Malia Silva, who has completed her first year as student at the Hawaii Community College West Hawaii Nursing Program, was awarded $1,000 as the 2013 Zonta Club of Hilo nursing scholarship recipient. Samantha Hanabaga, a second-year student at the University of Hawaii at Hilo College of Pharmacy, received Zonta’s annual $1,000 math/science scholarship.
Malia Silva, who has completed her first year as student at the Hawaii Community College West Hawaii Nursing Program, was awarded $1,000 as the 2013 Zonta Club of Hilo nursing scholarship recipient. Samantha Hanabaga, a second-year student at the University of Hawaii at Hilo College of Pharmacy, received Zonta’s annual $1,000 math/science scholarship.
Applicants are asked to write a personal statement that reflects on the needs of a scholarship, academic interest, vocational plans, extracurricular activities and interest. Silva, an avid swimmer, found that she wanted to learn more about how the human body works and was drawn to the field of nursing.
Hanabaga, who received her undergraduate degree at UH-Hilo, has just completed her first year at the College of Pharmacy. She says, “I want to make a difference in life, to serve as a community health educator and consultant, my goal as a pharmacist is to integrate western and eastern medicine. I want to promote change and second chances to living a normal life.”
The Zonta Club of Hilo provides three annual scholarships, nursing, math/science and the Jane M. Klausman Women in Business along with the Young Women In Public Affairs Award. Zontians participates in a variety of projects including support of robotic programs in our schools, Weinberg Friends program and advocates on issues affecting women. This year the Hilo chapter is focusing on a Weinberg project at the Hope Services Inc., to help women in need. The club is one of 1,200 clubs with 31,000 members worldwide in 67 countries and areas.
Membership is available to executives and professionals committed to advancing the status of women through service and advocacy. Information on Zonta International and the Zonta Club of Hilo can be found on www.zonta.org or www.zontadistrict9.org, or contact President Tonya Ozone by phone at 747-9264.