Zonta Club offers Amelia Earhart night at middle school

Guest Editorial by the Zonta Club of Grand Island

On March 5, students at Veronica Connor Middle School had the opportunity to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) during a special Amelia Earhart Night, thanks to a collaboration between Dr. Stacey (Schroeder) Watt, the Zonta Club of Grand Island, and a panel of accomplished professionals.

Watt, a distinguished Grand Island alumna and chief of service for the department of anesthesiology at Kaleida Health, is passionate about inspiring young minds – particularly young women – to pursue careers in STEM fields. Also a Grand Island Zonta member, she partnered with the organization that is dedicated to advancing women’s education and empowerment. They hosted this special annual event in honor of Amelia Earhart, the pioneering aviator and advocate for women in science and exploration.

The evening featured an impressive panel of speakers who shared their career journeys and insights, including Watt and:

•Cecelie Owens – Co-founder and president of the G.I.R.L.S. Sports Foundation Inc.

•Dr. Melissa Mroziak – veterinarian and Grand Island High School alumna

Each speaker provided students with a glimpse into the possibilities within STEM careers, reinforcing the message that education is a powerful tool capable of transforming lives, strengthening families, and empowering communities. They also incorporated how being involved in extracurricular activities, especially sports, helped empower them toward their academic and career goals.

Zonta’s Amelia Earhart Night underscores the organization's mission to ensure that education remains a human right and an avenue for gender equality. By connecting students with successful professionals, the event not only honored Earhart’s legacy, but also encouraged young learners to dream big and pursue their own groundbreaking paths in STEM.

Through initiatives like this, Watt and the Zonta Club of Grand Island are helping to shape the future of STEM – one inspired student at a time. As Earhart once said, “Everyone has oceans to fly if they have a heart to do it. Is it reckless? Maybe. But what do dreams know of boundaries?”

Thank you to all the amazing middle school students, parents, VCMS Principal Felicia Pallaci and Interim Assistant Principal Christina Heitz, who supported this event!