2023 scholarship opportunities for Grand Island women

Submitted by the Zonta Club of Grand Island

Zonta Club of Grand Island is offering two scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each to Grand Island women looking to advance their careers.

The first is the Career Advancement Scholarship, awarded to a Grand Island woman over 25 years of age, looking for financial assistance to upgrade skills to enter or reenter the work force, or to complete education for career advancement. This candidate must provide proof of acceptance for the intended course, program, workshop or seminar with the application.

The second scholarship is the Memorial Scholarship, awarded to an18-to-25-year-old woman from Grand Island, who is enrolled in a degree or certification program, but is not currently a high school senior.

Those interested in applying for these scholarships can contact Donna Graham at 716-697-1447 for an application. Three letters of reference and proof of participation in a career-enhancing program will be required. The application and accompanying paperwork will be due by May 15.

Veronica Connor Scholarship Award June 2022 Recipient: What Are They Up to Now?

Last June, Zonta awarded three $1,000 scholarships to Grand Island High School seniors. These scholarships were awarded on academic achievement, an essay submission, example of leadership, extracurricular activity and service to the community.

While the Class of 2022 was exceptional, three students were found to be examples of the Zonta mission of being strong leaders who support the community. It was our pleasure to award these scholarships to Rayna Wallens, Hayley Pizur and Ava Todaro.

Rayna is now a freshman at Ithaca College, where she is exploring her options in the health professions and competing with the school’s indoor and outdoor track teams. While at Grand Island High School, Rayna was captain of the varsity cross country team, and she participated in both indoor and outdoor track. At the same time, she volunteered both at school and in the community. 

Hayley is now at Daemen on a premedical track of study. Her tenure at Grand Island includes participating in cross country, outdoor track, student council, the wind ensemble and a variety of clubs.

Ava is described as a self-driven and hard-working student, who is pleasant and gets along with others. While at Grand Island High School, she was involved as a class officer, a student ambassador, and the art club president. She also participated in dance classes and worked at the local library. She is enrolled at the University at Buffalo and is following her passion of environmental engineering.

All three of these scholarship recipients maintained a high grade-point average throughout their four years of high school. They took both honors and Advanced Placement classes and were members of the National Honor Society. Their ability to balance work, school and extracurricular activities, while still giving back to the community through service, demonstrates the perseverance, dedication and caring that Zonta helps promote.

The Zonta Club of Grand Island is a proud member of Zonta International. This worldwide organization strives to support the advancement of all women and to support an end to violence against women. Zonta International was founded in Buffalo on Nov. 8, 1919. The Grand Island Club was established on Feb. 1, 1958, and it has been committed to this mission in our community since that time.