The Zonta Club of Hilo presented $2,500 in scholarships and awards to five Hawaii Island young women at the club’s June monthly business meeting.
The Zonta Club of Hilo presented $2,500 in scholarships and awards to five Hawaii Island young women at the club’s June monthly business meeting.
Three high school seniors were recognized for the Young Women in Public Affairs award and two University of Hawaii at Hilo students were awarded nursing scholarships.
The YWPA award recognizes young women committed to volunteering, who demonstrate leadership skills and are dedicated to empowering women and girls. Applicants are asked to reflect on their volunteer work and problems limiting advancement of the status of women in their community and worldwide.
Kamehameha-Hawaii senior Makena Wagner, received the first place $500 YWPA award; Waiakea High School junior Zoi Nakamura was second place and received $400; and Kamehameha-Hawaii senior Cassidy Kelii received $300.
Wagner will attend Smith College in Northampton, Mass., and Kelii will pursue a degree in political science on the mainland.
University of Hawaii at Hilo doctorate student Kealohaku‘ualohaku‘upoki‘i “Poki‘i” Balaz received the club’s $1,000 nursing scholarship. Balaz earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from UH-Manoa and master’s in nursing from Oklahoma City University.
Carola Geitner, a junior nursing student at UH-Hilo, received a $300 cash award.
To learn more about the Zonta Club of Hilo, visit zontahilo.org.