Princess.

She played on the varsity softball team and the varsity soccer team. In 2021-2022, she was named “Most Improved” in softball.

After graduation, Russ plans on attending Chico State University to get a degree in agriculture business. She would like to work at a Farm Credit office or a Farm Bureau.

Fennell is the daughter of Pete and Crystal Fennell. She is a senior at Fortuna Union High School.

In volleyball, she has been the starter all four years and was the captain for three years. She was named to the Humboldt Del Norte All-League in her junior and senior years. She also participates in basketball and softball. In basketball, she was the starter for two years and the captain for one year. In her junior year, she earned a H-DN honorable mention. She was a starter for three years for the varsity softball team, on the H-DN All-League her sophomore year and earned a H-DN honorable mention her junior year. Of all the sports she has been involved with, volleyball is her favorite.

Fennell also received an Academic Letter for having a 4.0 (or higher) GPA all four years of high school. After graduating, she plans to attend college to major in business or communications. She would like to become a teacher.